You can listen to my Welcome Message below:

Preface:

This is the page that I didn't want to write... and kept putting off week after week after week for months.

I didn't ever want to write about this terribly exposing part of my story so badly, yet I find that the words come to me easier than anything else that I have ever penned. Perhaps I needed to write this for someone other than myself, then. And if that person happens to be you, here it is:

Hi friend, I’m Cheniece, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Motherhood changes you. Autism motherhood transforms you.

For years, I’ve poured myself into learning, advocating, and adapting for my two incredible toddlers on the spectrum. But in the process, I found myself searching for something more—more connection, more space to breathe, more honesty about what this life really looks like beyond the highlight reels.

I know I’m not alone in this.

I'm Cheniece Patrick—solopreneur service provider, hobbyist podcaster, Tarot-certified attuned Reiki Master, wife, and proud Mother to three cats and my two amazingly pretty toddlers on the autism spectrum. At my core, I’m a feeler, a storyteller, a deep thinker, and a mom just trying to figure out what it means to embrace this uncommon path with joy, grace, and a sense of identity that extends beyond just "Mom." And this space? It can be about helping you do the same.

What is UnCommon Design?

UnCommon Design is my honest personal blog and micro membership community for moms who are reclaiming their innate ability to decide how they show up in this life while embracing the beauty (and challenges) of neurodivergent parenting.

This is a space where we can be real about the big things:

🩶 Learning to trust your instincts when the parenting books don’t apply
🩶 Navigating the emotional ups and downs of diagnosis, therapy, and advocacy
🩶 Holding space for yourself—beyond just being the rock for your family

And the smaller, but just as meaningful things:

🩶 The sensory-friendly toys and tools that actually help
🩶 The little moments of magic in our day-to-day routines
🩶 The self-care rituals that don’t require hours of alone time (because, let’s be real…)

What to Expect as a Subscriber

I write from the heart, and I write for both of us.

As a subscriber, you’ll receive my weekly-ish essays filled with raw reflections, gentle encouragement, and the kind of honest conversations that remind you you’re not alone.

You’ll also access:

✅ Spiritual Reflections – Conscious insights from things like mindfulness, energy awareness, and self-care reminders

✅ Community Engagement – Ability to comment, share experiences, and engage in discussions and chats with peer support built right in

✅ Occasional Sneak Peeks – Excerpts or previews of Premium content to give you a taste

✅ Curated Resources – Occasional book & resource recommendations

(For those who want to go deeper, The UnCommon Inner Circle offers a more intimate experience with exclusive audio diaries, live chat sessions, and extra community peer support—because motherhood wasn’t meant to be navigated in isolation.)

Whether you’re here for the free stories or ready to dive into the deeper conversations, I’m so grateful you’re here. UnCommon Design is more than a newsletter—it’s a reminder that your story, your needs, and your identity still matter.

— Cheniece ♡

The Philosophy

You shouldn’t have to choose between being a good mother and being a whole woman. You can create a life that honors your own sacred humanity. Here, I get to walk beside you as you create a life that truly feels like your own, one gentle and powerful step at a time.

Through the ecosystem of support here:

• You will transition from depletion to deep nourishment.

• You will move from feeling lost in the role of "autism mom" to being rooted in your identity.

• You will shift from guilt-ridden self-abandonment to grounded self-advocacy.

• You will transform from burned out to lit up, as moments of genuine joy, rest, and ease become woven into the fabric of your daily life.

Reader Appreciation

UnCommon Design

🪄 Radically alchemizing motherhood reshaped by autism into romanticizing a life I love. Weekly submissions full of authentic self-discovery & personal growth 🌱 along a grounded venture of life design beyond caregiving.

By Cheniece Patrick

The Inner Circle Membership

Join my private UnCommon Inner Circle. A paid membership provides:

✔️ Deep Soul-Work Essays - Go beyond the surface with regular intimate reflections from me on finding meaning in a life reshaped by special needs parenting. In-depth writings that go beyond my public posts—covering identity shifts, mental health, resilience, and finding joy in unexpected places.

✔️ Audio Diaries - Private podcast-style episodes where I share the unfiltered highs, lows, and revelations of autism motherhood. Think: raw, honest, and deeply personal. Listen to my unfiltered audio diaries capturing the 2AM doubts, the guilt-ridden confessions, and the unexpected breakthroughs worth celebrating.

✔️ Self-Care & Mindfulness for Moms – Simple but powerful practices designed for our reality—quick grounding techniques, energy resets, and nervous system support.

✔️ Direct Support Line - Feel free to ask me anything about Motherhood, burnout, identity, and self-care, and I’ll answer in an exclusive post or audio reply.

✔️ Paid Members Chat – Engage in a private community space for deeper conversations.

✔️ Gentle Reconnection Exercises - Guided journaling exercises and small, doable challenges to help you rediscover yourself outside of being "Mom."

✔️ Guest Conversations & Expert Chats – Thoughtful, heart-centered discussions with other special needs moms, therapists, and advocates. Because we shouldn’t have to figure this out alone.

✔️ Bonus Healing Tools & Mini-Guides - Workbooks, guided rituals, self-care guides, and occasional deep-dive workshops to support your personal growth—created specifically for Mothers who feel they're running on empty.

✔️ Your People - A space for real talk, deep support, and genuine friendships with fellow autism moms who get it—without judgment, just realness and encouragement. No toxic positivity, just real connection.

✔️ Early Access & Discounts – Receive first dibs on any new projects, merch, or special offers I may create.

Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox.

(For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.) Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.

(To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.)