Episode 265: When the Dogs Stop Saying Hi: The Human Need for Connection and Belonging - Patricia Young

Patricia (she/her) explores the complexities of community, being perceived, and the challenges of navigating relationships amidst misunderstandings and cancel culture. She shares personal experiences of rupture and repair within her community, reflecting on the emotional impact of feeling excluded and the importance of acknowledging one’s behavior in relationships. Patricia also highlights the simultaneous beauty of connections and celebrations, even amidst challenges, emphasizing the need for self-acceptance and understanding in the face of adversity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The emotional toll of being perceived in a way that doesn’t match how we see ourselves
Owning mistakes and navigating the possibility of repair (even when others might not be open)
The pain of being excluded from community events and how rejection sensitivity & OCD can flare
Mixed emotions around her birthday — feeling both unseen by some and deeply loved by others
The balance between taking accountability and resisting self-abandonment
Practices of self-compassion when reassurance doesn’t come from others
What happens when justice, fragility, and nuance collide in relationships
Her growing love of animals, volunteering with horses, and a longing to return to simple joys
A behind-the-scenes peek into the Unapologetically AuDHD podcast launch
The challenges of time agnosia in friendships and how ND folks can navigate it compassionately
Updates on kayaking, paddleboarding, and listening to her nervous system
A gentle invitation to ask yourself: Would I want to be in community with people who won’t repair?

HIGHLIGHTS

The challenge of being perceived differently than how we see ourselves.
Rupture and repair are essential components of relationships.
Community can provide both support and feelings of exclusion.
Setting boundaries is a right everyone has.
Cancel culture can complicate personal relationships.
Acknowledging one’s behavior is crucial for repair.
It’s important to celebrate connections amidst challenges.
Sensitivity is a unique trait that should be embraced.
Self-acceptance is key to navigating emotional turmoil.
Finding joy in small moments can help during difficult times.

SOUND BITES

“Rupture and repair is part of being human. And sometimes repair doesn’t happen — but that doesn’t mean we stop showing up with integrity.”

“My OCD wants reassurance. And sometimes, I just have to sit with that and give it to myself.”

“We all have a primal need for belonging. And when that’s taken away, it’s a wound that goes deep.”

“I want to spend time with animals.”

“It’s okay to not be social.”

“It’s okay to feel connected.”

SENSITIVITY IS NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR; IT’S HOW YOUR BRAIN IS WIRED

You are not broken. You were shaped by systems that weren’t built for you. You deserve rest, joy, and support exactly as you are.

TOPICS COVERED

00:00 Navigating Community and Perception

11:44 Rupture and Repair in Relationships

19:20 Celebrating Connections Amidst Challenges

25:44 Embracing Sensitivity and Self-Acceptance

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’s 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’t 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’s website, podcast episodes and more: twww.unapologeticallysensitive.com