Episode 277: Yes, I Twisted My Ankle. Yes, I Peed a Little - Patricia Young

Patricia Young (she/her) explores how change— even neutral change — can feel dysregulating, especially for autistic and neurodivergent people. From shifting family schedules and unexpected travel changes to navigating awkward neighbor dynamics and social gray areas, she shares real-life examples of practicing flexibility instead of binary thinking.

WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE

Why neutral change can still feel deeply dysregulating
The nervous system impact of shifting routines
Family schedule changes and the emotional whiplash that can follow
Anticipating the worst when others are gone
Grumbly thinking vs. reality when loved ones return
The binary autistic brain: all-or-nothing thinking patterns
Practicing middle ground instead of rigidity
Adjusting dog-walking routines without spiraling
Letting your body rest without labeling it as failure
Listening to fatigue cues after high-output days
Using structure for regulation without becoming trapped by it
Creating supportive environments (like curating a digital photo frame)
Finding connection through shared routines (AquaFit, food, walking dogs)
Traveling compatibility and how that reveals relational ease
Learning to self-regulate instead of outsourcing emotional regulation
Missing daily co-regulation but recognizing growth
Letting go of shame around aging-body moments (the sneeze/cough reality)
Neighbor conflict and not over-personalizing hostility
Rejection sensitivity and the meaning we attach to social behavior
Practicing social gray areas: cordial vs. friend vs. enemy

SOUND BITES

“Change isn’t good or bad. But it can still be hard.”
“Just because I feel grumbly doesn’t mean that’s the truth.”
“It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. There is a middle ground.”
“It’s not a failure to rest. It’s listening to my body.”

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.

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: www.unapologeticallysensitive.com

WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE

SOUND BITES

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

PODCAST HOST

LINKS