I’m sorry to say that I’ve had to include a trigger warning at the start of the podcast episode out today, to warn listeners that some of the themes touched on throughout my recorded conversation with Helen Jeffries – a Senior Civil Servant in the UK Government, a prolific blogger on autism, a Trustee for the charity Ambitious about Autism, and an accomplished musician – are of a heavy nature, including a discussion on suicide.
Herself autistic, Helen’s work-life balance story is told through the lens of someone that lives and works with autism. And the sad truth of the matter is that autistic people – and neurodivergent people more broadly – face tough challenges when juggling work and other things in life in a world designed for neurotypical brains.
The impact on their mental health can be significant, and throughout our conversation, Helen draws some vital attention to this reality, which is both enlightening and sobering. It’s not easy to hear, but for those of us that live and work with neurodivergent people (which, let’s face it, is most of us), it’s an important insight. And I hope that those listening who themselves are autistic, or neurodivergent in another way, take comfort, courage and inspiration from listening to Helen’s work-life balance story.
It’s not all doom and gloom mind you. As much as this episode is about recognising the additional challenges that autistic people face in their pursuit of balance, it is also about strength, honesty, and being unapologetically yourself.
We touch on the role that societal expectations play too, as well as how a person’s faith and religion impacts their sense of work-life balance. Helen also provides a unique perspective on the work-life balance foibles of neurotypical people – listen to the end of the episode to learn from her astute and thought-provoking observations!
You can follow Helen Jeffries’ blog at: https://helenjeffries.wordpress.com
RELATED EPISODES/LINKS:
Ali’s Story – Artistic License: When ‘work’ is life, and ‘life’ is work – Dyslexia and the Trappings of Domesticity:
40: How to Find a Work-Life Balance by Working More – Work, Life, Balance Lesson #9
38: How to Find a Work-Life Balance When You’re a Perfectionist – Work, Life, Balance Lesson #8
14: On Pride, Acceptance & Finding Balance by Parenting Equally While Working Full-Time-Paul’s Story
Episode 51: On Autism, Conscientiousness, Self-Acceptance, and the Pursuit of Work-Life Balance as a Neurodivergent Person in a Neurotypical World – Helen Jeffries’ Story