Key Takeaways:

• Dopamine traps often mask deeper unmet needs for connection, safety, and belonging.
• External validation can offer a temporary high, but often leaves us feeling more depleted in the long run.
• Highly sensitive people (HSPs) and neurodivergent individuals may experience micro-rejections more intensely, increasing their reliance on outside reassurance.
• Social media can be both a connection tool and a comparison minefield, recognizing the difference is key.
• Self-validation and cultivating awareness of your unique needs are essential to break free from harmful validation loops.
• Being selective about your environment, who and what you engage withmcan help create a life that supports rather than depletes your nervous system.
• Compassionate curiosity can help us notice our habits without shame and shift toward true connection.

Connect with Alyssa Scarano:

Alyssa’s website: https://www.collective-therapy.com

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram