EP:183 | In this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I’m breaking down what it really means to be a sensory seeker—and why this might be the missing link in understanding your nervous system. You’ve probably already heard about regulation, dysregulation, and fight or flight, but almost no one is talking about the sensory system as the language of your brain and body. That’s where everything changes.

I’m sharing from my own lived experience as both a sensory seeker and a sensory avoider, and why your “too muchness” is actually a sign of a brilliant, fast-moving brain—not that you’re broken, lazy, or destined for burnout.

We’ll talk about:

What a sensory seeker really is and how it shows up in adults (constant multitasking, needing movement, noise, pressure, novelty) How these patterns are often misunderstood as ADHD, impulsivity, distraction, or “bad behavior” How this same wiring can lead to overworking, anxiety, burnout, emotional eating, and feeling like you can never slow down Why things like weighted blankets, movement, heavy work, music, and oral input (like chewing, crunching, gum) can be powerful regulating tools The difference between quick fixes (like “reset your nervous system in 30 seconds”) and the real, long-term work of actually rewiring your nervous system How to stop fighting your brain and start working with it so you can finally feel calmer, clearer, and more at peace in your own body I’ll also share honestly about my own 7–8 year journey of learning how to step off the gas pedal, find the brakes, and “throttle” between the two—so I’m not living in constant peaks and crashes, but more like rolling hills.

If you recognize yourself (or your child) in this episode, I want you to know this: You are not too much. You are not broken. Your brain is wired for more input, more movement, and more life—and when you learn how to support it, that becomes your superpower.

If this episode hit home for you, share it with someone who has been labeled “too much”—a friend, a partner, or a parent raising a high-energy kiddo. And if you’re ready to go deeper and learn how to regulate your unique nervous system (not just follow generic Instagram tips), make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and come connect with me on Instagram @brookeweinst for more real-talk about the brain, body, and parenting.

Links & Resources:

📘 Check out more episodes of Thrive Like a Parent - https://drbrookeweinstein.com/thrive-podcast/ 📸 Follow Dr. B on Instagram - https://bit.ly/48VZI5e 🌐 Visit our website for more resources on self-care and well-being - https://drbrookeweinstein.com

#SensorySeeker #NervousSystemRegulation #ThriveLikeAParent #TooMuchIsYourSuperpower #Neurodivergent #ADHDorSensory #EmotionalEating #HighAchievers #SensoryParenting #RegulateDontFix

EP:182 In this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I’m diving deep into one of the biggest reasons so many of us feel exhausted, resentful, and burnt out: regulating externally instead of internally.

I’m breaking down the difference between the two in real-life, practical terms. When we regulate externally, we rely on our partners, kids, parents, friends, or even the state of our house to determine how we feel. We wait for someone else to notice we’re drowning, to give us permission to rest, to step in and take over. And when they don’t? We feel angry, unseen, and completely overwhelmed.

I share how this showed up in my own life—how I used to abandon myself over and over again, scheduling everything around my family, believing my worth came from doing more, people-pleasing, and hoping that one day someone would finally “get it” and take care of me the way I needed. Spoiler: that moment never came… until I decided to become the one who takes care of me.

We’ll talk about:

Why your partner (or kids, or parents) are not mind readers—and why expecting them to be is wrecking your nervous system How external regulation fuels resentment, burnout, and emotional explosions with your kids and partner The internal shift that happens when you start asking, “How do I feel? What do I need?” and actually trust the answer Why it feels so uncomfortable at first to set boundaries, receive help, and stop over-functioning for everyone else How trial and error, small experiments, and tiny acts of self-honoring build a completely new pattern in your brain Why your hobbies, preferences, and “little joys” aren’t frivolous—they’re actually nervous system regulation tools I also share a personal story from early in my marriage, when our therapist gave us an exercise where Jonathan had to cook dinner and I had to practice simply receiving. I walk you through how hard it was for me not to control, fix, or “help,” and how that moment revealed just how deeply I was stuck in external regulation and self-abandonment.

By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to:

Identify whether you’re regulating externally or internally Start asking better questions of yourself: What do I feel? What do I need? Can I give this to myself? See where resentment in your relationships might actually be a sign that it’s time to take radical responsibility for your own nervous system Begin shifting from relying on everyone else… to trusting that you can hold, support, and care for you This isn’t about becoming hyper-independent or never asking for help. It’s about learning to anchor yourself first, then intentionally and clearly asking for what you need—without outsourcing your worth or your regulation to the people around you.

If you are tired of feeling like you’re treading water, waiting for someone to throw you a life raft, this episode will show you how to build your own.

If this episode hit home for you, I want you to do two things:

Pause after listening and check in with yourself: Ask, “How do I feel right now? What do I need?”—and then give yourself one small thing that supports your nervous system today.

Share this episode with another parent who is drowning in resentment, burnout, or “doing it all.” Screenshot the episode, tag me @drbrookeweinstein, and tell me one way you’re going to start regulating internally instead of externally.

If you’re ready to go deeper into this work and truly repattern your nervous system, come work with me inside my programs—head to my website or the link in the show notes to get started.

#ThriveLikeAParent #DrBrookeWeinstein #ParentingPodcast #MomBurnout #BurnoutRecovery #EmotionalRegulation #NervousSystemRegulation #GentleParenting #ConsciousParenting #CycleBreaker #PeoplePleasingRecovery #BoundariesAreHealthy #SelfWorthJourney #MentalHealthForMoms #OverwhelmedMoms #ParentingSupport #AnxietyAndParenting #RegulateDontExplode #InternalRegulation #SelfAbandonmentRecovery

EP:181 In this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I’m getting more honest and vulnerable than I ever have about my past marriage to Jonathan and what our relationship was really like behind closed doors.

If you’ve ever felt like:

You are the emotional punching bag in your relationship Your partner’s needs always come first You’re doing everything for everyone and it’s still never enough You’re exhausted, resentful, and lying awake thinking, “I can’t believe this is my life” …then you are going to feel very seen in this conversation.

I share:

How I slowly became the caretaker, peacekeeper, and problem-solver for everyone but myself The core moments when I realized, “I don’t matter in this relationship” What it felt like to be constantly walking on eggshells, trying not to upset or disappoint my partner The moment I decided I would no longer be the punching bag How sensory and emotional regulation helped me reclaim my self-worth, set boundaries, and change the dynamic in my home Why 99% of my clients see their partnerships improve when they start doing this work—even when their partner doesn’t join them Why I’m part of the “1%” whose relationship did not survive, and why I still consider that a powerful, self-honoring outcome This isn’t an episode about blaming one person. It’s about seeing the dynamic clearly, understanding how your brain and nervous system are operating, and realizing you do not have to keep abandoning yourself to keep the peace.

If you are:

Staying “for the kids” Minimizing your pain because “it’s not that bad” Silently suffering in a relationship almost no one knows the truth about Scared to change anything, but even more scared to stay exactly where you are I want you to know this: you are not crazy, you are not broken, and you are not “too much.” You are allowed to want more. You are allowed to get support. You are allowed to do it scared.

If this episode makes you think of someone who might be struggling in silence, please share it with them. They may not be ready to talk yet, but they deserve to know they are not alone.

❤️ Ready for support? You do not need your partner’s permission to get help.

👉 Work with my team: [add your link or contact info] 👉 Learn more about our programs: [add link]

🔔 Stay connected 👉 Subscribe to the channel for more episodes on nervous system regulation, parenting, and relationships. 👉 Like this video if it resonated with you—it helps more people find this message. 👉 Comment below: What part of this episode hit home for you the most?

Links & Resources:

📘 Check out more episodes of Thrive Like a Parent - https://drbrookeweinstein.com/thrive-podcast/ 📸 Follow Dr. B on Instagram - https://bit.ly/48VZI5e 🌐 Visit our website for more resources on self-care and well-being - https://drbrookeweinstein.com

#ThriveLikeAParent #BrookeWeinstein #RelationshipDynamics #ToxicRelationships #EmotionalAbuse #PeoplePleasing #NervousSystemRegulation #SelfWorthJourney #WomensMentalHealth #MomLife #MarriageStruggles #DivorceRecovery #HealingJourney #Boundaries #AnxietySupport #DepressionAndRelationships #CycleBreaker #YouAreNotAlone