This was lovely. I think I’m amazingly organised but somehow always seem to have forgotten something or can’t find the location of somewhere. And I ALWAYS think I’m going to be best friends with every new person I meet. As with most things I thought that was just me. Thank you!
I actually haven't uploaded anything in a few months, it's something that I fell out of the habit of and am trying to get back into, I'm happy to chat over Twitter DM if you wanted to in more detail? No pressure either way!
First of all, congratulations on posting this! 👏👏👏👏 I love the way you take us through the moment-to-moment of how you experience this. I recognize some of the feelings you are describing from my own experience, but on the outside things play out much differently for me. I have so much anxiety and fear about this exact kind of scenario that I'm early to everything. I leave the house way earlier than I need to, I plan to a ridiculous degree, and I often find myself embarassed to be the first guest at a party, or the person who is waiting alone in the cafe for somebody because I was so early. I make sure I always have something to read, or a notebook to write on. But, even though I have a different outcome in how I handle this, I very much relate to your comment "And this is why I don’t like having things in the diary. Going anywhere is a complicated procedure that I really do better without." I find a huge stress around having anything in my calendar - the anticipation, the anxiety of being late, etc, are really challenging. I've had to do a huge amount of masking (or just coping) as my corporate job often leaves my calendar filled with meetings (as many as 10-14 30 minute meetings a day at the worst of it). But, like you, I'm recognizing the toll that takes and working on following a more authentic path rather than trying to force myself to live the way it seems other people live.
I have to say, my favorite technology is the telephone. Meetings like this, by phone, are my prefered way to reduce the stress associated with going to a particular place at a particular time (and everything that entails).
Yeah, I guess the ADHD really changes the autism here. Interesting that it still feels stressful, the way you do it, though it sounds less hectic. I really enjoyed the temporary shift to meetings and seminars being online. It really freed up a lot of energy for me!
..re: Caroline writing diary with feet in the sink,bcoz ?? suitable dimensions,warm water availability for err..softening foot callouses.I do things like that, adapting items available with multitasks/time management
I have a lot of fatigue tho struggle to either take it seriously or assign it to autism. Invisible stuff is so hard to understand/accept/accommodate, isn't it?
Loved this. Brain vs body. Factor in that only your brain actually realises that you’re 63 so when you’re ‘racing’ around trying to find your keys, phone (in the utility cupboard this morning 🤷♀️) it’s already at no.3 on the late scale so you may as well cancel.
Hi carol, thanks for reading. This one was wuite fun to write actually, i might try to capture more of the chaos i experience each time i attempt to leave the house... Great to be in touch with another late to the party au-dhder too 🎉
Great article Chelsey! Saw you at bus stop right after your interview in your natty ensemble. You looked lovely as ever btw! Good luck with Faber 🤞💞
Awww, thanks Candi! Also, I AM an academic so surely I can dress how I want?
This was lovely. I think I’m amazingly organised but somehow always seem to have forgotten something or can’t find the location of somewhere. And I ALWAYS think I’m going to be best friends with every new person I meet. As with most things I thought that was just me. Thank you!
Hehe. So Suzie, that means if we meet, we REALLY WOULD BECOME BEST FRIENDS!
You always manage to capture things so perfectly.
Thanks ally-mai. How as re your book reviews going? Send me your latest video xx
I actually haven't uploaded anything in a few months, it's something that I fell out of the habit of and am trying to get back into, I'm happy to chat over Twitter DM if you wanted to in more detail? No pressure either way!
Oh! You write so well about all this!!! Excellent research by Lauren Hull - look forward to reading your interview! Thank you!
Loved this and related to it x
Good luck with Faber!
First of all, congratulations on posting this! 👏👏👏👏 I love the way you take us through the moment-to-moment of how you experience this. I recognize some of the feelings you are describing from my own experience, but on the outside things play out much differently for me. I have so much anxiety and fear about this exact kind of scenario that I'm early to everything. I leave the house way earlier than I need to, I plan to a ridiculous degree, and I often find myself embarassed to be the first guest at a party, or the person who is waiting alone in the cafe for somebody because I was so early. I make sure I always have something to read, or a notebook to write on. But, even though I have a different outcome in how I handle this, I very much relate to your comment "And this is why I don’t like having things in the diary. Going anywhere is a complicated procedure that I really do better without." I find a huge stress around having anything in my calendar - the anticipation, the anxiety of being late, etc, are really challenging. I've had to do a huge amount of masking (or just coping) as my corporate job often leaves my calendar filled with meetings (as many as 10-14 30 minute meetings a day at the worst of it). But, like you, I'm recognizing the toll that takes and working on following a more authentic path rather than trying to force myself to live the way it seems other people live.
I have to say, my favorite technology is the telephone. Meetings like this, by phone, are my prefered way to reduce the stress associated with going to a particular place at a particular time (and everything that entails).
Yeah, I guess the ADHD really changes the autism here. Interesting that it still feels stressful, the way you do it, though it sounds less hectic. I really enjoyed the temporary shift to meetings and seminars being online. It really freed up a lot of energy for me!
Thanks for reading and commenting. 💜
..re: Caroline writing diary with feet in the sink,bcoz ?? suitable dimensions,warm water availability for err..softening foot callouses.I do things like that, adapting items available with multitasks/time management
Yeah, I mean, it's just common sense
How is fatigue,another Autism issue?
Not bcoz of advanced age,plus nonstop personal life tragedies,plus emotional-draining attachments,...
I have a lot of fatigue tho struggle to either take it seriously or assign it to autism. Invisible stuff is so hard to understand/accept/accommodate, isn't it?
Loved this. Brain vs body. Factor in that only your brain actually realises that you’re 63 so when you’re ‘racing’ around trying to find your keys, phone (in the utility cupboard this morning 🤷♀️) it’s already at no.3 on the late scale so you may as well cancel.
Particularly loved this one ❤️
Hi carol, thanks for reading. This one was wuite fun to write actually, i might try to capture more of the chaos i experience each time i attempt to leave the house... Great to be in touch with another late to the party au-dhder too 🎉
At least you found them in the end!