Episode 191 - Too Many Masks Cause Burnout in Autistic Women with Carole Jean Whittington

Do you ever feel like you’re running on empty, constantly shifting who you are to fit into different situations? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the connection between masking and autistic burnout—why it happens, how it impacts autistic women, and the signs to watch for before burnout takes over.I’ll share my own experience with burnout, the role of masking styles (especially the Integrator style), and practical ways to check in with yourself before reaching a crisis point. Plus, we’ll take a moment to slow down with a grounding meditation and simple self-care strategies to help you recover and recharge.It’s time to unmask, recognize your needs, and start building a life that supports you—not one that drains you. Let’s get started.🔗 Resources & Links:Discover your masking style with my Masking Styles QuizDownload the Top 20 Burnout Warning Signs guideSign up for Alignment Sunday and get the support you deserve💡 Next Episode Sneak Peek: Are you living on autopilot? Join me next week as we explore how 52 simple questions can help you reconnect with your true self.Social Saturday: Join me and my guest Philip King Lowe this Saturday for our discussion on all things autistic.  Philip is the host of Today’s Autistic Moment.🎧 Listen now and take your first step toward recovery!

Imagine living a life where you fully embrace who you are, without the need to hide or conform. Episode 190, “The Invisible Struggle: How Autistic Women Lose Themselves” offers a path to rediscovering your authentic self and stepping into your true identity. Learn practical steps to unmasking and living with genuine self-trust and peace. 🔗 Take the Masking Styles Quiz and discover if you’re The Chameleon, Observer, Script Reader, Performer or Integrator: https://whittingtonwellbeing.com/ 🔗Join us for Alignment Sundays Designed for women who need a little more control over their week, without the chaos. 💪Are you ready to transform your Sundays? https://energize.whittingtonwellbeing.com/products/courses/view/1180659 🔗Grateful Leadership Workshop:The workshop will be $295 per person, and our Spicy Pepper community can use discount code CGL50 for a 50% discount, by being an early bird you claim your seat PLUS exclusive resources for just $149.50.Ready to embark on this transformative journey? Click the link below to register now for the event on MARCH 20 and ensure your place at the forefront of Grateful Leadership™. https://www.learning-center.iil.com/courses/grateful-leadership-using-the-power-of-acknowledgment-to-engage-all-your-people-and-achieve-superior-results-li8694-iil-en-0-v12-3h-puh?courseId=69bb4bbc-d44f-4488-a420-67ccfcfc5c32 Disclosure: Carole Jean Whittington is a Strategic Learning Partner with the International Institute for Learning (IIL). As part of this partnership, she may receive compensation for purchases made through her unique link. This collaboration allows her to continue providing valuable insights and resources to the Beyond Chronic Burnout community.#Masking #Authenticity #Self-discovery #JournalReflection #Meditation #Burnout #Autistic #ADHD #AuDHD #BeyondChronicBurnoutForAutisticWomen #MentalHealthProfessional

Have you ever felt like you’re holding back your true voice? Struggled with self-acceptance or body image? In this episode of Beyond Chronic Burnout, host Carole Jean Whittington sits down with leadership expert and spiritual medium Kara Bunde-Dunn to explore the profound impact of stepping into your authentic voice.Kara shares insights on how self-acceptance transforms body image and overall well-being, the power of releasing past burdens to embrace personal growth, and the connection between energy centers and heart-centered communication.In this episode, we discuss:✨ The importance of finding your authentic voice✨ How self-acceptance impacts body image and confidence✨ Letting go of past burdens to create space for personal growth✨ Navigating societal pressures and self-perception challenges✨ The role of energy, intuition, and heart-centered communicationIf you’re ready to break free from self-doubt, embrace your full self, and speak your truth with confidence, this episode is for you!#BeyondChronicBurnout #AuthenticVoice #SelfAcceptance #EnergyHealing🔗 Connect with Carole Jean Whittington: Take the Spicy Pepper Quiz and explore Carole Jean's new book 'Unleashing Sustainable Energy' at Whittington Well-Being's website:https://whittingtonwellbeing.com/ Alignment Sundays- Start Your Week Aligned and with Calm Clarity🔗 https://energize.whittingtonwellbeing.com/products/courses/view/1180659/?action=signup 🔗 Connect with Kara Bunde-Dunn: Karmicleader.com/resources 🔗Grateful Leadership Workshop:The workshop will be $295 per person, and our Spicy Pepper community can use discount code CGL50 for a 50% discount, by being an early bird you claim your seat PLUS exclusive resources for just $149.50.Ready to embark on this transformative journey? Click the link below to register now and ensure your place at the forefront of Grateful Leadership™. https://www.learning-center.iil.com/courses/grateful-leadership-using-the-power-of-acknowledgment-to-engage-all-your-people-and-achieve-superior-results-li8694-iil-en-0-v12-3h-puh?courseId=69bb4bbc-d44f-4488-a420-67ccfcfc5c32 Disclosure: Carole Jean Whittington is a Strategic Learning Partner with the International Institute for Learning (IIL). As part of this partnership, she may receive compensation for purchases made through her unique link. This collaboration allows her to continue providing valuable insights and resources to the Beyond Chronic Burnout community

In this episode of Beyond Chronic Burnout, I sit down with Jerry Marcus, an inspiring disability and mental health leader who shares his invaluable insights on navigating leadership, burnout, and self-care. Jerry highlights the importance of setting a culture that values mental health within organizations and emphasizes the need for leaders to create supportive environments where well-being is prioritized.Throughout the conversation, Jerry delves into the emotional and physical toll of burnout, offering practical tools and techniques to restore balance. From simple breathing exercises to ensuring you have the right support system in place, we explore how to recognize burnout and address it before it becomes overwhelming.Key topics covered: Building a culture that values mental health in organizations. The power of self-awareness and self-care. The impact of professional and personal balance on mental health. Creating effective support systems and resources. Jerry’s personal journey through burnout and the lessons learned.This episode is a must-listen for leaders, professionals, and anyone looking for real-world advice on how to take charge of their mental well-being while navigating the challenges of leadership and burnout.🔗 Connect with Carole Jean Whittington: Take the Spicy Pepper Quiz and explore Carole Jean's book 'Unleashing Sustainable Energy' at Whittington Well-Being's website:https://whittingtonwellbeing.com/ 

Appreciative Rest is Taking in and Appreciating the beauty around you. (Phase III of The UnVeiling Method - 7 Forms of Rest Other Than Sleep)Creative rest practice is the active form of appreciative rest where you are creating by painting, writing, sewing, singing, playing an instrument etc.Signs of Appreciative Rest Depletion:●     focus on the needs of others and don’t consider your needs a      priority.●     talk yourself out of self-care as if you don’t deserve being cared for.●     feel you are being selfish whenever you consider doing something      for yourself.●     often feel your work is not of value or that others do not appreciate      your contributions.●     find it difficult to enjoy things in nature or in your environment.How are you being creative in your life?What's your favorite way to express your creativity?How do you feel when you are being creative?What do you notice when you haven't spent time creating like you'd like to?Myrko Thum quote:“The present moment is the only thing where there is no time. It is the point between past and future. It is always there and it is the only point we can access in time. Everything that happens, happens in the present moment. Everything that ever happened and will ever happen can only happen in the present moment. It is impossible for anything to exist outside of it.”Active forms of creative rest allow us to be in the present moment and to allow space for our mind, body and higher self to align.Spend 10 - 15 minutes on your chosen creative rest.  Set a timer on your phone if that helps.At the end of your creative rest, use the reflection questions in the notes below to guide you further.Reflection Questions for after the creative rest time:What did you notice about how that 10 - 15 minutes felt, was it fast or slow?How much did you create vs how much you expected yourself to create in this time?  Was it more or less?What did you notice about your thoughts before you began and now?How do you feel now?Loving side quest for this week:Take a moment to schedule in 10 min to spend in creative rest this week.Join the Spicy Pepper List to be the first notified when we offer Open House in our UnVeiler Community to experience sessions just like this one.  Sign up for the Spicy Pepper List HERE:https://energyuplevel.kit.com/9bd5c71047

Create a Cozy Space in Your Mind- Pause for a quick Rapid Recharge Lab Session with me. Your internal space deserves comfort too. Negative self-talk can create heavy feelings, but with a simple reframe, you can build a lighter, more harmonious mental space.  Here’s how: 💭 Step 1: Notice the thought. 💭 Step 2: Pause and ask yourself, “How can I reframe this with kindness?” 💭 Step 3: Try one of these examples: Negative Thought: “I’m not doing enough.” Reframe: “I’m doing my best, and my best is enough for today.” Negative Thought: “I keep failing at everything.” Reframe: “I’m learning through these experiences, and every step is part of my growth.” Negative Thought: “I don’t deserve to rest.” Reframe: “Rest is not earned—it’s essential. Taking care of myself helps me show up fully.” Take a deep breath, and feel the shift as your inner space becomes cozy, calm, and supportive. Need more comfort?  Download our guide to creating a cozy space at home AND join us for our Monthly UnVeiler Kaleidoscope Support Community this Sunday, Dec. 22, at 2 PM CST. Together, we’ll explore more tools to nurture your well-being this winter season.  📥 Download the guide:  https://energize.whittingtonwellbeing.com/products/courses/view/1177695  #MindfulReframe #WinterWellBeing #CozyMindSpace

✨ Grief, burnout, and the holidays... it's a powerful mix that so many of us face in different ways. In this special 4-episode series on Beyond Chronic Burnout, we’re diving deep into these topics with incredible guests: 💬 Samantha Pickering on the layers of grief, child loss and navigating complex emotions 🎨 Peta O’Brien Day on rediscovering creativity and joy after the loss of a spouse & burnout 💛 Kate Rylander on honoring grief as love and creating space for healing. 💡 Carole Jean Whittington on how neurodivergent grief intersects with burnout. From understanding grief as love to finding practical ways to care for yourself during tough times, this series is packed with insights, real stories, and supportive strategies to help you navigate this season. 🎧 Catch all 4 episodes now on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube! 💬 Which episode resonated with you the most? Let us know in the comments below! #BeyondChronicBurnout #GriefAndBurnout #NeurodivergentGrief #HolidayHealing #PodcastSeries

Grief is complex, and for neurodivergent and disabled individuals, it often shows up in unique ways. In this bonus episode, Carole Jean Whittington—host of Beyond Chronic Burnout—shares her expertise on the intersection of grief and burnout, especially for neurodivergent folks. From the loss of a loved one to the grief of letting go of a career, an identity, or even family relationships, Carole Jean explores how grief and burnout often overlap. She offers practical strategies to care for yourself during the holiday season, reminding us that grief is a valid and natural response to love and change. Key Topics: How neurodivergent grief differs from neurotypical experiences. Types of grief: pet loss, career shifts, family separation, and more. The connection between grief and burnout. Self-care practices for grief, burnout, and the holidays. Creating supportive spaces and connections during the holidays. Tune in for practical advice and heartfelt insights to help you navigate grief this season. 🔗 Connect with Carole Jean Whittington:  Take the Spicy Pepper Quiz and explore Carole Jean's new book 'Unleashing Sustainable Energy' at Whittington Well-Being's website: https://whittingtonwellbeing.com/  Take the Spicy Pepper Burnout Quiz and discover if you are in burnout or not, and if so, what’s your burnout level from a Poblano Pepper Level 1, where there’s just a bit of heat up to the Ghost Pepper Level 5 when “you’re so hot, you’re not.” Take the Quiz: https://energize.whittingtonwellbeing.com/products/courses/view/1155744  🔗 Links from the show: https://www.thetappingsolution.com/2021tws/reg/fbad/new-access-g.php?utm_source=google-paid&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21933004755-171665371395&utm_content=722632802830&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsOq6BhDuARIsAGQ4-zj8yQ7uw586OIeNGcp86LRZVhEKmy8cvIdk2yXgyYnjHSyV-1rH2D8aAiJSEALw_wcB 

Grief and burnout often go hand in hand, and they can feel overwhelming during the holiday season. In this compassionate conversation, mental health counselor and grief specialist Kate Rylander explores the ways grief and burnout intersect, especially for neurodivergent and disabled individuals. Kate’s work through HonoringX, an organization supporting parents grieving child loss, emphasizes the healing power of connection, community, and creativity. She shares her own journey of grief and how practices like journaling, meditation, and setting boundaries have transformed the way she supports herself and others. Key Topics: The connection between grief and burnout. Grief as an expression of love. Navigating holiday pressures with authenticity. Practical tools: journaling, meditation, and boundaries. Finding connection and healing through community. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation filled with practical tools, gentle reminders, and a sense of hope this holiday season. 🔗 Connect with Carole Jean Whittington:  Take the Spicy Pepper Burnout Quiz and explore Carole Jean's new book 'Unleashing Sustainable Energy' at Whittington Well-Being's website: https://whittingtonwellbeing.com/  🔗 Connect with Kate Rylander:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kate-rylander-lawrence-ks/278733 

The holidays can bring joy, but for those navigating grief, they often amplify the pain of loss.  In this heartfelt conversation, Life Coach and Grief Educator Samantha Pickering shares her journey after the devastating loss of her son, Thomas. Samantha opens up about the challenges of grief during the holidays, societal expectations around grieving, and the tools she uses to support herself and others. Discover how sensory connections, movement, and sound can create healing spaces for those grieving. Samantha also introduces her Grief Support Boxes, thoughtfully crafted to bring connection and comfort to those in pain.  Whether you’re navigating grief yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers practical tools, compassionate insights, and gentle reminders that you are not alone. Key Topics: Grief as a lifelong journey. Navigating the holidays with grief. Samantha’s personal story of child loss. The healing power of movement, breath, and sound. How Grief Support Boxes offer connection and understanding. 🔗 Connect with Carole Jean Whittington:  Take the Spicy Pepper Burnout Quiz and explore Carole Jean's new book 'Unleashing Sustainable Energy' at Whittington Well-Being's website: https://whittingtonwellbeing.com/  🔗 Connect with Samantha Pickering:  https://www.vilomahsolace.com/  Tune in to find support and connection this holiday season.(box ordering link - active now, for those who want to order before the website is live)https://www.canva.com/design/DAGUjzesOeA/f5rXHorPCeQZHMgiT6y6og/view?utm_content=DAGUjzesOeA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor