🌿 Spring Awakening: Embracing Growth Without Burnout as a Neurodivergent Adult

Ah, spring. Cherry blossoms are popping off, and yep, that means spring has totally sprung in the PNW! It’s the season of chirping birds, blooming flowers, and the world collectively deciding it’s time to be productive again. Everywhere you look, people are deep-cleaning their houses, signing up for yoga challenges, and talking about their "spring refresh" like they’re a human version of the Home Edit.

But let’s be real—if you’re neurodivergent, this time of year can be a lot. One day, you’re peacefully vibing in your winter cocoon, and the next, the sun is aggressively too bright, social invites are flying at you, and suddenly, everyone expects you to have energy again? Rude. The pressure to spring clean our lives, become hyper-productive, or suddenly embrace social plans can quickly lead to burnout.

If the pressure of spring is already making you want to hibernate until October, don’t worry—I got you. Growth doesn’t have to be exhausting. Spring can be a time for gentle renewal—one that honors your neurodivergent needs rather than pushing against them. Instead of seeing this season as a time for rigid self-improvement, let’s reframe it as an opportunity to nurture yourself in a way that feels good for you.

Here’s how to embrace the season without burning out, overcommitting, or getting sucked into a Pinterest-worthy productivity spiral.

🌱 Step One: Drop the Spring Productivity Cult Mentality

Somewhere along the way, we all got tricked into believing that spring = do a full-body, full-home, full-life transformation or else you’ve failed as a person. Spoiler alert: That’s a scam.

You do not have to:
❌ Declutter your entire house like Marie Kondo is personally watching.
❌ Meal prep 47 jars of overnight oats.
❌ Start a garden if you kill every plant you touch (relatable).
❌ Suddenly become a “morning person” because the sun is up earlier (ugh).

Instead of "new season, new me," try "new season, same weird me, but with maybe a little more sunshine."

🔥 Try This Instead:

✅ Pick one tiny, low-energy way to refresh your space (like lighting a candle or washing your favorite hoodie). What small shifts would genuinely bring me joy?
✅ Let go of one thing that makes your life harder (bye, guilt-ridden to-do lists!). *Where can I make changes that support my needs, rather than fight them?*
✅ Decide that existing is enough of an accomplishment this season.

Seriously—just because the flowers are thriving doesn’t mean you have to. Minimal effort is still effort.

If growth for you means taking more naps, slowing down, or simply not forcing yourself into change—that’s just as valid.

Instead of measuring progress by output (how much you clean, accomplish, or change), measure it by alignment—how much you honor your needs, find joy, and feel at ease in your life.

🏡 A Low-Pressure Approach to Spring Cleaning:

• Pick one small, manageable thing that would make your space feel more comfortable (like decluttering just your nightstand instead of tackling your whole room).

• Use a "spoon theory" approach—work in short bursts instead of long, exhausting sessions.

• Reframe organization as self-care, not punishment—keep what makes you happy, release what doesn’t.
  
  
  

☀️ Step Two: Beware of Sensory & Social Whiplash

Spring might be pretty, but it also comes with aggressive environmental changes that can send your nervous system into overdrive. It’s like the world goes from calm, quiet winter mode to full-volume overnight.

Suddenly, we’re dealing with:
😵‍💫 Blinding sunlight at 7 AM (who approved this??).
🙃 Temperature roulette (is it summer? Is it winter? Who knows!).
😬 Pollen trying to kill us.
😵 Overcrowded parks, farmers' markets, and people wanting to hang out outside.

And let’s not forget the social pressure—because apparently, longer days = more time to be social? Yikes.

✨ Spring Survival Tips for the Overstimulated Neurodivergent:

🌤️ Ease into sunlight exposure – If you’re light-sensitive, consider transition lenses, a hat, or blue-light-filter glasses when going outside.

🌞 Sunglasses = essential (even indoors if you’re feeling extra).

🌿 Modify your environment – If warmer weather changes your sensory needs, try switching up your wardrobe with softer, looser fabrics or wearing noise-canceling earbuds for crowded outdoor spaces.

🌸 Allergy meds = self-care (because breathing is, in fact, important).

🎧 Noise-canceling headphones = spring’s real MVP (because birds chirping at 4 AM is not a vibe).

📅 Pace yourself socially – Spring brings an influx of invitations (picnics, gatherings, outdoor events). Before automatically saying “yes,” check in with your social battery and give yourself permission to decline or set limits.

📅 Social plans = OPTIONAL (you don’t have to say yes to every picnic, BBQ, or “quick coffee” that turns into a three-hour conversation).

💡 Questions to ask yourself before making social plans:

• Do I actually want to go, or do I feel obligated?

• If I go, how can I set a boundary to protect my energy?

• Do I need an exit strategy? (e.g., driving yourself, setting a time limit)
  
  It’s okay to re-enter the world at your own pace. You don’t have to match the world’s energy level just because the season has changed.

🌼 Step Three: Embrace Joy Over Obligation

Spring doesn’t have to be a season of doing more—it can be a time to reconnect with what makes life feel good. Often, neurodivergent folks experience burnout because we push ourselves to meet external expectations rather than following what genuinely energizes us.

Let’s flip the script:

• Instead of "What should I be doing this spring?" ask, "What would make me feel most alive?"

• Instead of productivity goals, set play goals—What sounds fun? What piques your curiosity?

• Instead of trying to be "better," focus on feeling more like yourself.
  
  

🌸 Spring Activities for the Chronically Overwhelmed:

✨ Start a low-commitment hobby—gardening, art, puzzles, or any activity that feels fun but not stressful.
✨ Change one small part of your routine that feels refreshing—this could be as simple as swapping a new playlist, trying a different coffee blend, or rearranging a corner of your room.
✨ Create sensory-friendly outdoor experiences—a quiet nature walk, sitting in a park with noise-canceling headphones, or finding a cozy café patio.
✨ Engage in "gentle socializing"—things like parallel play (existing with a friend without needing to talk much), sending voice memos instead of meeting in person, or having short social outings with clear time limits.

Spring doesn’t have to mean fixing yourself—it can be about embracing who you are and allowing yourself to experience joy without pressure.

🌷 Spring, On Your Own Terms

The world may be waking up, but you don’t have to keep up with anyone else’s version of spring renewal. Growth can be slow, quiet, and deeply personal. Whether it means resting more, setting new boundaries, or simply enjoying the longer days—you get to decide what this season looks like for you.

You don’t have to deep-clean your house.
You don’t have to reinvent yourself.
You don’t have to say yes to every invite.
You don’t have to pretend to like gardening.

You do get to:
✔️ Honor your energy.
✔️ Say no to things that drain you.
✔️ Find your version of joy.
✔️ Take naps whenever the hell you want.

Thriving isn’t about how much you do—it’s about how much you honor yourself.

So, tell me—what’s your low-effort, high-impact way to enjoy spring? Drop a comment, and let’s swap ideas! 💛

🌟 Want to Build a Life That Works for Your Neurodivergent Brain?

Spring is about embracing who you are, not forcing yourself to be something you’re not. If you’re ready to stop masking, break free from burnout, and create a life that actually supports your neurodivergent needs, I’ve got you.

✨ My 6-week course, “Unapologetically You: A Neurodivergent Path to Confidence, Connection, and Fulfillment,” is designed to help you:
✔️ Build self-acceptance and let go of shame
✔️ Recover from burnout in a way that works for your brain
✔️ Set boundaries and advocate for your needs
✔️ Understand your sensory profile & nervous system

🎉 Doors open soon! Join the newsletter learn more and join the waitlist!

Here’s to living life unapologetically—cheers! 🥂