For the longest time as in many autistic people, I can become very regimented to the way things were. It can be hard to see things in a different way. Still, doing something differently can actually be more beneficial. It gives new opportunities that were not there before. If you take the chance, you can change your mindset. You can avoid automatically thinking of all the things that go wrong with a change. Focus instead on what can go right or even be better because something was done. Do not be angry. Do not grieve. Let go of the things stuck in your brain. You realize that being open makes the process go smoother.

I’ll admit that over the past few years there has been many changes in my life. While they are still hard to predict, some of them just happen to be. You have to start to close the chapter of what was. Holding on to believing what was in the past is very unhealthy. You see that closing the chapter of something unexpected and unhealthy improves your quality of life. It was the catalyst of certain stresses and strife. Letting go reduces the stress you didn’t know was constantly generating in your life, sometimes several times a day.

Granted, processing any amount of change takes time. Some changes are easier than others to accept and close to the way that things are. After experiencing so much change in the past several years, it becomes easier to process. This has allowed me to see that there can be benefits of being open to doing something different. You will never know what happen. Yes, being uncertain can be challenging too. But you will never know unless you do it.

I considered moving out of my parents’ house several times in the past. This was before I actually went through with it. I believe the first times were not meant for me. But, the third time I went through with it. My first apartment was challenging. I was not mentally stable. The COVID lock downs and many other things added to the difficulty. Within a few months, I managed to secure better housing for myself. While there were some more bumps over the past few years, these changes in my life have kept me going. They have made me responsible. I have learned that I can do some of the toughest things if I give myself a chance.

With the past couple of changes over the last few years, they too seemed scary at first. I wanted to avoid them for various reasons. Nonetheless, I took the chances that I needed to take on them. They greatly improve my life. This change happened not only because I had to, but also because I was willing to take those first steps. I broke through the fear. I didn’t even acknowledge that those behind the change were there. They were available if I needed support along the way.

It can be hard to be receptive to new ideas as autistic people. We often think that the worst possible thing can happen. Yet, as I have learned, change has to happen to improve things. This change, in turn, makes your life better. It can seem scary at first. Having people that guide you along the way can be a big help too. Ultimately, having the confidence that anyone can do anything they put their mind can make all the difference. This belief leads to new things becoming successful.