From Burnout to Balance | My Journey as an Autistic Teen Creator

Nat Bannerman
Oct 5
1 min read

Life in a world not built for me 🌍

Being autistic in a world that wasn’t built for how my brain works can be tough. Simple tasks lead to burnout, zoning out happens at the worst times, and overstimulation is almost a daily experience. Sometimes, all of that can happen within just one regular school day.

When the business started, those feelings grew even stronger.

Juggling school and business 📚💻

Balancing unpredictable school days with running a business, all without a consistent schedule, created even more burnout and overstimulation. My anxiety spiked, always wondering if I could finish one thing before the next started. Self-doubt crept in, thinking that maybe I should stop the business altogether because it didn’t feel worth it.

Finding my rhythm ⏰

Once I built a schedule, things started to shift. I noticed I had been doing more procrastination than production, not because I didn’t care, but because my brain made everything feel harder than it really was. Getting used to a routine took time, but with it came focus, calm, and a lot more happiness.

Rest and recovery 🌱

Now that it’s the school holidays, I’m giving myself time to rest, something I’ve learned is just as important as working hard. My days follow a flexible routine: creative work during the week, chores on the weekend, and calm breaks in between. It’s a rhythm that finally feels right for me.