{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"273 The Holidays: A Group Project My Nervous System Didn\u2019t Agree To","description":"The Holidays: A Group Project My Nervous System Didn\u2019t Agree To In this New Year\u2019s episode, Patricia Young (she\/her) explores why the holiday season can be especially challenging for autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD nervous systems. Through personal stories about gift giving, overstimulation, masking, PDA, rejection sensitivity, and the need for sameness and predictability, she unpacks how small changes and social expectations can quietly dysregulate neurodivergent people. The episode also includes updates on her purple hair and tattoo, reflections on attunement and fairness, and a gentle alternative to New Year\u2019s resolutions\u2014offering practical categories for reflection that center self-compassion, regulation, and realistic support. WHAT YOU\u2019LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE \u00b7 Why holidays are uniquely overstimulating for neurodivergent nervous systems \u00b7 How transitions, visitors, and disrupted routines impact regulation \u00b7 The role of predictability, sameness, and visual memory in autistic well-being \u00b7 Why gift giving can activate PDA, executive dysfunction, and shame \u00b7 How attunement in gift giving can feel deeply regulating\u2014and deeply stressful \u00b7 The pressure to perform gratitude and enthusiasm while masking discomfort \u00b7 Why opening gifts in front of others can be overwhelming for autistic adults \u00b7 How fairness, justice sensitivity, and reciprocity complicate holiday dynamics \u00b7 The emotional labor involved in \u201cdoing it right\u201d socially \u00b7 How body doubling supports assertiveness and nervous system regulation \u00b7 Why small environmental changes can create disproportionate stress \u00b7 The difference between order as regulation versus control \u00b7 How animals, sensory joy, and flexibility can increase tolerance for chaos \u00b7 Reflections on regret, learning, and doing things differently over time \u00b7 Why curiosity and problem-solving are often misunderstood in autistic communication \u00b7 How rejection sensitivity and object permanence affect relationships \u00b7 A compassionate alternative to New Year\u2019s resolutions \u00b7 Reflective life categories including health, finances, relationships, self-care, creativity, home, and novelty \u00b7 Why survival mode is sometimes the only valid goal \u00b7 A reminder that sensitivity is wiring\u2014not a flaw   SOUND BITES \u00b7       \u201cOur nervous systems really do best with sameness, repetition, and predictability.\u201d \u00b7       \u201cMasking is all about making other people feel comfortable\u2014and that\u2019s a lot of work.\u201d \u00b7       \u201cRegret doesn\u2019t mean you did something wrong. It means you\u2019re learning.\u201d \u00b7       \u201cYou have a right to be regulated, dysregulated, organized, disorganized, content, or discontent.\u201d SENSITIVITY IS NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR; IT\u2019S HOW YOUR BRAIN IS WIRED You are not broken. You were shaped by systems that weren\u2019t built for you. You deserve rest, joy, and support exactly as you are. CHAPTERS (PLEASE ALLOW FOR ADDITION OF INTRO) 00:00 Navigating Holiday Challenges 10:06 The Complexity of Gift Giving 20:39 Reflections on Relationships and Expectations 29:26 Looking Ahead: New Year Reflections PODCAST HOST Patricia Young (she\/her) was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 17 years, but she is now exclusively providing coaching. She knows what it\u2019s like to feel like an outcast, misfit, and truthteller.  Learning about the trait of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), then learning she is AuDHD with a PDA profile, OCD and RSD, helped Patricia rewrite her history with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and a sense of self-compassion.  She created the podcasts Unapologetically Sensitive and Unapologetically AuDHD to help other neurodivergent folks know that they aren\u2019t alone, and that having a brain that is wired differently comes with amazing gifts, and some challenges.  Patricia works online globally working individually with people, and she teaches Online Courses for neurodivergent folks that focus on understanding what it means to be a sensitive neurodivergent. Topics covered include: self-care, self-compassion, boundaries, perfectionism, mindfulness, communication, and creating a lifestyle that honors you Patricia\u2019s website, podcast episodes and more: www.unapologeticallysensitive.com  LINKS  To write a review in itunes: click on this link https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/unapologetically-sensitive\/id1440433481?mt=2 select \u201clisten on Apple Podcasts\u201d chose \u201copen in itunes\u201d choose \u201cratings and reviews\u201d click to rate the number of starts click \u201cwrite a review\u201d Website--www.unapologeticallysensitive.com Facebook-- https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Unapologetically-Sensitive-2296688923985657\/ Closed\/Private Facebook group Unapologetically Sensitive-- https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/2099705880047619\/ Instagram-- https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/unapologeticallysensitive\/ Youtube-- https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCOE6fodj7RBdO3Iw0NrAllg\/videos?view_as=subscriber Tik Tok--https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@unapologeticallysensitiv Unapologetically AuDHD Podcast-- https:\/\/unapologeticallysensitive.com\/unapologeticallyaudhd\/ e-mail-- unapologeticallysensitive@gmail.com Show hashtag--#unapologeticallysensitive Music-- Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com   ","author_name":"Unapologetically Sensitive","author_url":"https:\/\/unapologeticallysensitive.com\/unapologetically-sensitive\/","html":"