If you were diagnosed with autism late in life, or you are beginning to wonder whether the reason socialising exhausts you has a name, this book is for you. It explains, clearly and without jargon, why social contact takes so much out of you — not because you are broken, but because your brain processes people differently. You will learn to read the early signs of social fatigue, protect your energy before you crash, and stop apologising for needing to leave, rest, or say no. Drawing on the everyday wisdom of late-diagnosed adults, it explores masking, sensory overload, and the slow burn of burnout, and offers practical ways to redesign your social life around your real capacities. This is not a book about fixing yourself; it is about finally understanding how you work. With gentle exercises, realistic scripts, and a toolkit you can actually use, it will help you feel less guilty, less confused, and far more in control of your social energy. Part of The Late Diagnosis Library.