To an autistic person, the outside world is challenging and complex. It is often not made for us. At times there can be so much sensory data that we have to withstand that it can overwhelm us. It takes a lot for us to go out and do things. Still, it is healthier for our mental health to go out. Being isolated in our homes all day can be detrimental if we have the ability to go out.

The degree of sensitivity can vary from person to person. No two people are the same. We all experience it in our own way. As such we will need to cope in different ways. Some need visible things like headphones or other comfort items to get through the hard parts. Others just go through the motions only to recharge once they return to safe space. When someone says that something is too much for them, it is not your place to judge. Instead, work to find ways to help them cope. This allows them to enjoy things with everyone else or in their own way.

For the longest time, I struggled to understand something important. In environments where I believed I couldn’t cope in the ways I needed, it was actually just fine. This was especially true if it made it easier to avoid reacting towards others. Eventually, I needed to have these conversations. I needed to know it was OK. There was no shame in doing so. Actually, it was better to do that rather than react in the way that I was reacting.

Yes, it can exhaust us when we return to our safe space. We often need to have personal time for ourselves to recharge for what we had to go through. Throughout my life, I was expected to do many things back-to-back and this caused extra strain. I didn’t understand how being autistic affected me. Now, I know better about taking the time I need to recharge. This approach has worked well for me. It allows me to do things in the way that I need to. This is especially important with all the changes that are constantly happening in the world.

The world is often not made for autistic people. It is getting better, but we have a far way to go. For now, I remind myself that there is no shame in needing to cope. I must do what I need to do. I do what I need to endure situations. It makes things go so much better for me in the long run. It is about knowing what works for you and what doesn’t. Do not have shame for doing what you need to do to take care of yourself.