Some people reveal too much about themselves, too quickly. This can be because they crave closeness and attention, even if it means risking their own safety by sharing secrets they should keep to themselves.
Oversharers can be fun and interesting in social situations. They skip the small talk about everyday things and dive straight into personal and intense topics. They might tell you about their ex-partner’s problems, family disputes, health issues, or childhood traumas right after meeting you.
However, oversharing can be harmful to the person who does it. After an evening of telling all, they might wake up feeling embarrassed and regretful. They realize they let an impulse take over, sharing too much with people they barely know.
This behavior often stems from a difficult past. People who overshare may have experienced loneliness or grown up in environments where genuine connection was rare. They haven’t learned the slow, steady path to intimacy and might not recognize the dangers of revealing too much too soon. They crave connection so much that they overlook the need for boundaries.
To protect themselves, oversharers can learn to keep some things private. It’s okay to take time to get to know someone before sharing deep personal stories. Talking about lighter topics, like weekend activities or hobbies, is perfectly fine and not a sign of being boring. It’s about ensuring that only those who truly deserve to know our deepest selves get that privilege.
By being more careful about what we share and with whom, we prioritize our own well-being. We learn that we don’t need to answer every personal question or feel bad about having ordinary conversations. This way, we can gradually figure out who is genuinely trustworthy and deserving of our intimate thoughts and feelings.
Vocabulary:
Oversharing (noun): Revealing too much personal information.
Crave (verb): To have a strong desire for something.
Closeness (noun): Being close to someone emotionally.
Impulse (noun): A sudden strong desire to do something.
Regretful (adjective): Feeling sorry about something that happened.
Loneliness (noun): Feeling sad because one has no friends or company.
Intimacy (noun): Close familiarity or friendship.
Source : TED-Ed