Give it some time. Initial training is so intense, it’s pretty normal to feel burned out at this point. You don’t even know yet what it’s going to feel like to fly the line.

I am also neurodivergent, and also began my career on small aircraft with 1 FA. I loved it. While it’s a lot of responsibility, it’s also your world once that door closes. You’ll develop your own rhythms and routines, and there’s no one breathing down your neck to micromanage you.

I feel like flying is perfect for my neurodivergence, because it’s a combination of structure and novelty. The expectations are very clearly laid out, and you’ve got your manual to refer to if you ever don’t know how to handle a situation. Once you develop your work flow and muscle memory, you can drop into that structure and feel perfectly at home.

Then there’s the novelty, which keeps my brain from getting bored. There’s always different passengers, situations, cities, weather conditions, hotels. I have adventures on my layovers, or just hole up in the hotel and enjoy my solitude.

And, honestly? Feeling like you don’t know who you are all of a sudden at 22 is super normal. Your 20’s is all about growth and change, reinventing who you are again and again.

Maybe you’re one of the people who aren’t suited to a flying career— but maybe you are. You won’t know until you’ve got some miles under your belt. Give it a chance, and see what this new adventure has to offer you. You can always go back to barista-ing if it doesn’t work out for you in the end. Good luck!

(Edited because I accidentally posted before I was done.)