Waking Up Neurodivergent Wednesday
At the end of the year, we’re told to count blessings, celebrate growth, and feel hopeful. But what if what you actually feel is… done?
In this heartfelt episode, Blaze shares the story of a client navigating year-end grief — the quiet kind that arrives after months of masking, missed milestones, and emotional fatigue. You’ll hear what it means to honor that grief, release expectations, and end the year with softness instead of pressure.
You don’t need to feel grateful to be healing. Some years end with grief — and that’s valid too.
This story echoes the blog: “When the Year Ends and the Grief Arrives” — read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Want support for your soft goodbye? Visit the blog + book a Clarity & Connection Call.
📘 Unmasked Self-Acceptance offers one gentle message a day — grief-honoring support for your neurodivergent heart.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon | More
#YearEndReflection #NeurodivergentGrief #NDHealing #EmotionalSafety #UnmaskedLiving #MaskingRecovery #NDMentalHealth #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #YouBelongHere #SoftGoodbye
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
As the year winds down, many neurodivergent adults feel a quiet grief rise to the surface — unspoken, unresolved, and often mislabeled as simple exhaustion.
In this episode, Blaze offers a therapist’s perspective on the kind of grief that hides beneath year-end fatigue: missed milestones, masked identities, emotional disconnect, and everything that didn’t quite happen. Learn how to honor that grief with gentle rituals, nervous system care, and permission to pause — without rushing into the new year.
You don’t have to feel ready. You’re allowed to grieve what didn’t happen — and begin again later.
This episode is a companion to the blog:
“When the Year Ends and the Grief Arrives” — read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Feeling the ache?
Visit the blog + book a Clarity & Connection Call.
Unmasked Self-Acceptance holds space for your grief too — with one daily message to honor what hurts and soothe what’s softening.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon | More
#YearEndGrief #NeurodivergentBurnout #AmbiguousLoss #PermissionToPause #EmotionalFatigue #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #TherapyForNDAdults #UnmaskedLiving #GentleEnding #NDHealing
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
In this gentle story, Blaze shares the experience of a client who stopped performing the holidays and started honoring herself. Instead of decorating, hosting, and masking exhaustion, she chose stillness, tea, sketching, and rest — and discovered that a quiet day could bring more meaning than a month of effort ever had.
This episode is a soft invitation to rebuild the season on your own terms — one that centers your nervous system, not tradition.
Emotional takeaway: You’re allowed to un-choose what depletes you. Rituals can be rebuilt around rest, honesty, and self-connection.
This story echoes the blog: “Creating Traditions That Actually Fit Your ND Life” — read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Ready to reclaim the season? Book a Clarity & Connection Call.
Buy the Book on Amazon: 📘 Unmasked Self-Acceptance offers a new kind of tradition: one soft message a day — a gift that lasts all year.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon | More
#NeurodivergentHolidays #AuthenticRituals #NDRest #MaskingRecovery #PermissionToPause #SelfConnection #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #TherapyForNDAdults #HolidayOverwhelm #UnmaskedLiving
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
What if your holiday rituals left you feeling grounded, not drained?
In this episode, Blaze explores how neurodivergent adults can gently reclaim the holiday season by building rituals that match their sensory needs, emotional rhythms, and lived truth. You’ll learn how to audit inherited traditions, identify your natural pace, and create meaningful, manageable rituals — without guilt.
Emotional takeaway: You don’t have to keep performing traditions that leave you overwhelmed. You’re allowed to create rituals that feel like rest.
This episode is a companion to the blog: “Creating Traditions That Actually Fit Your ND Life” — read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Ready to reshape the holidays? Book a Clarity & Connection Call.
Buy the Kindle Book on Amazon: Unmasked Self-Acceptance invites you to start a new tradition — one gentle message a day, all year long.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon | More
#NeurodivergentHolidays #NDTraditions #MaskingRecovery #RitualOverRoutine #EmotionalSafety #NervousSystemRegulation #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #TherapyForNDAdults #UnmaskedLiving #SelfCompassion
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
In this storytelling episode, Blaze shares the experience of a client who felt emotionally invisible during a lively holiday gathering — present but not connected, loved but not understood.
This story speaks to the quiet ache of ND loneliness — the kind that shows up even when you’re surrounded by people you care about. It offers reflection, resonance, and permission to honor your sensory and emotional boundaries without shame.
Emotional takeaway: Feeling disconnected in a full room doesn’t mean something is wrong with you — it means your nervous system is asking for something deeper, quieter, more real.
This episode echoes the themes from the blog: “Loneliness During the Holidays: Navigating Disconnection” — read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Craving real connection? Book a Clarity & Connection Call
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon | More
#NDLoneliness #NeurodivergentEmotions #SensoryOverwhelm #QuietConnection #EmotionalSafety #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #MaskingRecovery #SelfCompassion #YouBelong #NDHolidays
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
Feeling lonely during the holidays — even when you’re surrounded by people — is more common than you think, especially for neurodivergent adults.
In this episode, Blaze explores how ND loneliness often stems not from isolation, but from emotional disconnection and the pressure to mask. You’ll learn gentle, therapist-informed ways to care for your longing without pushing yourself into uncomfortable or exhausting social spaces.
Emotional takeaway: You don’t have to force a connection to deserve it. Real belonging honors your rhythm, your needs, and your truth.
This episode is a companion to the blog, “Loneliness During the Holidays: Navigating Disconnection” — read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Want to feel more supported this season? Book a Clarity & Connection Call.
Buy the Book: 📘 Unmasked Self-Acceptance offers one grounding message a day — a quiet reminder that you belong, even when you’re alone.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon | More
#NDHolidays #NeurodivergentLoneliness #MaskingRecovery #EmotionalSafety #QuietConnection #AuthenticRelationships #TherapyForNDAdults #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #SelfAcceptance #YouBelong
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
A holiday party. Too much light. Too much sound. Too many expectations.
In this storytelling episode, Blaze shares a personal moment of shutdown — and the quiet clarity that came after.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever slipped away from the noise and hidden in a bathroom stall just to breathe. It offers deep emotional resonance, validation for sensory overload, and a reminder that needing quiet doesn’t make you broken — it makes you human.
Emotional takeaway: Sensory needs aren’t weaknesses. They’re wisdom — and honoring them is an act of self-trust.
This story echoes the themes from this week’s blog: “Safety in the Season of Sparkle: How to Protect Your ND Nervous System” — read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Ready to feel seen this season? Visit the website + book a Clarity & Connection Call.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon | More
#SensoryOverload #NeurodivergentLife #AutisticAdults #HolidayOverstimulation #MaskingRecovery #SensoryNeeds #EmotionalSafety #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NDShutdown #RestIsValid
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
Episode 75: Therapist Tools for a Calmer Holiday Nervous System
The holidays aren’t neutral — especially for neurodivergent nervous systems.
In this episode, Blaze shares simple, sensory-informed tools to help you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed this December.
Learn how to map your sensory day, carry a calming anchor, and create gentle exit plans — all in service of nervous system safety, not perfection.
This episode offers emotional permission to slow down, choose peace over pressure, and care for your system in ways that honor your truth.
Emotional takeaway: You’re not too sensitive — your body is telling the truth. Sensory safety is valid, necessary, and deeply worthy of respect.
This episode is a companion to the blog, “Safety in the Season of Sparkle: How to Protect Your ND Nervous System” — read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Ready for more calm this season? Visit the blog + book a Clarity & Connection Call.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple | Spotify | Google | Amazon | More
#NeurodivergentHolidays #SensorySafety #ADHDBurnout #AutismOverwhelm #NeurodivergentTherapist #MaskingAndMeltdowns #NervousSystemRegulation #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #TherapyForNDAdults #EmotionalSafety
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
After the Holidays — The Emotional Hangover
In this storytelling episode, Blaze shares the final chapter of Sam’s journey — what happens after the holidays end. When the adrenaline fades and exhaustion hits, the emotional hangover begins. Through this gentle, body-centered reflection, Blaze explores how post-holiday fatigue is a sign of healing, not failure.
You’ll Hear:
Emotional Takeaway:
Your tiredness isn’t a problem to fix — it’s a message to honor.
Read the companion blog: “When Family Feels Like Too Much: Preventing ND Holiday Burnout” at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Explore: Book a Clarity & Connection Call or read Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance: A Year of Gentle Support.
🎧 Listen anywhere podcasts are found.
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #WakingUpNeurodivergent #NeurodivergentHealing #EmotionalHangover #NDRecovery #SensoryRest #SelfCompassion #UnmaskedSelfAcceptance #RestIsRegulation
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
Therapist Tools for Managing ND Family Burnout
The holidays can push even the most self-aware neurodivergent adults into overwhelm. In this Therapy Insights episode, Blaze shares clinical tools and a powerful client story about preventing emotional burnout during family gatherings — without disappearing or pretending.
You’ll Learn:
Emotional Takeaway:
You don’t need to fix your capacity — you just need to honor it.
Read the companion blog: “When Family Feels Like Too Much: Preventing ND Holiday Burnout” at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Explore: Book a Clarity & Connection Call or read Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance: A Year of Gentle Support.
🎧 Listen anywhere podcasts are found.
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #TherapyInsightsTuesday #NeurodivergentHealing #NDHolidayBurnout #FamilyBoundaries #SelfRegulation #EmotionalRecovery #UnmaskedSelfAcceptance #RestIsRevolution
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
We Fought in the Parking Lot Before the Party
In this storytelling episode, Blaze shares a tender story about Lena and Marcus — a neurodivergent couple learning to navigate holiday overwhelm and emotional repair. When a parking lot fight threatens to ruin the night, they discover a deeper truth: conflict can be a bridge back to connection.
You’ll Hear:
Emotional Takeaway:
You don’t have to get it perfect to stay connected. Love grows in the small moments when you choose honesty over performance.
Read the companion blog: “When Holiday Stress Strains ND Partnerships” at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Explore: Book a Clarity & Connection Call or learn about Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance: A Year of Gentle Support.
🎧 Listen anywhere podcasts are found.
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #WakingUpNeurodivergent #NeurodivergentCouples #HolidayStress #EmotionalSafety #AuthenticConnection #RepairNotPerfection #UnmaskedSelfAcceptance
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
Therapist Tools for ND Couples During the Holidays
The holidays can magnify differences between neurodivergent and neurotypical partners. In this episode, Blaze offers research-based therapist tools to help ND couples protect connection, lower stress, and communicate with compassion — even when family, noise, and expectations run high.
You’ll Learn:
Emotional Takeaway:
Connection thrives in safety, not perfection. Your love doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s — it just needs room to breathe.
Read the companion blog: “When Holiday Stress Strains ND Partnerships” at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Explore: Book a Clarity & Connection Call or read Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance: A Year of Gentle Support.
🎧 Listen anywhere podcasts are found.
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #TherapyInsightsTuesday #NeurodivergentRelationships #NDPartners #HolidayStress #CouplesTherapy #EmotionalSafety #Polyvagal #NeurodiversityAffirming
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
The Year I Said No to Turkey
In this storytelling episode, Blaze shares the story of a client who found emotional freedom the year she said no to hosting Thanksgiving. Through honesty, fear, and relief, she discovered that boundaries don’t break connection — they rebuild it.
You’ll Hear:
Emotional Takeaway:
Love doesn’t require exhaustion. Boundaries protect the parts of you that make connection possible.
Read the companion blog: “Why ND Families Struggle with Holiday Expectations” at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Explore: Book a Clarity & Connection Call or learn about Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance: A Year of Gentle Support.
🎧 Listen anywhere podcasts are found.
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #WakingUpNeurodivergent #NeurodivergentBoundaries #HolidayStress #AuthenticConnection #FamilyExpectations #RestIsRegulation #SelfCompassion #NeurodiversityAffirming
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
Therapist Tools for Setting Boundaries Without Guilt
Boundaries can feel impossible for neurodivergent adults who grew up reading emotional cues to stay safe. Blaze shares therapist-tested tools to help you communicate clearly, honor capacity, and release guilt — especially around family expectations and the holidays.
You’ll Learn:
Emotional Takeaway:
You can care deeply and still say no. Boundaries aren’t rejection — they’re how love becomes sustainable.
Read the companion blog: “Why ND Families Struggle with Holiday Expectations” at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Explore: Book a Clarity & Connection Call or learn about Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance: A Year of Gentle Support.
🎧 Listen anywhere podcasts are found.
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #TherapyInsightsTuesday #NeurodivergentBoundaries #HolidayStress #AutismAndADHD #SelfRegulation #EmotionalSafety #TraumaInformedCare #NDRelationships
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
Episode 68: When Gratitude Becomes Another Chore
In this storytelling episode, Blaze shares a composite client story about gratitude fatigue — the moment when expressing thankfulness feels more like pressure than peace. Through the lens of neurodivergent masking and emotional labor, this episode explores how authenticity, not performance, reconnects us to true appreciation.
You’ll Hear:
Emotional Takeaway:
You don’t have to feel grateful to deserve rest. Gratitude will return when your system feels safe again.
Read the companion blog: “The Hidden Labor of Gratitude in ND Relationships” at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Explore: Book a Clarity & Connection Call or learn about Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance: A Year of Gentle Support.
🎧 Listen anywhere podcasts are found.
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #WakingUpNeurodivergent #GratitudeFatigue #EmotionalSafety #NeurodivergentHealing #AutisticWomen #MaskingExhaustion #AuthenticLiving #RestIsRegulation
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
Episode 67: Why Gratitude Practices Can Feel Hollow
Traditional gratitude exercises can feel like pressure — especially for neurodivergent adults managing emotional labor, masking, and sensory load. Blaze explores how gratitude becomes meaningful again when we shift from performance to presence, grounding the conversation in both therapeutic experience and research on regulation.
You’ll Learn:
Emotional Takeaway:
You don’t have to fake positivity to be kind. Real gratitude begins where honesty and safety meet.
Read the companion blog: “The Hidden Labor of Gratitude in ND Relationships” at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Explore: Book a Clarity & Connection Call or learn about Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance: A Year of Gentle Support.
🎧 Listen anywhere podcasts are found.
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #TherapyInsightsTuesday #GratitudeFatigue #NeurodivergentHealing #AutismAndADHD #HolidayStress #ReliefNotPerformance #EmotionalSafety
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
When Holiday Traditions Feel Like Traps
For many neurodivergent adults, holiday traditions meant to bring joy can end up feeling like obligations that drain energy. Smiling through events, hosting under pressure, or keeping rituals alive “because that’s how it’s always been done” often leads to exhaustion and collapse.
In this storytelling episode, Blaze shares the story of Samira, a client who discovered that the traditions she was carrying were actually traps. By redefining what felt sacred and letting go of what didn’t, she created a holiday season that felt more restful, intentional, and safe.
The takeaway? Traditions aren’t sacred if they cost your well-being. You’re allowed to redesign them to fit your nervous system.
This story echoes themes from the blog, “Why Holidays Can Feel Like Pressure Cookers for ND Couples.” Find it at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance, launches November 18, 2025 — offering 365 gentle reflections to help you release the pressure of tradition and find rest all year long.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #ADHDAwarenessMonth #NDHolidays #NeurodivergentRelationships #ADHDOverwhelm #MaskingAndExhaustion #UnmaskedSelfAcceptance #NeurodiversityAffirming #YouAreNotBroken #EmotionalSafety
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
Therapist Tools for Calmer ND Holidays
The holidays often feel like pressure cookers — with social expectations, sensory overload, and traditions that demand too much. For neurodivergent individuals and couples, this season can bring hidden stress, overwhelm, and disconnection.
In this episode, Blaze shares therapist-informed tools to help create calmer, more intentional holidays: mapping boundaries, building buffer time, redistributing roles, and creating rituals that don’t demand masking. She also highlights new research showing how holidays impact neurodivergent adults — from increased executive load to higher social fatigue.
The takeaway? Holidays don’t have to hurt. With intention and boundaries, they can become spaces of connection and rest.
This episode is a companion to the blog, “Why Holidays Can Feel Like Pressure Cookers for ND Couples.” Read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Blaze’s new book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance, launches November 18, 2025 — with 365 daily reflections to guide you through the holidays and beyond.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #ADHDAwarenessMonth #NDHolidays #NeurodivergentRelationships #ExecutiveFunctioning #MaskingAndExhaustion #NeurodiversityAffirming #UnmaskedSelfAcceptance #YouAreNotBroken #EmotionalSafety
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
I Smiled Through It All — Then Collapsed Later
Many neurodivergent women are praised for being “strong” and “resilient,” but what others don’t see is the cost: collapsing in private after smiling through the day.
In this storytelling episode, Blaze shares the story of Priya, a client who lived two lives — one where she appeared composed and positive, and another where she fell into bed every night exhausted from masking. You’ll learn how masking drains energy, why research links it to burnout and anxiety, and how small acts of unmasking can bring relief.
The takeaway? Smiling on the outside while collapsing on the inside isn’t weakness — it’s survival. And survival is exhausting.
This story echoes the blog, “The Hidden Cost of ADHD Masking: Why You Feel Bone-Tired.” Read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Want daily reminders that you don’t have to perform your way through life? Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance, comes out November 18th — just in time to support you through the holidays.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #ADHDAwarenessMonth #MaskingAndExhaustion #ADHDOverwhelm #NeurodivergentWomen #NeurodiversityAffirming #UnmaskedSelfAcceptance #EmotionalSafety #YouAreNotBroken #NeurodivergentHealing
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**
What Therapists See Beneath the Mask
On the surface, masking can look like confidence and competence. But as a therapist, Blaze often sees what’s really underneath: exhaustion, overwhelm, and the toll of surviving in a world that wasn’t built for neurodivergent nervous systems.
In this episode, Blaze unpacks why masking is so draining — from the constant executive load of self-monitoring to the emotional suppression that leads to collapse later. You’ll hear how masking is not strength but survival, and why survival strategies eventually leave us depleted.
The takeaway? Masking isn’t weakness, but it is exhausting. Gentle unmasking can help restore your energy and your truth.
This episode is a companion to the blog, “The Hidden Cost of ADHD Masking: Why You Feel Bone-Tired.” Read it now at LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com.
Blaze’s book, Unmasked Self-Acceptance, launches November 18th — with 365 daily reflections to support you in resting, unmasking, and softening into your full self.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
#LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #ADHDAwarenessMonth #MaskingAndExhaustion #ADHDOverwhelm #ExecutiveFunctioning #NeurodivergentWomen #UnmaskedSelfAcceptance #NeurodiversityAffirming #YouAreNotBroken #EmotionalSafety
Explore more tools, relationship guidance, and weekly blog posts at:
🌐 www.LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum.com
For behind-the-scenes reflections and bonus content, follow along on Instagram:
✨ Come for the real talk. Stay for the support. You’re not alone here.
**This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.
Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, is licensed in California. Listening does not create a therapeutic relationship or imply individualized advice.
Any tools or techniques shared are for general education only and do not guarantee results. Participation in educational offerings does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
All client examples are fictional and used solely for illustrative purposes.
If you’re in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 988 or contact local emergency services.**