I have ADHD but not autism and I do this. It's basically normal ADHD executive dysfunction I think, for me at least

hmmm, I don't know. I relate with the OP a lot, yet I love what I do with my days... it's just that there is a kind of exhaustion that is social in nature, and I feel I need my airlock time (as my wife says) after any social event to be at peace, even when I feel tired af.

Anecdotally, I'm fortunate enough to have my average day jam packed with meaning and XP, and I still like to decompress.

No. Nobody gets overwhelmed by a lack of meaning.

Yea, a lot of posts in this community are like this. They may be more prevelant (or challenging) in the autistic community, but are often just "the annoyances of life".

Note: I do think in your rationale is missing "lack of time" as a factor, though. Often applying oneself to purpose is not the individual's fault, they just don't have the time to be fulfilled.

Sleep avoidance is real.

It's like some people forget they are also just people and all people do things. Not everything they do is related to autism.

You can be tired of something and have it mean that, but just being tired means sleepy.

Just call up any random psychiatrist and tell them your reason for the appointment is medication recommendations.

In and out in 1 hour and they'll prescribe a whole boatload of crap if you're really messed up or just some Adderall for ADHD.

5:30-6am, wake up and become competent.

6-8am - get the kids moving, make multiple breakfasts because they all want something different (including SO), get family prepared to travel, etc.

8am - start work.

3-4pm - collect some kids from school, sit in line feeling like you're the worst because you're not #1 in line for pickup, but you don't think being there an hour early is reasonable.

5pm - end "work day", begin "evening" and figure out what's for dinner (we planned this weekly, so it's not too hard) then make it.

7pm - bedtime ritual starts. deal with ensuing tantrums because "I don't want to brush my teeth" or "I'm in the middle of this activity" or "why do I have to read?!".

8:30-9pm - kids are in bed. finally.

9:30-5:30 - MY FUCKING TIME. 8 hours where the rest of the family is asleep and I get to manage myself... poorly. I need 5h, so bedtime before 12:30 is acceptable. Ignoring rounding errors, 10pm-12pm is for me. ignore it at your peril.

i've been drinking 25 cups of coffee a day lately. in my defense, it's half caff

Well, fuck.

Well, it certainly describes my AuDHD ass perfectly.

There's not really settled science here. I can relate to that a bit but I'm not diagnosed as neurodivergent or anything. Also I sort of grew out of this as I got older. I dont have trouble sleeping almost at all anymore but it used to be a big struggle.

@jornkard@sh.itjust.works - dude, why would you downvote my comment....?