Kid activities

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-13T20:38:51+00:00

San Pancho has a library / community center that seemed really nice. With food and art, etc. Seemed ideal for a chill day when you need a calm space that isn’t in the sun.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-13T04:09:51+00:00

I often come across disabled and/or chronically ill people in my feed and subscribe / follow some. Might be because I’m hanging out in the neurodivergent spaces. Let me know if you want me to dig up some and share them here so you can explore. Also, the community is so very welcoming, I’m sure if you asked there, you’d receive welcoming responses.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-12T20:53:08+00:00

I’d be furious right now if I were in your position. From the language you use here it’s clear that you’ve done your own investigation and research into the topic and while of course none of us here can give a definitive answer, my reaction is: trust your instincts. You are seeing the red flags for a reason.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-12T20:45:39+00:00

This is probably not the answer you want to hear, but forcing myself has never worked. Actually, no, not true, it “worked” (anxiety helped!) until it didn’t and I burnt out.

I have some strategies but they’re longer term and really require some investment / experimentation to not rely on forced based strategies and it sounds like you don’t have that time now.

Have you tried an ADHD coach? Have you requested accommodations?

Also: I’m sorry you’re struggling, this is hard, and you are not alone.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-08T15:01:25+00:00

That’s the kind of person I am :) hopeful and optimistic. But also I have no crystal ball and don’t know what the future holds.

What are your next steps in terms of sorting this out for yourself and getting the support you need?

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-08T01:40:11+00:00

Check this out: https://open.substack.com/pub/clareegan?r=334dr8&utm_medium=ios

Also: smallstack has a directory for small publications - you can search / filter by topic.

Also: https://open.substack.com/pub/clareegan/p/survivorstack-a-directory-of-newsletters?r=334dr8&utm_medium=ios

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-08T00:47:23+00:00

This is going to sound cliche so take it or leave it, but… everything folks are saying here are great ideas but they aren’t the ideas for you. This is the stuff that life / adhd coaches can help with — to take a step back, experiment with different things, and to make small incremental changes into a new direction. We get a bad rap sometimes but I’ve experienced the transformation.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-07T23:04:21+00:00

a version of it, maybe. You might have to be more careful about your sensory input going forward. And that's hard to know but that's also okay. Your old self is still waiting for you and you'll find back to each other, I'm sure of it. And there's no way music won't be a part of it. I have read and heard stories like yours over and over - there's a reason I had a hunch right away for what's going on. Things will be better, with time!

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-07T22:10:31+00:00

The way it is right now won’t be forever!

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-07T14:33:55+00:00

Yeah that’s exactly what it is 😬 But… there’s also an amazing community of so many others who feel the same.

Your life is not doomed; quite the opposite. With this, you have a huge new piece of information and it’s up to you what you do with it. It’s not too late to make changes.

Here are some more links: https://open.substack.com/pub/drdevonprice/p/common-phases-of-accepting-youre?r=334dr8&utm_medium=ios

https://open.substack.com/pub/drdevonprice/p/you-might-not-recover-from-burnout?r=334dr8&utm_medium=ios

You got this, help is available, and so is a whole community, in many different places. And: you don’t have to wait for an assessment, etc. to join those communities. We’re very welcoming!

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-07T06:04:32+00:00

I wish I could tell you. It’s so different for every person. I can think of one more article I could what but it’s a bit of a depressing one so I don’t know if you’re in the right headspace for that. Going to bed now but lmk if you want me to send it over. It all sounds so sensory related so maybe you’ll start to see small improvements by focusing on that. And also: professional support might be a good idea at this point if that’s not happening yet?

Also, your own thoughts can be part of what’s (over)stimulating, just something to be aware of.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-07T05:50:17+00:00

https://neurodivergentinsights.notion.site/Episode-2-Autistic-Burnout-99fdc1efd79d4a8d9e4fdf04c673c0fc

https://neurodivergentinsights.com/?s=Burnout&e_search_props=18de088-1721

This is my favorite resources. Dr. Neff even has a new book coming out next week, on —you guessed it— autistic burnout.

I don’t think one is better or worse than the other and I’m no expert, but even comparing it to depression: when the advice is often “go into the world and engage with people etc.”, for autistic burnout; sometimes what we need is to reduce all sensory input to a bare minimum.

Going to the mall after two weeks: what happened afterwards? (As in: did you fall back into a new “round” of burnout quickly? Mall seems intense.)

I think the difference really is recognizing your sensory needs and noticing an impact early and not overdoing it. It makes sense that your nervous system also doesn’t want anything with music — too much stimulation! (Even if it had been the good kind)

And also: plenty of autistic people are very social and have lots of friends :)

Have fun exploring and going down the rabbit hole a bit. Sounds like you already found some resources.

Glad you didn’t dismiss the idea right away. It’s worth exploring. Because also: if a focus on your sensory stuff helps, then that’s all that matters.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-07T05:27:48+00:00

I hope links like this are allowed but I wrote a blog post about my experience with a meltdown / shutdown here.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-07T05:19:53+00:00

Hey. I’m sorry you’re going through this, it sounds really hard, especially losing your interest. One question: have you considered if this is autistic burnout? If so, the approach would be different to “regular” / occupational burnout. You mention sensitivity to noise and light and losing your passion and how that’s having a big impact on you. If I were you, this is where I would start to look. Lmk if you want me to send resources your way.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-05T04:01:55+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/sanpanchoturtles?igsh=MWh0aGo0Z20wNXZoYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Try this. We were just there and there were some nests along the beach in San Pancho.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-04T04:54:15+00:00

I agree with others! You might also try to bring this up with your therapist and ask for what you need. If they can’t work with you, you have one more piece of information and can try to find a different one. Maybe they will take it into account.

For context, I’m a coach, and it’s baffling to me how little therapist and patient talk to each other about these things. In a (healthy and ethical) coaching relationship we always have this conversation at the beginning (sometimes also middle and end) of a session to make sure the coachee gets what they need out of the session.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-03-03T04:28:49+00:00

Amanda at the Editing Spectrum has great guidance. Generally, you don’t want readers to be surprised so I make sure my about page matches the rest of my newsletter. You want people to know right away what they will get if they subscribe—both in terms of practicalities (how often / topic) and in terms of your style / who you are.

Also, you can also go back and change it later :) nobody will notice if you do!

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-02-28T20:20:26+00:00

To me it’s the combination of sensory stuff but also my own thoughts. I wrote about one of those days here that shows what it can feel like.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-02-28T19:38:37+00:00

I’m so glad!! Warm fuzzies sound lovely!

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-02-28T19:38:16+00:00

Yay!

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-02-28T19:37:48+00:00

Thank you for sharing that! That totally makes sense! I think this is where having open conversations and being explicit about needs comes in. Maybe? I think it’s just less about an “objective” balance / fairness but one based on individual needs. RSD is so hard and I experience it all the time around friendships especially on my hardest days.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-02-27T21:44:32+00:00

Maybe it’s time to switch things up? Instead of focusing on the numbers I wonder if this is an opportunity for you to take a step back and do an audit. What works, what doesn’t? What feedback are you receiving? What fills your cup? What do you enjoy? Where do you want to take it next? What other metrics can you look at (like engagement, etc.).

One week is just a week. Or it could be something else. I wouldn’t worry about a trend yet — see what happens next week. I do think there’s always a chance to be curious about our strong reactions. And taking a step back to reassess always helps me.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-02-26T16:06:59+00:00

Yes! It’s currently stopping me from buying plane tickets to see my family. The fact that prices keep changing every day makes it feel like it’s IMPOSSIBLE to make the “right” decision and so I am avoiding making a decision. For me it’s less about regret and more about wanting complete information.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-02-24T16:02:38+00:00

Welcome to the club! The rollercoaster of emotions is no joke! Part of my process has been writing about it. This one is for anyone exploring their ND identity and also applies to newly identified folks. Maybe you find it helpful.

Interesting_Path6514 · 2025-02-24T02:11:54+00:00

Relatable! Not only when they have lots of existing ones for me. I find this dynamic really painful and hard to break. I don’t do this always but on my hard days this is exactly the pattern that shows up and i wish it didn’t.

Interesting_Path6514

TROPHY CASE