Sometimes I'll be going along, doing fairly well, and then I'll mess up again. In a big way. Patterns in my life often emerge from new situations and experiences because they aren't really new. These are things that have been happening my entire life, but that I never had the ability to describe or explain … Continue reading Messing Up Such a Simple Thing
self-care
Dentist Follow-Up
I have been to the dentist around 5 times since I sent them my disclosure letter because my teeth were in very bad shape. An excellent autistic-written dentist post I came across earlier today reminded me that it's probably time for a follow-up to write about what's happened since I sent that letter. The people at the dentist's … Continue reading Dentist Follow-Up
Politics, Discouragement, and Energy
I'm writing this post primarily for myself so please don't read it if you're feeling horribly overwhelmed by politics right now too. Maybe it'll help others to know that they aren't the only ones feeling this way though, so I'm putting it out here! I'm getting ever more discouraged with the state of political discourse … Continue reading Politics, Discouragement, and Energy
My Autistic Friends
Happy discount chocolate day! These are my thoughts about my lovely autistic friends and how much I value their friendships. In some ways it's a love letter, but more than that it's full of gratitude and other deep feelings that I cannot quite label with emotion names right now. Maybe someday 🙂 Spending time with other … Continue reading My Autistic Friends
Autistic Disclosure
Telling people I'm autistic is something that I've definitely gotten better at doing since last August when I received my official diagnosis. I've been extremely open about being autistic in my local writing community and haven't hesitated to tell people who know me well in real life aside from a few family members whom I … Continue reading Autistic Disclosure
Volunteering
Over the years I've tried to pay attention to my ability to do various things. However, I don't always manage to notice the relevant patterns until I've ended up in (multiple) difficult and/or embarrassing situations. Volunteering was one of the patternless things in my life until this month. From the time I was 12 years old, … Continue reading Volunteering
Parenting While Autistic – Kids’ Sports
I was reminded, while catching up with The Silent Wave's blog today, that I will soon be gearing up for a new sports-season with one of my children, whom I will refer to as "sporty-child" for this post, which is primarily about me, not them. I'm going to be extremely vague about said sport in … Continue reading Parenting While Autistic – Kids’ Sports
Flashback Friday – Christmas Eve Eve or Nap Day
I was around 12 or 13 years old when I discovered an amazing thing. If I took a nap on Christmas Eve Eve, the day before Christmas Eve, not only would Christmas seem to arrive faster, but I had an easier time navigating any family obligations that came up during that holiday. The discovery itself … Continue reading Flashback Friday – Christmas Eve Eve or Nap Day
Updating
I have a confession to make: I've never been very good at blogging or even privately journaling regularly. I have many posts in various stages of being written for this blog, but it's been a bit difficult to regain any kind of equilibrium after everything that happened in November. So! I'm going to write an update on … Continue reading Updating
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
Mamautistic 