Hi from the burnout bunker!

I’m Radgie—writer, storyteller, systems enthusiast, and currently operating at about 40% battery, mostly thanks to peach iced tea, poetry drafts, and the occasional existential crisis.

I was diagnosed autistic in adulthood (at 46 just three months ago), which explained a lot: my love of structure, my aversion to fluorescent lighting, and my tendency to treat small talk like a boss fight.

Until recently, I was an assistant manager at an autism specialist college—a role I cared deeply about, but one that eventually asked more than I could sustainably give. I’ve stepped down to a tutor role to protect my regulation and wellbeing, but I’ll be honest: I’m still deep in the burnout woods, trying to navigate with a compass made of metaphors and caffeine.

I’m here to reconnect with the parts of myself that don’t revolve around crisis management or masking. I love creative writing (especially poetry and sensory-rich fiction), vocal storytelling, and building low-pressure, neurodivergent-friendly routines. I’m also slowly working on a portfolio site and a storytelling channel—gently, at my own pace, and with full permission to pause.

If you’re navigating burnout, late diagnosis, or want to chat about writing, advocacy, or the strange comfort of existential humour, I’d love to connect.

I’m not always quick to reply (executive function is a fickle beast), but I’m always glad to be here.

Parents
  • Hi and welcome to the community. I'm a woman in my sixties and retired now, so no longer burnt out, although my recent home move was akin to a very long boss fight!

    I enjoy playing video games and I've always been interested in books and writing, and I like weird, fun poetry such as Jabberwocky in Alice through the looking glass.

     "Twas brillig, and the slithy tothes did gyre & gimble in the wabe

    All mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe"

    Hope you enjoy chatting with us.

Reply
  • Hi and welcome to the community. I'm a woman in my sixties and retired now, so no longer burnt out, although my recent home move was akin to a very long boss fight!

    I enjoy playing video games and I've always been interested in books and writing, and I like weird, fun poetry such as Jabberwocky in Alice through the looking glass.

     "Twas brillig, and the slithy tothes did gyre & gimble in the wabe

    All mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe"

    Hope you enjoy chatting with us.

Children
  • Hi Lotus,

    I love the Jabberwocky as well. I love the nonsensical language and have used it in my teaching career before to highlight the need to explain jargon words when teaching SEND pupils. I am currently trying to find a new place to live as I have a particularly bad upstairs neighbour who is making my life a sensory hell at the moment.

    I hope that you're settled in your new home now, though.