April is Autism Acceptance Month (or some refer to it as Autism Awareness Month.) I posted the image below on LinkedIn and went viral for the very first time. I'm honored that it resonated with so many people.
While I have only officially been diagnosed with ADHD, it's become apparent to many that I am also Autistic. While I've known about my ADHD for a long time, the Autism part is new to me, and I'm still exploring my feelings around it.
It has made many things in my life make more sense; but with that, it has brought a significant amount of grief for "what could have been" otherwise known as "if only I knew."
I've struggled most of my life with friendships and with communication. Which is odd, because I've always felt I was very good at communicating. But I did often feel like I was being misunderstood, misheard, or misquoted. I often found myself wondering what I had done to make someone upset and spending a lot of time trying to understand what had gone wrong - only to suspect it was just something about me. In fact, to this day I struggle with this. Add in some rejection sensitivity and I'm a lot of fun!
With friendships - I tend to go all in real fast. And I tend to assume friendship where maybe aquaintance is the better word. Or even less - work buddies or colleagues or something like that. I tend to work wish someone on a project and find out we have things in common and I assume we are best friends forever. Only to be really hurt when the job or the project is over and the friendship drifts away.
It's not easy - in fact it sometimes feels exhausting. Why am I telling you all this? For a few reasons. Number one - if you are feeling this way - you are not alone. Number two - if you know someone who is Autistic or suspect they may be - please give them grace and compassion. Be curious in your communication. And number three - I am celebrating who I am, and that includes this part of me.
What part of you have you been neglecting to celebrate?
April Is Autism Acceptance Month
New Blog: Burnout Hits Different When You’re Always Adapting
Rainbow Brains Diary
Let’s chat about a type of burnout that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.
Not just the “I’m tired” or “I need a break” kind of burnout. But the kind that comes from constantly having to adjust yourself to fit the space that you are currently in.
Switching how you speak, how you show up, even how much of yourself you let people see. You may spend your time reading rooms, masking overwhelm, making excuses, and toning down your opinions.
You have to decide – sometimes in a split second – what parts of you are safest in the moment and environment you are in. And if you are neurodivergent, queer, or BOTH – you have to do that over, and over, and over again.
THAT kind of burnout just hits different. Because it’s not about being tired right now.
This Week's Quick Tip(s) - Managing Interruptions at Work
🌻Have a default response ready Something like: “I’m in the middle of something—can I circle back in 20?”
🌻Use a visible “focus signal” Headphones, a sign, a Slack status—anything that quietly says not available right now.
🌻Redirect instead of absorbing everything “Can you email me that?” or “Can we put that on the agenda for later?” buys you space.
🌻Keep a ‘parking lot’ list When interruptions spark new ideas/tasks, drop them somewhere instead of chasing them right away.
🌻Ask: “Is this urgent or just convenient?” Not everything that comes at you needs immediate attention—even if it feels like it does.
🌻Give yourself permission to not be instantly available You are allowed to protect your attention. That’s not rude—that’s how work actually gets done.
Gentle Reflection
What are you carrying today that isn’t actually yours to hold?
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