Masking in social settings and sensory load

Some workdays leave you tired. Others leave you completely wiped, even when you have done everything right. In this episode, I explore why that happens and what it reveals about how work is really experienced. 

I sat down with Cherie Clonan, founder and CEO of The Digital Picnic, to talk about neurodivergence, energy, and what happens when workplaces are not designed for the people in them. 

Cherie was diagnosed with Autism as an adult and has spent more than a decade building a business while quietly masking in environments that drained her nervous system. We talk about what masking actually looks like at work, why some workplaces feel exhausting even when you love your job, and how leaders can create cultures that raise energy instead of depleting it. 

We also go deep into Cherie's hardest year in business, the moment she was forced into action, and the non-negotiables she rebuilt from scratch to protect her energy, her team, and her company.  

Cherie and I discuss: 

• What masking really looks like for autistic women at work and why it is so exhausting 

• How sensory overload, constant social decoding, and back-to-back meetings drain energy 

• Spoon theory as a practical way to understand energy, capacity, and recovery 

• Why businesses do not fail when they run out of cash but when founders run out of energy 

• The cultural non-negotiables Cherie introduced to rebuild trust, respect, and momentum 

• How removing unnecessary demands can benefit every neurotype at work 

Key quotes 

“Businesses do not go out of business when they run out of cash. They fail when the founder runs out of energy.” 

“Energy loss is data. It is telling you something important about what you are tolerating.” 

Connect with Cherie Clonan on Instagram and LinkedIn and check out The Digital Picnic.  

My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ 

Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) 

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) 

If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe 

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. 

Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au 

Credits: 
Host: Amantha Imber 
Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler 

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