17. Too Festive to Be Fine – Navigating Sensory Overload, Social Pressure and Christmas Burnout

Ever felt like you’re too overwhelmed, too overstimulated or too burnt out to enjoy something that’s meant to be magical?Yeah. Us too.In this episode of Too Much Apparently, we (Carly and Alice — two therapists and recovering perfectionists with squishy brains) get real about sensory overload, festive pressure, and why so many sensitive or neurodivergent humans quietly fall apart during December.We unpack our own resistance, spiral in real-time about supermarkets and Christmas markets, and share what it’s like to want a cosy, joyful season while also being desperate for silence, space, and absolutely no more flashing lights.This time we talked about:🎙️ We’ve felt this thing too (and we still do):Hello crowds, blaring music, intense smells, frantic shoppers, and the pressure to be “festive enough”.👀 What it looks like in real life:Christmas markets that feel like chaos, supermarket sprints, gift-giving panic, sensory hangovers, food stress, social fatigue.🧠 Why our brains do it:Neurodivergent sensory processing, nervous system overwhelm, masking, emotional labour, pressure to perform festive joy, December burnout.🧍🏽‍♀️🧍🏻 The different ways it shows up:Snappiness, headaches, shutdowns, avoidance, irritability, overstimulation, guilt, and the urge to hibernate until January.🧰 Coping mechanisms:Online shopping, sensory breaks, simplifying traditions, boundaries with events, regulating routines, choosing comfort over expectations.🌱 How to make peace with it:Honouring your nervous system is more important than performing festive cheer.Thanks for listening💛💜🩷🩵🧡💬 New episodes every Monday.🎧 Follow now to join the conversation.🧡 CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ Podcast socials: → Instagram: @toomuchapparently → TikTok: @toomuchapparently → YouTube: Too Much, Apparently → Website: www.toomuchapparently.com👩‍💻 Carly Radford: → Website: www.carlyradford.com → Instagram: @the_sensitivity_therapist👩🏻‍💻 Alice Tew: → Website: www.alicetew.com → Instagram: @reparentingwithalice📩 Email us: [email protected] 🗓️ New episodes every MondayThis is a podcast that says: bring your too-muchness… we’re here for it.Disclaimer: Just a quick note to say this podcast isn’t therapy, and it’s not a substitute for professional support. We’re here to share ideas and experiences, but if you’re struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a support service near you.—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------sensitivity podcast, overthinking podcast, therapy podcast, belonging podcast, mental health podcast, deep chat podcast, neurodivergent podcast, autism podcast, adhd podcast, christmas podcast, feeling different podcast, people pleasing podcast, authenticity podcast, friendship podcast