Why Hyperfixations Can Be Healing: Turning Passions Into Coping Skills
Caroline Rucker Caroline Rucker

Why Hyperfixations Can Be Healing: Turning Passions Into Coping Skills

Have you ever found yourself diving deep into a hobby, TV show, or niche interest - so much so that it feels like your whole world for a period of time? That’s what many people call a hyperfixation. While the word is often associated with ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence communities, hyperfixations aren’t exclusive to any one group! In fact, they’re a completely human experience, and they can be fun, therapeutic, and even a valuable coping skills.

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Conrad vs. Jeremiah: When a Shutdown Feels like a Rejection
Caroline Rucker Caroline Rucker

Conrad vs. Jeremiah: When a Shutdown Feels like a Rejection

If you’ve been following The Summer I Turned Pretty (like me), you’ve most likely had very strong feelings about the love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah. Some people root for Jeremiah’s open-heartedness and outgoing personality, while others feel pulled towards Conrad’s brooding intensity.

But what makes Conrad controversial at times, and yet so compelling, is his safety protocol of shut-down.

When Conrad gets flooded emotionally, instead of opening up, he retreats. He pulls away from Belly, leaving her hurt and confused, and questioning what she means to him. To someone on the outside, this looks like coldness or disinterest. But underneath, Conrad’s withdrawal is a defense mechanism… which is where fiction mirrors real life.

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