The conversation delves into the mission of Emotion Dysregulation in Autism (EDA), the concept of care without conditions, finding identity outside of illness, the realization of self-worth, and advice to professionals and caregivers. It emphasizes the importance of lived experience-led support and the ongoing decision of recovery.

Takeaways

• Emotion Dysregulation in Autism (EDA) is a mental health charity for autistic young people, entirely lived experience led.
• Recovery is a decision that must be made constantly, every day, every minute.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Emotion Dysregulation in Autism (EDA)
• 09:13 Finding Identity Outside of Illness
• 21:28 Realization of Self-Worth
• 31:46 Advice to Professionals and Caregivers

Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and eating disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted person or professional for support.

Hey everyone, it’s Hannah here — and welcome to a very special episode of No Longer Legally Detained as we step into 2025. This episode is personal, raw, and reflective. Before we dive in, I want to give a content warning: we’ll be discussing topics like suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. Please prioritize your well-being and take care of yourself — if you’re in need of support, there are resources available, see below and remember you are never alone.

In this New Year's episode, I’m sharing the reality of my journey through 2024. For years, January was my toughest month — the month I dreaded, the month that often led me to the hospital, the month that was synonymous with painful memories. But at the end of 2023, I made a commitment to myself: my goal for 2024 was simple, yet monumental — to get through the year suicide attempt-free.

I’m not here to sugarcoat it: it’s not been easy. I still faced days where the pain felt unbearable, and the urge to give up was overwhelming. But as I reflect, I’m incredibly proud to say I made it through 2024 — alive, resilient, and still fighting. The struggle didn’t disappear, but I learned that it’s possible to live around the pain, to grow despite the trauma, and to create a life that isn’t defined by my darkest moments. This episode is about survival, healing, and the importance of facing the tough stuff, one day at a time.

But I also want to shift the conversation, because 2024 was more than just about surviving. It was about becoming. About shedding the societal pressures that told me I had to be perfect, that I had to fit into a box, and learning that it’s okay to be messy. It’s okay to be imperfect. It’s okay to be human.

As we move into 2025, I’m embracing one core intention: to be authentically and unapologetically myself. This year, I’m tossing aside the “New Year, New You” narrative — because the truth is, there’s nothing wrong with who I already am. And I hope you’ll join me in rejecting the societal pressures that tell us to be something we’re not. Whether you’re recovering from trauma, fighting through mental health challenges, or just trying to find your way in a world that’s always telling you how to be — I’m here to remind you: You are enough.

In today’s episode, I talk about letting go of the need for external validation, the pressure to constantly perform, and the damaging myth that we have to be perfect — especially as activists. I get real about my struggles with self-acceptance, about the complexity of being a flawed human trying to make a difference in the world, and about the importance of showing up as we are, messy and real.

We’re diving deep into what it means to be authentically you — and how that’s the only thing that truly matters. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t fit into society’s expectations. It’s for anyone who’s tired of pretending. It’s for anyone who’s fighting their own battles, and for anyone who needs to hear that it’s okay to be human.

Let’s make 2025 the year of unapologetic authenticity. Together, we can break free from the narratives that hold us back and step into a future where we’re just… ourselves.