Day in the Life of an Autistic Entrepreneur Part 2: Afternoon Systems

Ever wondered what a day in the life of an autistic entrepreneur looks like? In Part 1 of this series, I shared how I protect my mornings for deep creative work before transitioning into connection mode. Now, let's talk about how I navigate the most social part of my day: the afternoon. As an autistic business owner, I've had to create specific systems to manage energy, communication, and task-switching.

Communication and Admin: Building Momentum After Deep Work

From 12pm-1pm, I focus on what I call my "connection tasks" – answering emails, handling admin work, or preparing for upcoming projects. For example, if I'm getting next week's episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast ready, I'll write the show notes, upload audio and video files to my podcast hosting platform and YouTube, and optimize the blog version for my website. Having these tasks follow my morning writing session creates a natural flow from creation to distribution.

I intentionally schedule my client calls and podcast recordings for the afternoon. This isn't just a preference – it's a strategic decision to protect my morning creative energy for writing, as I mentioned in Part 1. Plus, I've found that my afternoon brain is better suited for dynamic conversations and active listening.

Fueling an Autistic Entrepreneur's Afternoon

Around 1:30pm, it's lunch time – and yes, I have to actively remind myself to eat! Like many autistic people, I can easily get caught in hyperfocus and forget about basic needs like eating. You can find ten of my favorite neurodivergent lunch ideas in this post, all designed to be EASY and QUICK because decision fatigue is real! And if you want even more autism-friendly lunch ideas, grab your copy of my cookbook Nourishing Neurodiversity :)

The purpose of my lunch break is twofold: it’s a time to fuel my body, but also offers a crucial pause in my workday. I can only show up with energy, clarity, and focus for my clients when I'm well nourished. This is something many autistic entrepreneurs struggle with: we can be so passionate about our work that we forget to give our bodies what they need! But I've learned that my business can’t be healthy if I’m not healthy.

Movement and Sensory Management in My Neurodivergent Business

Between 2 and 3pm, depending on my client call schedule, I either head to the gym or continue with writing and research. Here's where being an autistic business owner becomes an advantage – we're masters at finding patterns and optimal times for activities!

I've discovered that gyms are least busy between 2-4pm, which is crucial for managing sensory overwhelm. Pro tip: if you have the schedule flexibility, use Google's Popular Times feature to plan visits to high-sensory places like grocery stores, gyms, and libraries. This small hack has been a game-changer for my sensory processing!

The gym is just a 10-minute walk from my home, and I spend about an hour there listening to music. Movement is vital for my regulation and helps me release fight-or-flight energy. If the gym isn't your thing, there are countless ways to move your body that align with your unique sensory needs – from home workouts to nature walks to dance sessions in your living room.

Grocery Shopping as an Autistic Person: Keep It Simple!

If I need groceries, I'll grab them on my way home from the gym. I always buy the same items – not because of food restrictions like when I had an eating disorder, but to protect myself from analysis paralysis. This predictability helps me preserve energy for what truly matters: writing, coaching, and contributing to my community.

I've learned to honor my sensory preferences by stretching at home rather than at the gym, because being perceived while stretching adds unnecessary social anxiety to my workout! A quick shower follows, and then it's time for my post-workout nutrition.

After The Gym, I’m Always Super Hungry

Post-gym nutrition is non-negotiable. My current favorite refuel combo is toast with Nutella or peanut butter, paired with a yogurt bowl loaded with granola and fruit, plus a protein mug cake. Just as with my morning oatmeal, I add a scoop of Nuzest Clean Lean Protein to my mug cake. Nuzest vegan protein powder supports healthy digestion, has a super smooth texture (no one likes gritty tasting grass!) and is super easy to bake with. Although this “snack” may seem more like a meal, it keeps me energized until dinner and supports my body's caloric needs.

Gluten-free and high protein vegan chocolate mug cake from the Nourishing Neurodiversity cookbook. A healthy autism snack that's filling and supports healthy digestion!

With my body nourished and refreshed, it's usually time for a client call or podcast interview. This post-gym reset helps me show up with renewed energy for these connections.

Managing the Afternoon Client Flow

When my calendar fills with client calls and podcast interviews in the late afternoon, I maintain strict boundaries to protect my energy. The most important rule? I never schedule more than two calls per day. I used to feel guilty about this limitation, wondering if I should push myself to handle more like other business coaches. But the reality is that more than two calls becomes too draining, especially on top of all the writing, podcasting, and blogging that I do.

As I write in my book Rainbow Girl: "I always believed that a life of freedom was the equivalent of living without limits. When I discovered I am autistic, I learned that freedom means knowing my limits and respecting them without judgment." Protecting my boundaries allows me to be fully present for each client or podcast guest. One system that's been particularly helpful in my autism coaching business is having set days for specific clients, as well as set podcast recording days. This creates predictability for both my clients and I, eliminating the need to find new meeting times each week. It's a simple change that has made a huge difference in managing my schedule while providing consistent, quality support to my clients.

Creating Sustainable Success as an Autistic Entrepreneur

By now you've seen how I structure my morning and afternoons to balance energy, creativity, and connection. From writing and admin tasks to movement and client work, each element of my schedule is intentionally designed to work with my autistic brain rather than against it. Instead of following conventional business advice about maximizing client calls or pushing through fatigue, I've created systems that honor my needs while allowing me to make a meaningful impact through my words.

Curious about how I wind down and set myself up for the next day's success? Continue reading Part 3 here to learn about my evening routine and the strategies I use to manage energy, prevent burnout, and create sustainable success as an autistic entrepreneur.