Being autistic and having co-occurring anxiety is challenging. They can go hand-in-hand to prevent me from doing what I know I need to do. This year, I have learned the importance of taking care of my mental health in the right way. This effort can go a long way in making that happen. I know I needed to make that not only a reality but also a goal. I often took the easy way out. I believed I had the inertia and stamina to do what was asked of me. Still, it takes putting forth the needed effort to do it.

I learned that by resisting doing something, I allow things to pile up. This can lead to problems. It can make things very difficult and uncomfortable. You lose the sense of self-appreciation. This can be experienced when the effort is continued. It can also happen when putting in the effort to make things be what they need to be. We don’t often realize how simple it is to finish our tasks. Our brain can make us overthink, leading us to believe things are harder than they actually are.

It takes just moving and doing what is needed to be done no matter what you think it takes sometimes. Just take the step. Make some progress happen. You will see how easy it is to do what you thought would deeply burden you. When you start to feel better as things have the desired outcome, you will start to feel proud. You will be proud of your accomplishments. You did what you earlier thought was impossible.

There was so many times that I did not want to do the things that I had to do. But people pushed me. Eventually, I had to do what was necessary to get out the door. I had to get going to do what has been a part of my life for the last few years. Yes, there were many times when I did not want to go back to doing what I needed to do. I faced many confrontations and arguments. There were passive thoughts that I would not entertain today. Eventually, I knew that life was better once I had done what I needed to do.

Granted, some of those worst times were worsened by my own neglect. I did not take care of myself in the way I now know is crucial. This is essential to exist in the same spaces. I had to understand how I made others feel. I also had to consider the potential consequences if I had not begun to take my mental health seriously. It was necessary to be consistent about caring for it no matter what. It mattered just as much as my physical health. In fact, not caring for my mental health as needed made me feel horrible. I never wanted to admit it.

Now I see that caring for my mental health can make me feel better physically. I have started to take the necessary steps to do what is needed every day. This helps make life what I want it to be. Things are getting better because I was patient with myself. I finally saw that there is no health without mental health. It is important to care for it to feel well. This allows me to be the person I need to be.