Are you exhausted from trying to be everything to everyone—and still feeling like it's not enough?

In this episode of Adulting With Autism, host April talks with Ruth Hirshberg, former social worker and creator of Grounding with Ruth, about the real root cause behind chronic burnout and people-pleasing: core beliefs about worth.

Ruth shares how a Crohn's disease diagnosis forced her to face the truth she'd been avoiding—you can't perform your way to peace. Together, we unpack why "just set boundaries" and "just do self-care" often fails, especially for high achievers, perfectionists, and neurodivergent adults who learned early that being useful was the safest way to belong.

Ruth brings an honest, no-fluff approach—calling out toxic positivity and wellness-industry nonsense—and offers practical tools rooted in social work, breathwork, and meditation to build internal safety and sustainable self-worth.

• What people-pleasing actually is (and why it's not just "being nice")
• Why boundaries don't stick if you don't believe you're allowed to have needs
• The hidden beliefs that keep high-achievers trapped in burnout
• Self-worth vs. productivity: separating value from output
• Nervous system regulation that doesn't cost money (breathwork you can do anywhere)
• Meditation for exhausted or traumatized people (starting small, safely, and realistically)
• Toxic positivity and why "good vibes only" makes healing harder
• Community as a tool for healing shame and isolation

• Website: https://groundingwithruth.com
• Instagram/Facebook: @groundingwithruth
• Facebook Group: The Enough Project
• Podcast: Inspired Questions (interviews + guided meditations)