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<blockquote data-quote="peony" data-source="post: 15300" data-attributes="member: 5288">(I just wrote a long reply and it didn't post, so I will summarize briefly here).I just recovered from a year of severe burnout. It does get better. In order to recover I had to have total rest: 5 months off work, partner did all the chores, no to almost all social events, had to deal with my new severe noise sensitivity. I had to learn how to rest too! I had no idea what refreshed me, or made me feel better. Masking for years makes you so disconnected from your own feelings and needs. I had to accept that I wouldn't be able to work as many hours (I was already part time), and had to change my role to remote working. I had to be willing to &quot;look autistic&quot; by asking for adjustments at work, wearing headphones in public, and becoming more comfortable with stimming. It turns out stimming is amazingly good for my brain. I had no idea. I had just suppressed it. I think my burnout was perpetuated by anxiety around my brain and body failing me. I had some private therapy and I also leaned heavily into my faith (Christian) to help me learn to let go (it's so scary!) Letting go of all my self-imposed pressures transformed me! I am now coping better than I have in years. But I'm also &quot;more autistic&quot; outwardly- I have accepted my limits and my identity. The pathway programme was absolutely vital in working through all of this. I really recommend it. It does get better.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="peony, post: 15300, member: 5288"] (I just wrote a long reply and it didn't post, so I will summarize briefly here). I just recovered from a year of severe burnout. It does get better. In order to recover I had to have total rest: 5 months off work, partner did all the chores, no to almost all social events, had to deal with my new severe noise sensitivity. I had to learn how to rest too! I had no idea what refreshed me, or made me feel better. Masking for years makes you so disconnected from your own feelings and needs. I had to accept that I wouldn't be able to work as many hours (I was already part time), and had to change my role to remote working. I had to be willing to "look autistic" by asking for adjustments at work, wearing headphones in public, and becoming more comfortable with stimming. It turns out stimming is amazingly good for my brain. I had no idea. I had just suppressed it. I think my burnout was perpetuated by anxiety around my brain and body failing me. I had some private therapy and I also leaned heavily into my faith (Christian) to help me learn to let go (it's so scary!) Letting go of all my self-imposed pressures transformed me! I am now coping better than I have in years. But I'm also "more autistic" outwardly- I have accepted my limits and my identity. The pathway programme was absolutely vital in working through all of this. I really recommend it. It does get better. [/QUOTE]

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