People in Autistic Burnout often ask me this question:
Will I ever get back to my pre-Autistic Burnout level of functioning?
The answer is not a simple one…
First of all, if you are in the acute stage of Autistic Burnout then please be reassured this stage won’t last and you will regain some of your skills and energy.
But after that, then what?
The reality is that for many people in Autistic Burnout their pre-burnout lifestyles either caused or contributed to their Autistic Burnout. That is, their level of functioning was not sustainable.
As a result, people in Autistic Burnout have over-extended themselves too much and for too long.
Their expectations of themselves, and the expectations of those around them normalised this level of over-extension.
But it wasn’t ever really ‘normal’ or sustainable.
And the result was Autistic Burnout.
So if I’m honest, yes, you possibly could achieve the same level of functioning again, but, if you try to sustain it for long, the results are likely to be the same…
Autistic Burnout
As you recover, I hope you become more aware of how much energy you have and that you find ways of lowering your expectations of yourself and the people around you.
I hope you get support and encouragement to listen to your mind and body and notice how they feel when you are low on energy or support.
I hope you find ways of resting and regulating when you start to feel over-extended.
I hope you can create a lifestyle that allows you to be more authentically, more sustainably…
you.
I specialise in working with people experiencing Autistic Burnout and I have written a blog series and have an online course and community to help people recover from Autistic Burnout and live authentic, energised and inspired lives. For news of my latest posts and resources please join my mailing list.
