Striking the balance between transparency and oversharing | My personal journey

I've often found myself in conversations wondering if I've said too much. It can be a tricky balance... wanting to be open and be my authentic self, but ending up oversharing in ways that leave me feeling vulnerable. As someone who lives with Tourette’s, autism, and ADHD, I’ve realised that my struggles with reading social cues and understanding the boundaries of conversation are part of a much bigger picture...

For me, I’m left wondering if anyone else with similar conditions finds it hard to strike the right balance? I want to use this space to share a little of what I’ve learned and to learn from you, too.

Tourette’s and oversharing

Living with Tourette’s, which involves physical and vocal tics, can sometimes lead to feelings of self-consciousness - especially in social situations. I often feel the need to explain my tics to others, but in trying to give context, I sometimes over-explain and end up sharing too much. This isn’t something I do on purpose, but it’s my way of making sure others understand what’s going on and to avoid misunderstandings. This is where the line between transparency and oversharing becomes hard to define...

Autism and understanding social cues

For people like me, with autism, there’s often a challenge around the unspoken rules of social interaction. Many social cues aren’t obvious, and it’s easy to miss the subtle signals that help others navigate conversations smoothly. This can make it hard to know when to share and when to hold back. For example, I find that my desire to be open and transparent can sometimes lead to saying more than is appropriate...

In these moments, it’s not about wanting to overshare - it’s about finding it tough to spot where the line is drawn.

It’s not just about words

ADHD and impulsivity in conversations

ADHD adds another layer to this. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is impulsivity. I often find myself speaking before I’ve fully thought through what I’m saying, which can lead to sharing more than I planned. It’s not just about words; sometimes I struggle to pick up on the cues that the conversation has shifted or the topic needs to change. My focus is pulled in multiple directions, and it can be easy to miss those important social markers.

Can you relate?

I’d love to know - do you find it difficult to find the balance between openness and oversharing? What strategies do you use to navigate this, especially in the workplace? I’ve found that being in a supportive environment makes a world of difference, but I’m curious to hear how others have managed this.

For me, learning to self-regulate and read social situations more carefully has been helpful, but it’s still a work in progress. How has your workplace supported you in finding that balance?

Let’s start a conversation about how we manage these experiences and the role of supportive, inclusive workplaces in making that easier.

#Transparency #Oversharing #TouretteSyndrome #Autism #ADHD #Neurodiversity #Accessibility #WorkplaceInclusion #PeopleFirst #DisabilityInclusion #SupportiveWorkplace