You understand your ADHD or autism, but you still tell yourself you should be able to cope. Why does needing rest, quiet or help feel like a personal failure, even after discovering you're neurodivergent?

In Episode 15 of Between Us | Neurodivergent Conversations, Christine and Mareike explore internalised ableism: the expectations we've absorbed about productivity, independence and what a capable adult should manage. We share how those rules show up differently for us, from pushing through exhaustion to feeling guilty about having needs. Understanding our neurodivergence hasn't automatically changed the standards we measure ourselves against. We're learning to notice when a genuine need is followed by judgement, and to get curious about whose rules we're following.

• Internalised ableism in late-discovered neurodivergent women
• Rest guilt, productivity and the pressure to push through
• Comparing today’s capacity with what you used to manage
• Why asking for help can feel like becoming a burden
• Noticing the “should” that arrives after a need
• Trying one small moment of believing your own needs

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Between Us | Neurodivergent Conversations is a podcast with Christine and Mareike for late-diagnosed, late-identified, self-identifying and questioning neurodivergent women. We share lived experience of ADHD, autism, AuDHD, masking, burnout, parenting, relationships and midlife, while learning to build lives that fit our nervous systems.

Neurodivergence is often talked about through the lens of challenges, struggles, and things that need to be fixed. But what happens when we look at the other side of the picture?

In this episode, we explore some of the strengths and qualities that can come with ADHD, autism, and AuDHD from creativity, curiosity, deep focus, pattern recognition, empathy, and authenticity to seeing the world from a perspective that may be different, but not less valuable.

We also talk about the importance of recognising strengths without romanticising neurodivergence or ignoring the very real challenges that can come with it.

Because understanding yourself isn’t only about learning what is difficult. It’s also about discovering what makes you, you.

Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply curious to see beyond the challenges, we’re glad you’re here.

As always, this episode reflects our personal experiences and reflections as neurodivergent women. It is not intended as medical, psychological or diagnostic advice.

Come join us as we explore a side of neurodivergence that is often left unseen.

See the following link to our Conversation Notes https://between-us-eth7gg.subscribepage.io

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What if your brain never really gets to switch off?

In this episode, we explore the mental load of ADHD, autism, and AuDHD - the constant planning, remembering, anticipating, analysing, monitoring, and processing that can make even quiet moments feel mentally busy.

We talk about why everyday life can create an endless stream of open tabs in the mind, why resting doesn’t always feel restful, and how the invisible work of keeping track of everything can become exhausting over time.

Because sometimes, you can be doing nothing and still feel like your brain has been working all day.

Whether you recognise yourself in this experience or are discovering it for the first time, we’re glad you’re here.

As always, this episode reflects our personal experiences and reflections as neurodivergent women. It is not intended as medical, psychological or diagnostic advice.

We invite you to stay curious and see what resonates with you.

See the following link to our Conversation Notes https://between-us-eth7gg.subscribepage.io

Follow us on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/betweenus.conversations/