Podcast Summary
Autistic Burnout After Intense Social Interaction: Autistic individuals, including those who don't always identify with the label, can experience burnout from intense social interaction and everyday tasks, leading to exhaustion and overwhelm.
Even though the host had an amazing experience during her recent UK tour with lots of social interaction and engagement, she is currently experiencing the early stages of autistic burnout. This condition, which is common among neurodivergent individuals, can make everyday tasks challenging and leave one feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. The host, who is diagnosed as autistic but doesn't always identify with the label, notes that everyone's experience with autism is unique. Despite her ability to handle sensory stimuli and social situations, the intense interaction during her tour has reminded her of the challenges that come with being neurodivergent. She encourages listeners to be aware of autistic burnout and to take care of themselves if they experience similar symptoms. Additionally, she mentions that her upcoming Vicar Street gig in Dublin is almost sold out, so interested listeners should get their tickets soon.
Socializing is an effort for those on the autistic spectrum: People with autism find socializing challenging due to overstimulation, which impacts their executive functioning skills and can lead to burnout
The speaker, being on the autistic spectrum, experiences social interaction as an effort that requires significant energy and can impact their ability to perform basic tasks. They enjoy socializing and meeting new people, but it can lead to confusion and difficulties with executive functioning skills such as memory, planning, and organization. This is due to the overstimulation caused by social interaction, which is not instinctual for them. They compare this experience to a weightlifter lifting weights, putting in a lot of effort and then needing to rest before doing it again. While social interaction is not unpleasant or stressful, it is a learned skill for them, and consistent socializing can lead to burnout.
Struggling with burnout can impact executive functioning skills: Burnout can lead to a loss of mental and social energy, affecting communication, social interactions, and simple tasks. Prioritize self-care to prevent burnout and maintain well-being.
Burnout leads to a depletion of both mental and social energy, resulting in a loss of executive functioning skills. During this time, individuals may struggle with communication, social interactions, and even simple tasks. To avoid burnout, it's essential to prioritize self-care, such as wearing comfortable clothes, avoiding social interactions, engaging in physical activities, and allowing the mind to rest through activities like video games or reading. Burnout can also lead to feelings of shame and self-deprecation, which can worsen mental health issues and prolong the recovery process. By recognizing the signs of burnout and taking proactive steps to recharge, individuals can prevent the negative consequences of burnout and maintain their overall well-being. The earliest memories of burnout can often date back to childhood experiences of trauma or overwhelming situations, which can trigger executive dysfunction and shameful behavior.
Neurodivergent individuals face challenges in everyday tasks leading to shame and burnout: Neurodivergent individuals, like those with autism, struggle with everyday tasks, leading to feelings of shame and burnout. Understanding and accommodating their differences is crucial for their well-being and success in social situations and the workforce.
Neurodivergent individuals, such as those with autism, can experience significant challenges in executing everyday tasks, which can lead to feelings of shame, self-flagellation, and burnout. The speaker shares two personal experiences: the first involves stealing an ice cream as a child and feeling profound guilt and shame, and the second involves experiencing executive dysfunction during the pandemic, which made it impossible for him to accept a prestigious award from the University College Dublin due to the overwhelming complexity of the situation. These experiences highlight the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in navigating social situations and the importance of understanding and accommodating these differences. The speaker also emphasizes the need for greater awareness and acceptance of neurodivergent individuals in the workforce and the potential consequences of failing to do so.
Understanding the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals: Acknowledge and accommodate the needs of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace to promote inclusion and prevent burnout.
For individuals on the autistic spectrum, coping with social demands in a professional setting can be a significant challenge. The speaker shared their personal experience of needing to retreat into their interests to recharge, which led to conflicts with team expectations and eventually resulted in job loss. They emphasized the importance of understanding and acknowledging the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, and the privilege of having a job that accommodates those needs. The speaker also highlighted the stigma surrounding neurodivergent behaviors and the importance of self-care and self-awareness in managing burnout. Despite the embarrassment and unconventional nature of their experiences, they encouraged open dialogue and acceptance of neurodiversity in the workplace.
Overcoming internalized messages of inadequacy: Daily routines, visualizing accomplishments, and challenging societal labels can help combat negative self-talk and improve self-esteem for those experiencing executive dysfunction.
While executive dysfunction can present challenges, the real problem often lies in the negative self-talk and internalized messages that come with it. The speaker in the text acknowledges this and is taking steps to preemptively combat it by creating a clear plan for each day and focusing on the small feelings of accomplishment that come with completing each task. The use of a daily routine and visualizing accomplishments can help recharge energy and improve self-esteem. The discussion also touches on the importance of recognizing and challenging societal labels that can further exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and failure.
Ask for listener support to continue producing the podcast: The speaker shares a personal story of experiencing burnout and writer's block, and the desire to let go of negative thoughts, inviting listeners to follow him on Instagram and attend a live event for support.
The speaker in this podcast episode is asking for support from listeners to keep producing the podcast as it is his full-time job. He also shared a personal story from his book, "Topographia, Hibernica," about experiencing burnout and writer's block, and the desire to let go of negative thoughts. The story involves feeding jackdaws in a deconsecrated Augustinian cathedral and the desire to get rid of unwanted thoughts by imagining weasels eating them. The speaker emphasizes that despite having confessed past misdeeds to priests and therapists, there is still a deep sense of badness or guilt within him that he cannot explain. He invites listeners to follow him on Instagram and attend a live podcast event in Dublin. The podcast is available for free, but paid subscriptions on Patreon help support the production.
Memories and experiences shape the significance of the church: The church, with its rich history and memories, continues to hold personal meaning and serve as a place for healing and reflection for individuals.
The church, despite the absence of religious iconography and the presence of unusual activities, continues to hold significance for people as a place for personal rituals and healing. The speaker recalls their experiences of confession and the importance placed on acknowledging and confessing sins. The church, with its rich history and memories, serves as a reminder of the human capacity for both good and bad actions. The speaker's unique experiences in the church, from the rusty offerings in the holy water font to the memories of confession with Mrs. O'Sullivan, demonstrate the enduring impact of the church on individuals. The church may be in disrepair, but the memories and experiences that have been etched into its walls continue to shape the lives of those who visit.
A Man's Complex Relationship with Confession and Guilt: Growing up, some people may feel compelled to confess others' sins to maintain a clean conscience, but as they grow older, they may feel guilt for deceiving and seek therapy instead for a more personal and private experience.
The speaker, growing up, felt the need to confess sins, even if they weren't his own, to maintain a clean conscience before God. He would perform sins on behalf of others and then confess them in confession, receiving forgiveness and a sense of relief. However, as he grew older, he began to feel guilty for deceiving the priest and God, and started attending therapy instead. He found therapy to be more shameful than confession, but also more private and personal. The speaker's experiences highlight the complex relationship between guilt, confession, and seeking forgiveness, and the human desire for absolution and a clean slate.
Impact of Early Experiences on Emotional Wellbeing: Early experiences shape self-perception and emotional wellbeing. Understanding roots may provide relief, but true healing requires self-compassion and addressing emotional wounds.
Our early experiences, particularly the lack of love and attachment during formative years, can significantly impact our emotional wellbeing and self-perception as adults. The attachment theory, based on studies of baby monkeys, highlights the importance of love and comfort over basic needs like food and water. Our innate feelings of badness or guilt can stem from these early experiences, and while understanding the root cause may provide some relief, true healing may require self-compassion and addressing the emotional wounds before words and language can be effective. The concept of original sin, as described in religious contexts, can be compared to these feelings of guilt and shame, but it's essential to recognize that our feelings are not a result of Eve's actions or women's desires, but rather our individual experiences. It's crucial to acknowledge the impact of our past while striving for self-compassion and healing.
Childhood experiences and self-compassion: The speaker's past experiences deeply affected her, leading her to consider self-harm and suicide. Self-compassion towards her younger self helped her confront her past and reframe her perspective on painful memories.
The speaker's childhood experiences, particularly her mother's stories and the image of a lamb with its eyes eaten out by jackdaws, have deeply affected her and influenced her thoughts and behaviors. The speaker's desire to rid herself of her thoughts and memories led her to consider self-harm and even suicide, but an attachment therapist's advice to practice self-compassion towards her younger self led her to revisit the cathedral where she grew up and confront her past. The jackdaws, which she had previously seen as symbols of sadness and loss, now represent honesty and observation, and she realizes they have been watching over her all along. The speaker also reflects on the historical significance of trepanation, a practice used to relieve mental and physical pain, and how it relates to her own desire for release from her troubling memories. Overall, the speaker's journey is a poignant exploration of the complex ways in which our past experiences shape us and the importance of self-compassion in healing.
Finding joy in unexpected moments: Unexpected encounters can bring joy and relief, while affordable luxury allows us to indulge in nice things without overspending.
Even in unexpected moments, we can find joy and excitement in simple pleasures. The speaker in the story found comfort and release in the unexpected encounter with jackdaws tearing apart a sausage roll on his head. This experience brought him a sense of cleansing and relief, allowing him to let go of his sins. On a different note, another key takeaway is the importance of affordable luxury. The speaker's description of Quince as a place to buy high-end goods at discounted prices resonates with the idea that everyone deserves nice things, regardless of their budget. Quince's commitment to ethical and responsible manufacturing adds an extra layer of appeal, making it a go-to destination for those seeking stylish and sustainable options. Overall, the story and the mention of Quince both remind us that there's joy to be found in unexpected places and that we can indulge in luxury without breaking the bank.
