In this episode of Safely Divergent, Kirstie and Eleanor get wildly honest about something that might sound silly until you realize… oh wait, that’s me too. We’re talking about empathy for inanimate objects. From childhood stuffed animals that needed tornado evacuation plans, to shampoo bottles that got equal turns in the shower, to sweaters that can’t be left behind at the store — this one hits right in the feels.

They dig into what psychologists call object personification (and the slightly fancier anthropomorphism) and why autistic and neurodivergent folks often experience it more strongly. Through a polyvagal and self-regulation lens, objects can offer predictability, safety, and comfort in ways people sometimes can’t. But that same tenderness can make decluttering or letting go of items feel like heartbreak.

Alongside personal confessions, listener-style stories, and a detour into Brave Little Toaster nostalgia, Kirstie and Eleanor explore both the beauty and the weight of carrying empathy this deep. You’ll hear practical suggestions for navigating the “too much” moments, including rituals for letting go, checking your headspace before decluttering, and calling in trusted people who validate instead of logic you out of your feelings.

Then, in the Scattered segment, Eleanor pulls back the curtain on the surprising origins of the balloon arch — from Cher’s Malibu tennis court to today’s Instagram-worthy party decor empire. It is as delightfully random as it sounds.

🕒 Timestamps
00:20 – Object personification: what it is & why it happens
03:20 – Polyvagal safety, self-regulation, and empathy overload
06:30 – Childhood stories, rocks, shampoo bottles & stuffed animals galore
12:00 – Adult life: clothes, jars, lotions & decision fatigue
18:15 – Community confessions: Reddit threads & Brave Little Toaster love
22:00 – Tools for decluttering without shame (rituals, reminders, safe people)
25:35 – 🎈 Scattered: The strange history of balloon arches

Resources & Mentions
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Read the blog: ⁠safelydivergent.com⁠
Cover art: Honor Heindel
Music by: Obey Grey