If you’re foggy, overwhelmed, emotionally stretched, or running on empty right now, it’s not a lack of motivation. It’s your nervous system trying to keep you afloat during the most demanding time of the year.

While anyone can experience burnout, autistic burnout tends to be more severe and longer lasting, and it’s deeply connected to identity, sensory processing, and the cumulative impact of living in a world not designed for autistic needs.

RSD, or Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, is an incredibly painful—and at times, debilitating—internal experience triggered by a real or perceived criticism or rejection.