For me being autistic, it can many times feel like it is just something I live with. Other times it can feel unfair for the things that make life harder for me. But through it all, I know that I have to love myself. This love helps me navigate life as best as I can with a good spirit. It is always knowing that life is always worth living. As hard as life can seem sometimes, it is just as important to never give up.

No matter where you fall on the autism spectrum, there are challenges that each and every individual experiences. No matter if they are trivial or complex, they are just as frustrating for the individual as they experience them. It can make life seem unfair that we have been given the hand that we have been dealt. Over the past few years, I’ve learned an important lesson. We must deal with the hand that we are dealt, no matter how hard it is.

Even as I go through many parts of my life, there are still parts of me that struggle. They are the parts that are not easily visible to the naked eye. If no one had known details about me, they would expect me to live life. They would expect me to live just as my neurotypical peers. I have begun to learn that hiding my needs and issues just makes going through the motions just as difficult.

Loving myself can seem cliche in many ways. Still, it keeps me going when there are many reasons to not do something. There can be several reasons I would find things wrong with the life I have been handed. Nonetheless, there are just as many things I can be happy to have the opportunity to experience. I knew I had to develop my own happiness. I learned to embrace myself as a person. I chose to ignore any of the naysayers along the way.

Granted, there can be moments where I feel that autism defeats me. There are times when I don’t like having to jump through hoops to get things more than my neurotypical peers. There are things that I would like to do just as everyone else does. Even as I feel like I can, a part of me must be satisfied with things as they are. It keeps me grounded.

Sometimes, I feel that life is unfair because of my challenges. Yet, a part of me wouldn’t change other things. This is because of the people and experiences that I bring to the table. I know it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for help when I need it. Being autistic is just what it is. I should not want to push the autism aside to make sure that life flows in a peaceful flow.

Yes, having any challenge can be difficult. It can be hard to love yourself through what you experience. But for me it took loving myself for the things that be embraced for what makes me feel good. You just have to find those things. Make them a priority in your life. This way, they can bring you joy when you need it.