Autism Moms Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup, So Now What?

Thriving Moms of Autistics

Hi Moms! Are you feeling run down? Like you don’t have much more to give? We’ve all been there.

The good news is that you don’t have to stay there.

In this episode, I explore how to recognize when you are nearing that place where you get bogged down in that dark hole of chaos and exhaustion, and tips to move out of that very place.

Find the full transcript for this episode at

https://thrivingmomsofautistics.com/74

Please share the podcast with other moms to help them grow in their autism journey. You can also do this by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. I appreciate you!

Also, check out the Thriving Moms of Autistics YouTube Channel and hit subscribe!

How Can Moms of Autistics Get Ahead of the Breaking Point?

Sometimes moms live in constant stress and don’t even realize they are about to crash and burn because it’s what they know.

With that said, it’s good to get out ahead of it. The best way to do that is to create awareness.

I often say that awareness is core to just about everything. It is key to identifying the problem so you can do something about it.

But awareness goes much deeper in this case. It is important to figure out what you need.

Oftentimes when we are stressed out, we know that the stress is impacting us but not necessarily to what extent. We feel it from head to toe and it feels so big.

How Autism Moms Can Breaking Down the Barriers to Getting Out of the Deep Fog of Stress

It’s important to pay attention to what our body and mind are telling us. There are signals that we miss because we are so enmeshed in the challenges of raising our child. Stress impacts us all differently. However, there are 3 common ways we are affected.
1) Physical - Moms often report headaches, tense muscles, feeling drained due to a lack of sleep and energy.

I can always tell when I am getting super stressed when the muscles in my neck and shoulders tighten up. It literally feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.

What are your physical signs of ongoing stress?
2) Mind - Moms often report feeling frustrated and anxious. It’s common to have a shorter fuse and feel overwhelmed more quickly.
3) Spirit - What brought you joy before becoming a mom? Do you feel disconnected from those things?

Breaking Down Your Previous Experiences Prior to Motherhood

Here are some activities to explore what has been a good fit for you in the past. Consider the following:

1. When did you feel your best? What were you doing and who were you with?
2. Imagine your ideal “me time.” What was that like?
3. Consider your past self-care. What worked? What didn’t?

Tips for

Tip #1 - When you feel overwhelmed, that is a sign you need to develop a supportive community. It’s not easy to create, but I help moms with this in my Thrive VIP Program. Check out www.thrivingmomsofautistics.com

Tip#2 - Embrace your imperfections. I have always been a big perfectionist and it never ends well! This is where we get caught up in how we might not be enough or feel that we are failing. It is easy to get stuck in that thinking.

With that said, you ARE enough! You continue to grow and that is what matters. We ALL are constantly growing.

Don’t get swallowed in the dark hole of social media. That isn’t real. People struggle. They have ups and downs. Granted it is for different reasons, but it is the normal.