Some Ways Learning I Was Autistic Improved My Life...

Some Ways Learning I Was Autistic

Improved My Life...

#1

I understand myself better.

I now have a context for why I do what I do. Like with repetitive behaviors that end up harming me such as picking my skin until it bleeds. Now I know that I’ve done that my whole life due to sensory issues. Knowing the “why” helps me intervene earlier, find alternatives, meet my needs better, etc which has improved my quality of life.

#2

I am less confused about what has happened to me.

Everything that I’ve been through now makes so much more sense. Couldn’t maintain 99.5% of all my relationships? autism-related. Can’t figure out people and how to communicate with them even though I studied it in graduate school? My money is on autism-related. Bullied most of my life? Definitely autism-related. Severe anxiety most of my life? Autism-related.

#3

I have more self-compassion (work in progress)

Prior to learning I was autistic, I treated myself as a lifelong improvement project. I put myself in uncomfortable situations over and over again trying to finally achieve some unrealistic expectation of what I thought a person should be. Since I now realize I will never achieve it anyway, I can divert some of that energy to actually trying to accept myself and create a life that feels better for me even though I am woefully imperfect.

#4

I don’t force myself to mask

I’ve become more aware of situations and people that make me feel uncomfortable and instead of pushing through, I try to prioritize my comfort now. When I feel the need to mask around someone, I’m more likely to not force myself to be around them and have made peace with the fact that my social circle will always be small because of that. #actuallyautistic #autistictherapist