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51: On Autism, Conscientiousness, Self-Acceptance, and the Pursuit of Work-Life Balance as a Neurodivergent Person in a Neurotypical World - Helen Jeffries' Story
I'm sorry to say that I've had to include a trigger warning at the start of this podcast episode, to warn listeners that some of the themes touched on throughout my recorded conversation with Helen Jeffries - a Senior Civil Servant in the UK Government, a prolific blogger on autism, a Trustee for the charity Ambitious about Autism, and an accomplished musician - are of a heavy nature, including a discussion on suicide.
Herself autistic, Helen's work-life balance story is told through the lens of someone that lives and works with autism. And the sad truth of the matter is that autistic people - and neurodivergent people more broadly - face tough challenges when juggling work and other things in life in a world designed for neurotypical brains.
The impact on their mental health can be significant, and throughout our conversation, Helen draws some vital attention to this reality, which is both enlightening and sobering.
It's not easy to hear, but for those of us that live and work with neurodivergent people (which, let's face it, is most of us), it's an important insight. And I hope that those listening who themselves are autistic, or neurodivergent in another way, take comfort, courage and inspiration from listening to Helen's work-life balance story.
It's not all doom and gloom mind you. As much as this episode is about recognising the additional challenges that autistic people face in their pursuit of balance, it is also about strength, honesty, and being unapologetically yourself.
We touch on the role that societal expectations play too, as well as how a person's faith and religion impacts their sense of work-life balance.
Helen also provides a unique perspective on the work-life balance foibles of neurotypical people - listen to the end of the episode to learn from her astute and thought-provoking observations!
You can follow Helen Jeffries' blog at: https://helenjeffries.wordpress.com
RELATED EPISODES/LINKS:
Ali’s Story – Artistic License: When ‘work’ is life, and ‘life’ is work – Dyslexia and the Trappings of Domesticity:
https://a-fine-balance.com/2021/02/24/alis-story/
45: On Infertility Struggles, Undesired Childlessness, and How to Regain Balance and Find Your Purpose When You Find Yourself in Unexpected Circumstances - Lana Manikowski's Story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/39rxsuhudvR91mOFvMPv24?si=A26y_e06S4CkTeSsDsiabw
40: How to Find a Work-Life Balance by Working More - Work, Life, Balance Lesson #9: https://open.spotify.com/episode/08eUqMnAZE3QjJyUUYhGQQ?si=RLGWJe6mQ6y2OAl7SlH8eg
38: How to Find a Work-Life Balance When You’re a Perfectionist – Work, Life, Balance Lesson #8: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oVY4srbWNoD1us2jWNsW1?si=hwhqJT4uR2it3IMxsTTjbQ
29: DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH SPECIAL: Pursuing a Work-Life Balance When You’re Disabled - Emma Livingstone’s Story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0A98AP9zTkMzg9TYMDoC9J?si=Klo6jU_LQ12coM9fwZ1kFg
21: Finding Work-Life Balance as an Introvert in a Family and Workplace of Extroverts - Rami Madbouli’s Story:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gZWfgqu0KGzinvsFLH9bB?si=WlI7in6oQdSzh7Fj7fiE9g
14: On Pride, Acceptance & Finding Balance by Parenting Equally While Working Full-Time-Paul's Story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YPLrhoJhTGHRVNfftAsKS?si=MNSOxxqWSVyYqqPrc_g7BQ
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By Dalya WittenbergI'm sorry to say that I've had to include a trigger warning at the start of this podcast episode, to warn listeners that some of the themes touched on throughout my recorded conversation with Helen Jeffries - a Senior Civil Servant in the UK Government, a prolific blogger on autism, a Trustee for the charity Ambitious about Autism, and an accomplished musician - are of a heavy nature, including a discussion on suicide.
Herself autistic, Helen's work-life balance story is told through the lens of someone that lives and works with autism. And the sad truth of the matter is that autistic people - and neurodivergent people more broadly - face tough challenges when juggling work and other things in life in a world designed for neurotypical brains.
The impact on their mental health can be significant, and throughout our conversation, Helen draws some vital attention to this reality, which is both enlightening and sobering.
It's not easy to hear, but for those of us that live and work with neurodivergent people (which, let's face it, is most of us), it's an important insight. And I hope that those listening who themselves are autistic, or neurodivergent in another way, take comfort, courage and inspiration from listening to Helen's work-life balance story.
It's not all doom and gloom mind you. As much as this episode is about recognising the additional challenges that autistic people face in their pursuit of balance, it is also about strength, honesty, and being unapologetically yourself.
We touch on the role that societal expectations play too, as well as how a person's faith and religion impacts their sense of work-life balance.
Helen also provides a unique perspective on the work-life balance foibles of neurotypical people - listen to the end of the episode to learn from her astute and thought-provoking observations!
You can follow Helen Jeffries' blog at: https://helenjeffries.wordpress.com
RELATED EPISODES/LINKS:
Ali’s Story – Artistic License: When ‘work’ is life, and ‘life’ is work – Dyslexia and the Trappings of Domesticity:
https://a-fine-balance.com/2021/02/24/alis-story/
45: On Infertility Struggles, Undesired Childlessness, and How to Regain Balance and Find Your Purpose When You Find Yourself in Unexpected Circumstances - Lana Manikowski's Story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/39rxsuhudvR91mOFvMPv24?si=A26y_e06S4CkTeSsDsiabw
40: How to Find a Work-Life Balance by Working More - Work, Life, Balance Lesson #9: https://open.spotify.com/episode/08eUqMnAZE3QjJyUUYhGQQ?si=RLGWJe6mQ6y2OAl7SlH8eg
38: How to Find a Work-Life Balance When You’re a Perfectionist – Work, Life, Balance Lesson #8: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oVY4srbWNoD1us2jWNsW1?si=hwhqJT4uR2it3IMxsTTjbQ
29: DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH SPECIAL: Pursuing a Work-Life Balance When You’re Disabled - Emma Livingstone’s Story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0A98AP9zTkMzg9TYMDoC9J?si=Klo6jU_LQ12coM9fwZ1kFg
21: Finding Work-Life Balance as an Introvert in a Family and Workplace of Extroverts - Rami Madbouli’s Story:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gZWfgqu0KGzinvsFLH9bB?si=WlI7in6oQdSzh7Fj7fiE9g
14: On Pride, Acceptance & Finding Balance by Parenting Equally While Working Full-Time-Paul's Story: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YPLrhoJhTGHRVNfftAsKS?si=MNSOxxqWSVyYqqPrc_g7BQ