How do the neurotypicals know when they have an unmet emotional need?

I know because I get a flood of energy for a new special interest that, upon reflection, just so happens to feed me something I'm not getting.

Feeling powerless at work? Suddenly I have all the mental resources in the world to freelance in my spare time.

Spending a lot of time on empathy, subjectivity and other people's feelings? Suddenly I'm craving math.

How do the NTs balance themselves out?

craving human connection but can't access it for some reason? Suddenly I'm reading books 8 hours a day (signed, my entire childhood)

and I'm not experiencing this as "ah yes here comes the math interest. Guess I've been feeling unmoored from facts & objective reality. I am a well balanced human "

I experience it more as "wait we're NOT reading books anymore? why not?? I liked that?? NOW MATH, REALLY??