In this episode, I share my personal journey as a late-diagnosed autistic ADHD counselor, psychotherapist, and alcohol coach. I open up about my struggles with busy brain, masking, and the coping mechanisms I used - including alcohol - to manage overwhelming thoughts and emotions. I discuss how societal expectations, trauma, and neurodivergence shaped my identity, and how self-compassion became the key to transforming my relationship with myself and with alcohol.
Episode Takeaways:
- I learned that “busy brain” is not a personality flaw, but a symptom of deeper issues like trauma, neurodivergence, and societal pressure.
- Alcohol and other coping mechanisms are often solutions to discomfort, not the root problem themselves.
- Self-compassion, not willpower or harsh self-judgment, is the most effective path to healing and change.
- Masking and trying to fit in led me to lose touch with my authentic self; unmasking is a gradual, ongoing process.
- Our inner critic and need to control are often protective strategies developed in response to feeling unsafe or unacceptable.
- Burnout, stress, and self-sabotage are common among neurodivergent and sensitive people, especially when we ignore our needs.
- Sharing our stories and struggles helps break the cycle of shame and isolation.
- True transformation - alchemy - comes from understanding and repurposing our coping strategies, not just suppressing them.
Episode links & Resources
