For many women, especially those who are neurodivergent, masking becomes second nature. Masking means putting on a kind of “social costume” to appear more neurotypical or to meet expectations of how women are “supposed” to act. It’s a survival skill many of us pick up early in life, often without even realizing it. But high-masking comes…
I have always loved to travel. And when I was younger, I wasn’t afraid to travel by myself. Of course, then when I got into my 30’s I got married, and traveled with my husband. Now that I’m divorced, I have been traveling mainly with a close group of girlfriends. But I’ve started getting back…
For many neurodivergent folks, whether you’re navigating life with ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, or any combination of neurodivergent traits, home should be a refuge, not a source of overwhelm. Unfortunately, typical household setups don’t always support our unique sensory needs, executive function challenges, or emotional regulation. The good news? A neurodivergent-friendly home is absolutely possible,…
There’s something magical about a bowl of hot soup. Especially when it comes together in minutes on a day when your energy is running low. Part of my neurodivergent sensory issues is that I cannot eat soup during the hot summer months. There are some hot foods that are fine. But soup is not one…
Being neurodivergent can be very challenging. Sometimes it just downright stinks! Those with AuDHD (ADHD and autism) have a nervous system that is always in overdrive. It’s hard to relax. That has certainly been true for me! I even got certified as a stress management coach to help me learn how to relax. I certainly…
When most people think about perimenopause or menopause, the first thing that comes to mind is hot flashes. Maybe night sweats. Possibly mood swings. But the truth is, the hormonal changes we go through at this stage of life can cause a whole range of symptoms that aren’t talked about nearly enough. These lesser-known signs…
Some days, lunch feels like one more impossible task on a never-ending to-do list. Especially when my energy is low and I’m struggling with a lack of executive dysfunction. That’s when I turn to my lazy chickpea salad wraps, a quick, nourishing meal that comes together in minutes with almost no effort. Using just a…
For so much of my life, I was terrified of going and doing things by myself. I would never have dreamed that I could go to dinner or to see a movie on my own. Going solo seemed like a bad idea. But in the past several years, my viewpoint has changed significantly. There’s something…
As I’ve been working to unmask and connect even more fully with who I truly am, I have been uncovering something unexpected. There is a level of intense joy that I didn’t expect. This joy happens the more I give myself permission to do the things that I love. There is a name for it…autistic…