Embracing flexible work routines

Right, so here it is – my first blog! Eeeekkk! As someone with dyslexia, I’m not going to lie, I am panicking. So, apologies in advance for any spelling and grammar errors. I promise I have proofread this several times, but there may be a few errors that have escaped my attention.

Right, back on topic. I can’t do with getting distracted this early on in the blog, especially not my first blog, as the idea was to make a short blog – emphasis on the short.

First things first, a quick introduction. Hey, my name is Bethan, and I am a neurodiverse, neurodiversity coach who specialises in autism. Phew — now that introductions are out of the way (you can find more information on my website should you so wish).

Today, I want to talk about working and what being productive might look like. I’ll start by admitting I have never worked an office job, but I have worked in schools, further education, and employment, and visited many different work environments. I’m not going to talk about social workplace standards or sensory implications — otherwise this wouldn’t be a short blog post! Instead, I want to talk about how we work, and how society judges productivity, especially for neurodivergent people who often thrive with flexible work routines.

Society has made us believe that we should be working between certain hours and that while at work, we need to be productive. Well, that might work for some people, but it doesn’t for many — and it certainly doesn’t for me.

An example: I am currently sat here at 6am, working — and have been for the last hour or so. Why, you might ask? Massive deadline? Overworked? The answer is no. (Though I do struggle with sleep, I promise you no alarm was set in the writing of this.) I’m working because the ideas are flowing, the excitement and energy are there, and so I’m riding my productivity wave while it’s here. This is something I’m now privileged to be able to do, but last year when I started my self‑employment journey, I still fought against this notion.

I would argue with myself simply because it wasn’t happening within “work hours.” I’d say unhelpful things like, “You’re going to be knackered,” “You’ll regret this by 5pm,” “Just go back to sleep,” or “If you’re awake, do something else.” The fact is, I probably won’t be working until 5pm (unless this wave continues, which secretly I hope it will — imagine the amount of shizzle I could get done). I’m working because the energy is right. My brain is braining, and I’m not fighting against it. This is energy‑based working, something many neurodivergent people naturally gravitate toward.

If I tried to go back to sleep and wait for my alarm, I wouldn’t sleep. I’d get increasingly annoyed that I can’t sleep while my brain ping‑pongs ideas around. Then I’d struggle to get out of bed, struggle to get ready, and end up sitting in front of the computer frozen — trying to will the ideas back. That usually results in frustration, achieving nothing but compulsory tasks (like meetings), and doomscrolling on my phone. A classic executive function spiral.

Let me tell you, my workdays look very different now. I still need some structure, so I create working days and times — but they’re flexible. I don’t feel bad if it doesn’t happen (well… sometimes I still do — it’s a journey).

I try to work in a way that suits me. You’ll often find me in different rooms in the house with my laptop and something playing on my iPad on repeat. I’m rarely at a desk. I prefer working from the floor, a comfy chair with a blanket burritoed around me, my bed, standing at the window so I can people‑watch, or pacing while dictating (as I am now) with a fidget object in my hand. I know I think best when I’m moving — full‑body movement equals better thinking, right?

I’m no longer afraid to work when that productivity wave hits, provided it’s suitable and safe to do so. I walk away when I can’t achieve anything — refocusing my attention, going for a walk, taking a nap, reading a book, or even allowing myself a good cry. I forgive myself a lot more on the days when I can’t achieve the things on that never‑ending to‑do list my brain creates.

Basically, if you’re reading this, I’m not here to tell you how you should or shouldn’t work. I also appreciate that if you work in fields like hospitality, the structure has to be different.

But what I am saying is that we’ve been led to believe that working happens between a set of hours and looks a certain way — and that isn’t the case for many of us. It certainly isn’t for me. If you were looking through my window right now, many people wouldn’t see me as “working hard,” but that just isn’t the case (check in with me in a few days and then it might be the case).

We have learning to do. We need to move away from this fixed notion that working or being productive has to look a certain way. Flexible work routines aren’t lazy or chaotic — they’re often the most effective way for neurodivergent people to thrive.

So my question to you — how do you work best?