I can’t count how many times I’ve been told that I was “too much.” Maybe you’ve heard it too. Maybe it was in a relationship, with a friend, or even from a family member who just didn’t understand the intensity of who you are. For a long time, those words felt like a weight I couldn’t shake off, like I was too loud, too passionate, too emotional, too big for the spaces I was in.
But here’s the truth I wish I had known sooner: You are not too much. The world just hasn’t learned how to hold all of you yet.
I’ve always felt things deeply—love, joy, anger, sadness, everything. And for a long time, I believed that these emotions were something to hide or suppress. I learned to bottle them up because I was told they were too intense, too overwhelming for the people around me. But what if our big feelings are exactly what the world needs?
We live in a society that often prioritizes calmness and composure over authenticity. But there’s power in being emotionally alive, in feeling the full spectrum of life. Our emotions are our internal compass, guiding us through our experiences and helping us connect more deeply with others.
When I started embracing my emotions rather than hiding them, I noticed something beautiful. I felt more aligned with myself, more in tune with my needs, and more connected to the people who could see and understand the depth of who I am.
If you’ve ever felt like your energy is too much for the people around you, I want you to know this: Your energy is not a burden, it’s a gift.
I used to think my enthusiasm, my drive, my need to fully engage with the world was something that others found exhausting. But in reality, my energy was something that drew the right people into my life, people who embraced me for who I am. My energy makes me me—and when I let myself shine, I give others the permission to do the same.
Your energy—whether it’s calm and steady or vibrant and expansive—is a reflection of your inner world. It’s unique to you, and there is no one else who can offer it to the world in the same way. So don’t shrink it down to fit into someone else’s idea of what’s “appropriate.” Let your light shine, even when it feels like it’s too bright for the moment.
No matter how big or intense your feelings get, know that you are safe. It’s easy to feel like you’re walking on eggshells when you’re not sure how others will react to your emotions or your energy. But there are spaces—communities, friendships, even moments with yourself—where you can simply be.
You don’t have to apologize for who you are or how you feel. It’s okay to be emotional, to have bad days, or to let your vulnerability show. There are people who will understand and love you through it all. And the most important relationship you can have is the one with yourself—where you honor and nurture your feelings instead of apologizing for them.
For some reason, many of us are conditioned to believe that strong emotions make us volatile or dangerous. That’s a myth I had to break free from. I was told my anger, my sadness, my frustration were signs of weakness or instability, but those emotions were just a reflection of my human experience. They didn’t make me unstable—they made me real.
You can be angry and still be kind. You can be sad and still be strong. Your emotions don’t have to be seen as a threat to others; they are simply a part of your journey, and they are allowed to exist in their fullness. Allowing yourself to feel gives you the freedom to heal, grow, and transform.
I used to shrink myself to fit into spaces where I didn’t belong. I felt like I needed to make myself smaller, quieter, and less noticeable to avoid making others uncomfortable. But here’s what I’ve learned: The world is big enough for you to take up space.
Whether it’s in your career, your relationships, or your own personal growth, you deserve to be fully present. You don’t have to minimize your voice, your dreams, or your needs. You are allowed to take up space in every room you enter and every conversation you’re a part of. You bring value, and your presence is a gift.
When you embrace who you are—fully, unapologetically—the world becomes a richer, more vibrant place. We are all here to contribute something unique, something that only we can offer. Maybe it’s creativity, a kind word, a unique perspective, or a deep love for life. Whatever it is, the world needs it.
I used to think that if I was too much, I wouldn’t be accepted or valued. But the truth is, the world thrives on the uniqueness of each individual. You have something to offer, something that the world is waiting for, whether it’s a spark of creativity, a moment of kindness, or the raw truth that others are too afraid to speak.
In a world that tells us to play it safe, to stay small, and to blend in, it can feel like the only way to be accepted is by shrinking ourselves. But what I’ve discovered is that playing small doesn’t serve anyone. It doesn’t serve you, and it certainly doesn’t serve the world.
You don’t need to apologize for the space you take up. You don’t need to quiet your voice. You don’t need to be anything other than the fullest version of yourself. So, don’t hold back. Speak your truth. Show your big feelings. Let your energy fill the room. The world needs what you have. And you are worthy of taking up all the space you need.
You are not too much. You are enough, just as you are. So stop apologizing for your energy, your emotions, and your presence. Let yourself be full, let yourself be big, and let yourself be YOU.
If you’ve been told you’re “too much,” I want you to remember this: You are exactly what the world needs. Your feelings are valid, your energy is beautiful, and you are allowed to take up space.
Never dim your light for anyone. You are more than enough.
Reach out if you need someone to talk to—I’m here for you. 💖
– Carley Ward, Desert Consulting