Ep23 dives into the world of neurodivergent self-employment and the exhausting art of masking especially when you are at home.
We explore how neurodiverse business owners often feel the need to slap a "socially acceptable front end" onto their lives to appear competent, only to carry that heavy mask home to their families.
This episode is all about learning to show up as your authentic, tired, human, and slightly "odd" self without the pressure of a 24/7 professional performance to those who love you.
We show up as "Hyper Hannah" and her power-mode hyperfocus and share Stuart’s "trauma dumping" as a way to "lance the boil" of the day’s stress.
They discuss the "washing machine" of rumination and the "popcorn moments" where partners simply watch the neurodiverse firework burn out. Whether it’s arguing with yourself about turkeys in a Christmas suit or having a "therapy argument" in the hallway, with yourself, we share our own internal chaos.
We ask the questions that might help you drop your mask at home and be honest about everything from finances to meltdowns, self-employment becomes a truly sustainable and magnificent adventure where you get to become your awesome self.
Please share with anyone you think this topic might resonate with. Send any questions or suggestions to or contact us here: hosts@businessoddcast.com
Don't forget to like and subscribe or follow along on the socials, see below timeline for details.
Together we can build a healthier, happier way to work!
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TIMELINE
00:00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to the Show
00:00:13 - Topic of the Week: Being Self-employed Without Wearing a Mask at Home
00:03:00 - Masking and being inauthentic, and managing everything else
00:04:03 - Internal imposter's syndrome and gaslighting your own skills
00:06:49 - Capacity, capability and professionalism...
00:08:23 - Reassuring others and reminding yourself how good you are
00:09:36 - Working from home - the transition and unburdening yourself
00:11:18 - Masking adds to the workload and mental burden
00:14:25 - Gnawing self-doubt, and using the m ask to convice yourself you can do it
00:15:10 - Hiding work stress within the mask, creating pressure when trying to unmask
00:17:05 - How do you keep stresses in "work mode" only?
00:18:30 - How do you deal with rummination, and being present?
00:20:35 - The key part of self-employment and how it impacts your success
00:22:33 - The toxic nature of success at all costs
00:26:13 - Perfectionism pressure and a harsh inner voice causes stress
00:27:10 - Being understanding and sticking to boundaries within your family
00:31:00 - Having a trusted business friend to listen and help
00:32:31 - Talking to yourself can sometimes be all you need - TANGENT
00:36:29 - Final Point - keeping lines of communication clear is key
00:39:19 - The difficulty of being honest vs avoiding conflict
00:42:17 - Acknowledging your own idiocy and being proud of it
00:44:44 - Self employment; The freedom to start to be yourself
00:46:48 - H's takeaways... Authenticity... Honesty...
00:51:51 - S's takeaways... Boundaries... Your needs...
00:52:37 - When ranting we don't need any guidance or advice or a time machine
00:53:14 - How do YOU deal with all of this?
00:53:27 - Next Week's Topic - Delegation for Control Freaks (and the Overwhelmed) and Roy Castle
00:55:57 - LENGTH
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RESOURCES
https://here2help.uk/further-information/ - Fab resource and amazing organisation raising awareness and support for autistic suicide prevention.
Information regarding Alexythimia and other helpful autism and autistic related factsheets on the link.
https://bigmoosecharity.co - Emergency mental health support, Big Moose provides fast and effective therapy for people who are struggling.
https://shineradio.uk - Local Radio Petersfield, Bordon & Whitehill and beyond!
https://businessoddcast.com/help - our range of resources for Neurodiverse business owners, helping you thrive, survive and live more fulfilling lives.
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OUR WEBSITE & CONTACT
https://businessoddcast.com/help - Our resources
hosts@businessoddcast.com - Email us
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