# 15 - Why the Holidays Can Exacerbate Autistic Traits in Women

Why do the holidays -this supposedly magical, sparkling, joy-filled season - feel so overwhelming, so intense, and so deeply dysregulating? And why do autistic traits seem to get louder, sharper, and more noticeable than ever?

If you’ve ever wondered why the holidays don’t feel like the commercials…
If you dread the calendar flipping to November… and then December…
If you feel like you need a month-long sensory sabbatical once January arrives…

You’re not broken.
You’re not dramatic.
You’re not “bad at the holidays.”

You’re autistic.
And your body is giving you information.

In this validating, gentle, psychology-rich episode, we’re slowing down, breathing together, and naming the neurological, emotional, and sensory realities that make this season uniquely challenging for autistic women. You’ll hear compassionate insight and clear language for experiences you’ve always felt but may not have known how to articulate.

We’ll explore:

• Sensory overwhelm and seasonal overstimulation
• Masking pressure around extended family
• The performance of holiday cheer and social expectations
• Changes to routine, schedule, diet, and sleep
• Old trauma patterns triggered by family systems
• Internalized expectations of being the “good girl” or emotional caregiver
• Why autistic burnout hits so much harder in December
• And how to create a holiday season that supports your nervous system instead of crushing it

This episode isn’t about forcing yourself to tolerate more.
It’s about finally understanding why this season feels the way it does - and learning how to honor your needs without apology.

So take a breath.
Get cozy - maybe with soft lighting, warm blankets, a little sensory sanctuary of your own, and settle in.

By the end of this conversation, I hope something inside you exhales.
I hope you feel seen.
I hope you feel less alone.
And I hope you realize you deserve a holiday that fits you - not one you have to survive.

If this episode resonates, come join our community on Instagram @quietlyautisticatlast for more gentle insights and sensory-honoring reflections.

And if you love the psychological depth and emotional softness here, you’ll also adore my sister show, The Lemon Tree Coaching Podcast - a warm, soul-centered space for healing, boundaries, nervous system wisdom, and becoming who you were always meant to be.

✨ Listen anywhere you get your podcasts.
You deserve a season that supports your nervous system, not one that overwhelms it.