It's no secret that I blog anonymously. That decision is not one that I've made lightly. I've given it a great deal of thought and I believe that, for now, I will continue being anonymous here. In order to better facilitate my online interactions and remain anonymous, I've come up with a pen name that … Continue reading Anonymous Writing and A New Name
acceptance
Flashback Friday – My Lost Stuffed Dog
Photo description: white 1980s era stuffed dog peeking out of a red backpack with blue trim. I'd had my stuffed dog for as long as I could remember. He was my constant companion nearly everywhere I went. He comforted me when I was upset and slept with me every single night. He was my very … Continue reading Flashback Friday – My Lost Stuffed Dog
Deconstructing My Positive Memories
As I've been mentally sifting through my memories, particularly for my Flashback Friday posts, I've noticed something. Partially because I've been recovering from the stress of being evaluated, I've been focusing more on the positive memories I have. They're both easier to access and much more pleasant once I do access them. In examining them … Continue reading Deconstructing My Positive Memories
‘Reading’ People
It was almost exactly a month after my last journal entry when I wrote this: my third and final journal entry from four years ago. To give some context, I wrote this entry after I'd done a great deal of research into the things I hadn't known I didn't know. At this point, I was getting … Continue reading ‘Reading’ People
Disclaimers
Image description: Photo of Spock on the bridge of the Enterprise with the quote, "If I seem insensitive to what you're going through, Captain, understand: it's the way I am." ~Spock, Star Trek "The Enemy Within" As I was reminded by a good friend the other day, disclaimers can be a powerful way to address misconceptions and difficulties … Continue reading Disclaimers
I am not a Body Hair Activist
The title might seem to be a strange thing to declare, but I honestly thought I was a pro-body hair activist for a while. I just happened to be an odd body hair activist who didn't like to show off my body hair because I didn't want to stand out as being much more unusual … Continue reading I am not a Body Hair Activist
In Which I First Show Confidence and Then Not
Two nights after my last blogged journal entry from 4+ years ago, I wrote this: So, the night before last I had a bit of a breakdown. I just cried and cried and talked... I can’t remember half of what I talked about. I should’ve written it down sooner. I have a really hard time remembering … Continue reading In Which I First Show Confidence and Then Not
Briefly, Regarding Labels
There have been some excellent posts lately on the issue of labels in general and the label "Autistic" specifically. You can find my two current favorites here and here, as well as my previous post where I discuss labels. Then, this morning I was reminded by this Tumblr post (I'm not sure how to embed it here, … Continue reading Briefly, Regarding Labels
I’m Not a Failure
This is the third, and shortest, excerpt from what I wrote the evening after finishing Aspergirls. Reading that book had given me a lot to think about regarding my past. It both validated my perspective/memories and gave me a great deal of hope for my future: I guess I thought that everyone else was like me but that I … Continue reading I’m Not a Failure
Off I Go
This is the continuation of excerpts from my first journal entry after beginning to learn about autism. I wrote responses from my current self to clarify or expand on what I wrote all those years ago: Apparently it’s somehow normal to be able to tell how people are feeling without them telling you. That doesn’t … Continue reading Off I Go