Last week I recorded the most AMAZING podcast episode with my past client turned dear friend & now Liv Label Free colleague Julia!!

Listen now 👉 Grieving a Late Autism Diagnosis

Like many of my clients, Julia and I have a soul connection that transcends words. We just “get” each other. Which is why I continue to be amazed at all the incredible content Julia is creating over on my Instagram! (Check it out @livlabelfree)

When she posted a reels video about grieving her autism discovery, I knew we HAD to deepen the conversation. So not only did we record a podcast on the topic, but Julia wrote a heartfelt piece which you can read below.

Grieving Your Autism Discovery (by Julia)

I’m going to talk about something that I find difficult to admit. Because it feels like I should be happier and doing better now that I know I’m autistic.

And don’t get me wrong – I’m infinitely grateful that I found out. It has allowed me to finally accommodate my needs and build a life that actually fits me. But the reality is that I’ve also struggled with it a lot.

Before I knew I was autistic, I was aware that something felt different, but I didn’t know what it was. So I pushed through. I would panic when things didn’t go according to plan. I struggled with social situations. I carried an overwhelming sense of not quite fitting into the world around me.

But because I didn’t know I was autistic, I assumed everyone felt this way and that I just had to keep going. Now I understand where these feelings and struggles come from. And somehow, that makes them harder to ignore.

When my routine changes unexpectedly, I can’t just brush it off. When a sound sends my nervous system into fight-or-flight mode, I can’t stop that reaction. When I’m overstimulated, I can’t force myself to push through the way I used to.

I often find that hard to accept, because I’ve always seen myself as someone who never gives up. My perseverance was something I was proud of, and at times it feels like discovering I’m autistic has taken that away from me.

On top of that, understanding that I’m autistic has made me hyperaware of why I experience the world the way I do. And sometimes that awareness seems to amplify the pain that comes with navigating life this way.

But none of this means I wish I had never found out. It simply means that sometimes I grieve the version of my life before I knew I’m autistic – and that’s okay.

So if you’ve been experiencing similar feelings after discovering you’re autistic, I want you to know that you’re not alone. And if you'd like to hear more about my experience – as well as Livia’s – you can listen to the latest episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast!

In the episode, I open up about my experience with discovering I’m autistic and the unexpected grief that followed. Liv and I also talk about loneliness in neurodivergent discovery and the importance of feeling truly understood, spirituality, soul-level connection, creating an aligned life by trusting yourself, and SO MUCH MORE!

Whether you're autistic, ADHD, a caregiver, or have just always felt different, this episode offers an honest conversation about grief, connection, self-discovery, and learning to embrace who you truly are. I can’t wait for you to listen and let me know what you thought! 

Click here to listen the the episode on Grieving Your Autism Discovery →

Happy listening,

Liv & Julia 💖

P.S. Livia is training me to become a Liv Label Free coach, so if you’re interested in doing coaching sessions with both of us, contact me and share what you hope to gain from coaching. If we believe you’re a good fit, Livia will reach out with program options and payment info.