How I Work Some workplaces drain you. Autistic CEO Cherie Clonan explains what's really happening.
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Feb 4, 2026 Cherie Clonan, founder and CEO of The Digital Picnic and an autistic woman diagnosed in adulthood, discusses neurodivergence, masking, and energy at work. She explains sensory overload, spoon theory, and why some workplaces drain people. Cherie shares how she rebuilt culture with non-negotiables, changed rhythms to protect energy, and removed unnecessary demands to raise capacity for everyone.
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Diagnosis Came After Her Son
- Cherie discovered her autism after her son was diagnosed and sought a specialist for autistic women who mask heavily.
- She realised her childhood normalized quirks because she grew up with an autistic father, which delayed her recognition.
Directness Shapes Social Fit
- Cherie notes she moves through the world differently and accepts she won't be for everyone socially.
- She values directness and deep friendships but often gets 'unfriended' when she misses social gray cues.
Masking Leaves Her Exhausted
- Cherie describes exhausting masking in pre-COVID workplaces and reaching Friday 'catatonic' from effort.
- She recounts leaving a wedding to sit in her car multiple times to recover from sensory overload and lip-reading strain.