158 [S11 E13] Listening to myself at last: autistic midlife, grief and new beginnings

Lucy Hogg was formally recognised as autistic in 2018. She describes her life as 'messy', impacted by PTSD from an accident and years of trying to convince therapists that she is autistic, as well as lifelong struggles with not feeling heard or seen, and difficulty making herself understood at work  Now 55, Lucy lives in Norwich, where she works part time in the charity sector as a Director of Partnerships and Influencing, after a varied career as an au pair, research associate, gender equality campaigner, and nonprofit director. She has a degree in Business Studies, a Masters in Philosophy and a PhD in workplace culture change. Her specialist interest is participation and change, and a lot of her work is about advocating for smaller charities, volunteers and communities with decision makers. But she says that she pays financially and in energy terms for the privilege of doing an interesting job. In this conversation, Lucy shares her journey to recognising she is autistic after years of being unwell, unseen, and disbelieved. She talks about growing up as an identical twin, challenges getting through student life, and how hindsight has reshaped her understanding of those years. Lucy also reflects on working in the charity sector, the toll of work and burnout, and the midlife crossroads of trying to build a future that honours her instincts, creativity, and need for rest. Squarepeg is a podcast in which I talk to other late identified autistic women and nonbinary people about their lives, their autism journeys, and what they've learned along the way. I'm Amy Richards, and I was diagnosed autistic in 2016, when I was 37. I've been sharing my conversations with other autistic adults since 2020. I hope you'll find these conversations inspiring and thought provoking, and that they'll help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.   ➡️LISTEN AD-FREE WHEN YOU BECOME A PATREON SUPPORTER https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast    EPISODE LINKS: Lucy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hogg-641ba817/  Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyjchogg    If you'd like to connect with me, get in touch or follow Squarepeg, you can find me on: Website: https://squarepeg.community/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS!   A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast:   Abi Hunter, Alex, Alex Lee, Alice Kemp, A-M, Amy Adler, Anne Corwin, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Annie, Anya Nebl, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Barbara, Basia, Becca Lee, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Bobbi Sue, Brigitta Langeveld-Nijssen, Brydie, Caprice, Carly, Caroline, Cat, Cat Preston, C M, Claire Gerard, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, Dana, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deidre, Dennis McNulty, Eleanor Goulding, Em, Emma Franks, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Mazow, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Frederike, Galina, George Cole, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Helen Anne Hooker, Helen Delaney, Holly Knight-Smith, India, Ingrid, Jackie Allen, Jane, Janice, Jess Dwyer, Julie, Julie Goldberg, Karen, Karin Parker, KatF, Kate, Kathryn, Katharine Richards, Katherine Meizel, Katie, Ken K, Laura, Laura, Laurin Aman, Lilli Simmons, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, Liz P, Lula Cork, Maggie Dodd, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Meg c, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Mindy Wigzell, Monica Toohey, N, NC, Nicola Neil, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Rebecca Miller, Sadie Slater, Samantha, Sandra Carey, Sandra Chapman, Sandra Rensman, Sandy Klarsten, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah LW, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Whitehead, Shelia Smith, Siobhan, Sophie King, Talia's Nature,Tris, Val Rose, Vicki Temple, Victoria Jeffrey and Zans McLachlan.   If you're enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast