Too Much? Nah, Just Enough to Make You Uncomfortable
Grab a charcuterie board and sit with your feelings—I'll be over here thriving in my emotions.
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Words Are Just as Powerful as Sticks and Stones (But Way More Creative)
You’ve heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That’s a whole lot of nonsense. Words are just as powerful as a brick to the face, but with way more finesse. They can land the hardest blows, twist your insides, and, worst of all, they can stick with you long after the moment has passed.
So, let’s get one thing straight: words can—and do—hurt. But they also have the potential to heal, change, and empower. And now that I’ve finally realized my emotional superpowers (yes, I am that emotional), I'm here to stop apologizing for it.
“You’re Too Much!” Yeah, Well, You’re Not Enough.
Oh, the golden classic: “You’re too emotional!” I’ve heard it all. And frankly, I’m over it. My big emotions? They’re real, and they’re a gift. But for so many years, I was told I was just "too much"—too sensitive, too loud, too deep, too everything. And the worst part? I believed them.
I remember the charcuterie board incident. Ah, the charcuterie board. I spent hours picking the perfect cheeses, meats, nuts, olives—oh, and don’t forget the spreads. This wasn’t just a snack; it was an art form. But no one cared about my cheesy masterpiece. No. I was met with: "Why did you put olives on there? No one likes olives."
Excuse me? I slaved over this thing for hours, and all I get is a critique about olives? Listen, I know olives aren't for everyone, but it’s the principle of the thing. When you put your heart into something and someone just shuts it down—yeah, that stings. But I’ve learned: people’s offhand comments don’t define me. Unless you’re asking for a critique of your poorly made charcuterie, keep it to yourself.
And don’t even get me started on the “now is not the time” remark. I wanted to reminisce about my grandmother—because guess what? I was feeling something. But no. “Not the time.” Well, when is the time, exactly? Do I need to get out my emotional calendar and pencil in crying about memories for next Tuesday at 3 p.m.?
The Impact of Suppressing It All
For years, I stopped sharing my emotions with others. Not just the people who told me I was too much. I stopped sharing with my family—you know, the people I thought would understand me the most. I locked it all inside, buried it under “I’m fine” and “Everything’s good!” (Spoiler: I was not fine, and nothing was good). And let me tell you, that took a huge toll.
They say suppressing your emotions isn’t healthy, and I’m here to tell you: that’s an understatement. Mentally, emotionally, and physically, I felt like I was drowning in all of it. If you don’t believe in chakras, that’s fine. But I’m telling you, mine were screaming at me. My body was like, “Can you please just feel something?” Meanwhile, I was too busy trying to look like I had my life together.
Eventually, I started avoiding people, places, and things that triggered me. I didn’t want to deal with the emotional fallout. And that’s when the darkness started creeping in. Depression hit hard, and I felt like I was walking through life in a fog. I thought to myself, Would anyone even care if I was gone?
(PSA: Please, please reach out to someone if you’re ever feeling this way. There’s always someone who cares, and sometimes it’s just about finding the right people.)
Numbing the Pain: A Terrible Temporary Fix
So, what did I do? I turned to alcohol and drugs. Because nothing says “self-care” like self-destructive coping mechanisms, right? I numbed the pain, the noise, the constant emotional whiplash. I wanted to feel nothing. Nothing was better than feeling like I was being dragged through an emotional minefield, right?
But here’s the thing about numbing: it only works for so long. Eventually, it backfires. I was tired—tired of trying to be someone I wasn’t. I was exhausted from suppressing every part of me that made me, well, me.
But here’s the real kicker: I had to face the truth. The problem wasn’t me being “too much” or “too emotional.” The problem was how others handled my feelings. Not my responsibility. Their responsibility.
Embracing My Emotions (And Maybe Overwhelming You in the Process)
So, here I am. Making a decision to finally be unapologetically me. I’m going to feel my emotions, and I’m going to express them. Will I overwhelm some people? Probably. And you know what? That’s okay. If my emotions are too much for someone to handle, that’s a reflection of them, not me.
Look, sometimes I’ll cry over a movie that’s not even that sad. Sometimes I’ll rant about something completely trivial. I’m going to laugh loudly, and I might even talk about my grandmother a little too much. But if that bothers you—maybe it’s time to reflect on why that is, instead of blaming me for being a little extra.
I’m done trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t serve me. And you should be too. Be yourself. Be bold. If someone can’t handle it, that’s not your problem. That’s their growth opportunity. Let them work through their issues while you keep being your fabulous, emotional, authentic self.
The Anxiety Medication Dilemma
Now, I’m still figuring things out when it comes to managing my anxiety and depression. Should I try going off my meds? Maybe. Last time I tried, things didn’t go so well, so for now, I’m sticking with them while exploring other ways to boost my mental health. It’s a process. And guess what? That’s totally fine.
You don’t have to have everything figured out in one day. Some things take time. Some things take work. But one thing I know for sure: You do have the power to take control of your emotions, to stop letting others dictate how you should feel, and to embrace your journey—emotions, imperfections, and all.
If This Hits Home, Here's What to Do
If you’re reading this and nodding your head like, “Yup, I’ve been there,” here’s my advice: Don’t bottle it up. Talk to someone—find a therapist, join a support group, or just vent to a friend who actually gets it. Don’t let anyone tell you that your feelings aren’t valid. You’re allowed to be emotional. You’re allowed to be human.
And if you’re feeling like you’re stuck in a rut, emotionally numb, or overwhelmed by the weight of it all, please don’t suffer in silence. Reach out, because there’s support, and there’s hope. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Remember: You are not “too much.” You are just enough.
And hey, if anyone tells you differently? Tell them to go choke on a fart.
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