RE: Weekend-Engagement: Life Without Anxiety Would Be Heaven
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Funny, this is the first time anyone has said, "Congratulations on your diagnosis." I never thought of it as something to congratulate anyone on. Over the years, I have gotten to know myself well enough to know that I have more to offer than I can show. There is always 'something' that has held me back, and 'something' that continues to hold me back.
To give a simple example. I'd love to go out again, and take photos. But suppose I was to say that tomorrow I want to go to a location 30 km from here, then it starts ... I don't have a car at my disposal, my partner takes the car to work. Okay, there is a scooter at home, but I don't know the way well and I don't have a navigation system on the scooter. Of course, I can print out a route, but I know myself ... that's not going to work. I am hopeless at navigating without a navigation system that tells me exactly where to go left and right. As a result, I'd have already developed so much stress and anxiety. Then there is the idea that I would have to leave Skipper home alone for more than a few hours, which I find so sad for him ... and that is of course the perfect excuse to calm my now half-strained nerves, and to say. "No, I can't go tomorrow. I can't leave Skipper alone for that long. I'll go on the weekend. Then I have the car." Knowing all too well that a hundred thousand other things have to be done on the weekend. And this is an example with something I love to do. Photography! Even this is such a challenge that is often impossible to overcome at the moment. Granted, that's not only the autism but also the situation. If I would have that car and navigation at my disposal, it would be less challenging. Also because I could take Skipper with me. It's not for nothing that I take fewer pictures, and more and more paint and pyrograph. Although photography still attracts me!
But yes, many things hold me back ... and I also know for sure that I am not using my full capacities. I hope for you that you can find a way to deal with it and to reach your full potential. It helps if there is someone next to you who supports and motivates you!
Same, I found it weird at first. Then I realized how much the diagnosis helped me not only know myself better but to also do self care that I need. Congratulations is not about the "yay you have autism!" but more like a "yay, you are finally validated and it's not just in your head like how others would say". I do understand that some people see it as a disability and some don't. But yeah, I think being validated is so important.
I can relate to that as well. One task all of a sudden now have so many steps that you need to do. It's the executive dysfunction I think? When you want to do things but you just can't do it which also causes the anxiety so much more. I wish it was easy to "just do it" but literally can't. I don't have any advices on that, but I understand and see how it affects you as it does to me the same way. I hope you can figure that out, seems like a really good idea plus walking is fun!
Pretty much the same with me. I know some people think their autism is a superpower since they are able to think about things other people can't do. Excellent pattern recognition, introspection, being able to point out details before others, etc.. That is not something you just learn with experience.
Really good for them for feeling this and I wish I am able to as well. But all of these come with disadvantages... which I think I need to focus more on the positives that I have because honestly I don't think I would be able to have those ideas in my art and stuff if I didn't have autism haha.
All the best to you!
Thank you girl, and of course, all the best to you too!
Autism can be a curse, but also a blessing. I'm not sure yet which one applies best at the moment ... Lol