To fellow neurodivergent people: Well done. We made it through another Christmas. I’m proud of us.

Autistic burnout, at this time of year. Changes in routine. Increased social activity and masking. Expectations on how you’ll spend your time, your money and your energy. Sensory overload, different lights, textures, smells and sounds. It’s ok not to be ok, even when it’s “the season to be jolly”.

I knew this day would come. I'm leaving Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park next year as my board tenure is up. That means, there are board positions up for grabs. In fact, there are 5 as all The Scottish Government appointed members are leaving. bit.ly/3JYmotR

Zrobiliśmy piernik staropolski (we made traditional Polish gingerbread). Dating a Polish man brings me a lot of joy. Bonus points for the baked goods and hearty cooking.

Today in ADHD: Turns out my work phone does indeed erase itself when you enter the password wrong too many times. I thought it was bluffing.

Trying to find a new ceiling light fitting that doesn’t show a bare bulb at most angles, yet is in the style or colour I want, is turning out to be very hard. Can you just let me be autistic in peace?

Sundays are for shaving your head whilst listening to The Deep Blue Okay by @selfesteem.music-social.com at full volume.

Usually when I run a workshop participants steal my sharpies. It’s always the sharpies. Not today though. They stole my scissors!

After losing weight I told myself I’d cut down on the jumper of jackets, fleeces and hoodies I own. I know have at least double the amount. WHY?!

As a seller, eBay’s “Simple Delivery,” which you must now use for most items, is the least “simple” thing I’ve ever used. May I suggest it is renamed to “eBay Stressful Delivery” or “eBay Delivery Experience That Replaced a Perfectly Functional Delivery Experience That Wasn’t Broken Delivery”

I've seen a handful of Service Design roles at Admiral recently... I'm with them for my car insurance - renewal price was nuts. The process of turning off auto renewal took about 15 clicks and I had to answer a bunch of questions. Please don't make it this hard to turn off auto renew. ARGH.

Selling a lot of my old clothes on Vinted due to weight loss but also realising lots of them are missing their label, because sensory issues. Also remembering how many times I’ve yanked a label off in anger when the feeling has driven me nuts and I’ve then had to sew up the seem on the side…

Does anyone else hate passwordless sign in using email? Passkeys are fine but whenever I have to use sign in via magic link through email my heart sinks

My referral letter came through from my local NHS board the other day. A physical letter, of course. Phoned the central booking team. Made an appointment. Person on the phone said “no problem, I’ll send an appointment letter in the post.” It got me thinking…

Submitted my Self Assessment Tax Return well before the January deadline. This is the first time I’ve managed to do it MONTHS before. Thanks Elvanse.

If you have been chasing some kind of neurodiversity diagnosis on the Scottish NHS for years, you might be interested in filling in this government investigation into why waiting times are so long. www.parliament.scot/about/news/n...

Weeknote 2 live: designwithcal.com/weeknotes/2 Volvos, midsommar and reflection

Inspired by so many folk who are writing weeknotes, I've joined in! I used to write them in my last job but never shared them publicly. I wanted to get back to informally reflecting on things, found it really useful for myself. This time: they are public. designwithcal.com/weeknotes/1

@octopus.energy Hello! Octopus customer here. Have you guys thought about integrating with Samsung to take advantage of their AI Energy features? Imagining something akin to Octopus Intelligent Go but for home appliances? I think that would be quite cool ;) happy to help work with you as well…

My two modes when I have an appointment are either far too early or late and manically stressed. Why can’t I be in between the two? Why?!

Finished at HMRC on Tuesday as my contract came to an end. 2 years has absolutely flown by! Feels like a long time but also such a short time. So much has happened, both personally and professionally. So grateful to work with such smashing folk. Last Jira ticket moved to review. Over and out.

Wrote a post about a very niche subject but one which I hope people will consider when designing services: stamanfar.medium.com/can-someone-...

Hate how companies are integrating “AI” in to many products or services. It’s usually just some form of machine learning branded as “AI.” It’s so pointless most of the time—think chatbots that can’t actually help you, AI in Squarespace, Mural, etc. Complete marketing gimmick with little value.

Big pet peeve of mine is when you are on the phone to a service provider and the pre-recorded message whilst you wait says “did you know you can do most things using our online service, visit us at blah-dot-com.” There’s a reason why I’m on the phone to you. Don’t rub salt in to the wound!

Booked a trip to Sweden in around a month, very excited, however, I have now entered the manic travel preparation phase. Two questions floating around in my head: 1. Will Ryanair be a pain in the arse about me bringing my CPAP machine. 2. Can I bring my (prescribed) amphetamines with me.

Just a forewarning for those who are thinking of buying a water flosser: Be careful. My bathroom walls, mirror, floor and most of my upper body have been soaked multiple times. I think I’ll use it in the shower going forward 😂

Hi everyone 👋 - I am approaching the end of my current contract and looking for a new role and would appreciate your support. www.linkedin.com/posts/whitin...

I’ve lost quite a bit of weight in the last 6 months or so. I’m now at that stage where my clothes don’t actually fit me and some jackets look silly. I liked my jackets. Is it weird I want to purchase the same ones but a size down? I really hate change sometimes 😅

My cat's water fountain broke and I am searching for a new one. Now, I love my smart home gadgets but a WiFi connected cat fountain seems a bit too much, even for me.

Took out a new mortgage recently and registered to manage it online. Was expecting to see something with key info, ability to make an extra payment, request things, etc. No! Were my expectations too much? Monzo’s mortgage functionality is better and they’re not even the lender?!

Do I know any first-language Welsh speakers who'd be happy to be interviewed in-person (Bristol/SE Wales area) in mid-May for a Linguistic student's dissertation on the sound system of contemporary Welsh...? I can provide more detail if you DM me :-)

Post bank holiday 4-day week has me feeling like I’ve been ran over by a steamroller. Three times. Then scooped back up, put back together and ran over again for good measure. Anyone else?

Hello! I’m on the lookout for good examples of Government letters/forms/correspondence. Can you help?

Sometimes I still doubt I’ve got ADHD and then I find 4 open boxes of Earl Grey tea bags and realise I definitely do 😬

Day 25 of Polish on Duolingo and I’m f*$#ing confused as f%$+.

Saw this 'Red Cord Card' from @euansguide.com today. It's a shame that folk need reminding sometimes so thought this was a fab idea. First time I've seen such a thing. I've seen cords tied up or wrapped over things which can make them inaccessible to those who may need to use them at a time of need.

Why is it I genuinely hate loud noises but when I’m seeing an artist I adore I will stand right under the line arrays* and want that 130db of sound right inside me. Line arrays are the hangs of speakers typically seen at concerts. Yes, I know far too much about these sorts of things 😬

Great write up of our recent trip to BC, to talk connected Government service work. Thanks Marlieke Kieboom for the writing and wise summary and exchange lab for publishing and hosting. Big up @gordonr.ca for helping make this happen digital.gov.bc.ca/2025/04/17/s...

Bank hol Friday and I’m still in bed. Feeling the fatigue today. Is this my body telling me I’ve been going too hard recently? I’m inherently bad at understanding and meeting my own needs and often only realise once it’s too late. Does it ever get easier?

Doing manuals for me at work to help build stronger inter-team relationships and mine is the biggest and most detailed. Naturally… 😬

I’m running the Lee Valley Velopark Half Marathon on 26th April for ADHD UK. And for my dad. It’s his birthday three days after the race. He would’ve been 74. He died cut off, forgotten and alone at 54. Like too many others. ADHD isn’t well understood. I want to change that. Help me.

How’s your Wednesday? I’m listening to Self Esteem whilst having a realisation I’m burnt—or burning—out. Do you have any active recovery tips? I cannot stay still for long but I know I need that to really help

Last week was autism awareness day. I planned on publishing this article then, but I'm still recovering from a burnout. I finished it today and hit the publish button. If you're interested, it's a deeply personal reflection on the year following my diagnosis.

Yes, I had some feedback for the Klinik online "appointment booking" system. Why aren't isn't the UX for GP sites, and appointment booking systems standardised nationally, and why don't they all follow NHS/GOV.UK #design systems?

I’ve been learning Polish. I really want to be able to speak to my partner in his mother tongue. Yes, it’s early days, but seeing his reaction when I could string a sentence or two together made it 100% worth it.

What a week it’s been.

I cannot stand April fool’s day. On a good day, I can barely distinguish between people joking or being serious. I always end up overanalysing everything and feeling super anxious because of this reason on the 1st of April.

Dearest Bluesky. Does anyone know of any paper-based Government forms or letters that are well designed and clear? I’m looking to gather some inspiration to make a case for testing some ideas. If you know of any, I’d appreciate it if you could send examples my way! Thank you

#SDinGov Early Bird tickets are available now. Save 15% if you are employed by or contracted as a freelancer to a public organisation (Including Government, Health, Emergency Services, Defence). govservicedesign.net

You asked us for courses on different timezones so we delivered! We have international courses coming up in Mountain Standard Time. This time on mountain standard time so if you’re in the U.S, Canada, South America it might suit you! good.services/internationa...