This week has been a relaxing week and I am ever thankful for it. I am off work again for a little reprieve for a while due to how my schedule and the holiday observances occur. I only had to miss one day of work to have two weeks off, which was nice. But in the course of this week, one of my mental health workers asked me why continue to be involved in my day program and work?
Month: December 2021
Wellness Wednesday: A Better Plan in 2022
As this is the last Wellness Wednesday blog post for 2021, I like to recap the year and be thankful for the year that was given to me and set plans for the year ahead. 2021 has shown me that if I put forth the energy, things can be done. I can do it if I set my mind to do it. While I lost that kindred spirit in the second half of 2021, I am hoping to get it back in 2022.
Concentrating on COVID: No More Fear in 2022
For almost two years I have lived in a continual state of fear of doing things outside of my safe space. I have taken each and every precaution that was made available to me. I believed the words of our government leaders. And while I do believe there is some merit to the information that is being delivered to us, I have to live a little and start 2022 by not living in total fear of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Adulting: Caring and Accepting Our Choices
This Christmas has been one of the better Christmases for me. It made me feel better that there are people out there that actually care about me. Yet, in weeks past, I had become too self-centered and accepting that I didn’t make the choice to do my share and be a friend when people reach out to me. You see, to have a friend isn’t just about getting what you want, it is also giving what you have to them too, that is what makes it a true friendship.
Christmas Challenges
Practically and logically speaking the Old Christmas Story is fearful to the autistic person. Throughout my childhood, Christmas has been a challenging time for me for many factors. I am finally happy to say that I am in a good place with the holiday season and can manage the struggles it brings.
Wellness Wednesday: No Higher
Last week was hopefully one of the most important wake up calls in my life. I had to read my weight out loud. It was a number that I neared earlier in 2021. Almost getting back to where I started this journey in 2021 was one of the hardest things I had to acknowledge. What I also had to acknowledge was the fact that I can no longer keep climbing up and focus more on losing.
Adulting: Being Influenced
It is often said that autistics are easily influenced. While that may be the case for many, it is not in all. Sadly, for many autistics, they don’t get to have much of an external feel of what is outside of their safe space. I also know of many autistics because of where they lie within the spectrum are unable to do so.
Adulting: Managing Unpleasantness
As autistics, sometimes we hear things that we don’t care to hear like being told to do things we don’t want to do. For many years I would become a spoiled little brat and act out because these things were not the way that I wanted them to be. I had to learn that part of adulting is learning to accept the unpleasant and being able to tolerate those elements by using coping skills to manage their unpleasantness.
The Importance of “Me” Time
As I am writing this blog post, I am doing so on my scheduled mental health day. What I once thought was something silly, then when I originally scheduled one almost two years ago that turned tragic finally after a very long time has come to fruition. With the ability to understand that things that are part of my normally scheduled routine are on what I think is a schedule, I am learning that they can wait on a day like today.
Wellness Wednesday: End-of-the-year Reboot
Wellness. Such a thick word. We need it more than ever, even though the days are shorter, the weather and COVID-19 is raging more than it ever has. However, I realized some things within the past few days that I need to work on to not only end the year on a good note, but start 2022 fresh.
Concentraing On COVID: Getting Back in Rhythm
Last weekend was a doozy of a weekend. Beside my home, the only place I went was to the neighborhood dollar store. COVID fears have set me back over time for fear of whether or not I will contract the virus. While part of this in my humble opinion is due to the fear mongering that is staged by the media, part of it is a result of my heightened anxiety about things. Sometimes we just need to rationalize and realize that doing some things in life really isn’t all that bad.
Adulting: Trigger Tolerance
Autistics when outside of their comfort zone face elements that can easily trigger behaviors. These triggers and behaviors vary from individuals for several factors. I, personally, am proud of how well I have become able more recently to be equipped with the ability to manage my risk of being triggered by things that I have been known to go into various behaviors from.
Zoos Working To Become More Autism-Friendly
by Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop | December 9, 2021 Guests walk past a zebra at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, Va. (Kaitlin McKeown/The Virginian-Pilot/TNS) A new effort is underway to help zoos across the nation become more welcoming to individuals with autism. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is working with Vanderbilt University’s Kennedy Center Treatment… Continue reading Zoos Working To Become More Autism-Friendly
Odd One Out
https://anchor.fm/s/50595d6c/podcast/rss Summary This episode is also available as a blog post: https://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/12/07/odd-one-out/ Transcription
A Healthy Restart
I’m In a really good place right now. But getting here hasn’t been easy. While I have been independent most of three years, it doesn't mean that it has been at all easy. It has been more bumpy than smooth. Finally after nearly three years I am in a good place with everything, despite still being in a global pandemic.
Wellness Wednesday: Being Honest About Foods
I have mentioned over the last few weeks that I have been journaling my foods that I have been consuming. As such, I have been realizing all the damage and suffering I have been causing to my body by consuming such foods. Autistics are known to have issues with their Gastrointestinal System and I am not immune to this deficiency. Therefore, I have realized that I need to be more on top of the things I consume instead of ignoring the need to take care of myself.
Odd One Out
Odd One Out. Being autistic and the one that's the Odd Man Out is tough.You asked for peace, but seeing others happy is tough.Others don't know.How hard it is to approach the group of happy people.When they are gathered around the table and you can't place yourself there.When they are all doing the work that… Continue reading Odd One Out
Concentrating On COVID: Fearmongering
While this COVID-19 Pandemic continues on nearing the two-year anniversary of what is known as the Pandemic. When COVID-19 was established as a pandemic back then, it was suggested it would be over in just two weeks, then they needed a month more, then another month before things got somewhat normal. However, nearing year two, it seems with the advancement of vaccines and such, the numbers are not as emphasized or hyped about as much.
Adulting: Setting Expectations
Being Autistic and growing up with so many struggles, but eventually the good comes out and you experience the good qualities of what being autistic is known for. Swinging between these two factors can play tricks on your mind, specifically your self-esteem and knowing that life is worth living. Many times it can be so hard to see the good in yourself even though those that support you can see it clearly because they have been through the trenches with you.
Santa Goes Sensory-Friendly At Events Nationwide
by Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop | December 3, 2021 Rian Bee helps his foster son Justin, who has autism, as they meet Santa at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Ill. in 2017. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune/TNS) With Christmas just around the corner, Santa Claus is set to turn down the music and make other adjustments at hundreds of… Continue reading Santa Goes Sensory-Friendly At Events Nationwide
Dustin's Dynasty 