I have been focusing on my mental health over the past year. During this time, I have begun to realize that rest is not only acceptable. It is crucial for my well-being. It is also essential at times. Autism can bog me down with tasks that overwhelm me. These tasks need a lot of energy to exist in a challenging world, both for me and other autistic people. At the start of this year, I learned to take pride in resting. Recharging my internal battery is now something I embrace. This helps me be ready to do what is needed ahead.

I come from a time where I constantly felt pressured to do something. Rest was frowned upon unless you fell ill. But over time, I started to see things more clearly. I realized it was something I had to do for myself. This was necessary when things became too much. It had been hard to see that the world has changed a lot. I have been through a lot of things too. When it is appropriate and necessary, it is perfectly acceptable to get the rest I need. This allows me to recharge and be ready for what I must do for the days ahead.

I have had to learn that there also can’t be too much sleep. Too much can mess with my internal clock. It can set me up for neglecting my self-care needs. In turn, this makes recovery harder and more time-consuming. This process makes me frustrated. While I am working on being kind to myself, I aim to control my irritation when I face disappointments. I know I have the power to manage my time, especially concerning rest. I need to improve at setting a timer when I nap. This method allows me to avoid irritation after sleeping late in the day. It helps me adhere better to what I need to be at my best. I have improved at understanding the necessity of adhering completely to my mental health care. I am prudent about getting back on track. When I set up things correctly, it’s less possible for potential distractions to arise.

I am becoming more flexible. I understand there isn’t a necessity to strictly adhere to the clock. My internal schedule is something I and many others on the autism spectrum can thrive on. I know that I worry about not being having a good routine when things change suddenly. When plans do not go as expected, I worry too. Yet, I have also seen that outcomes are not as negative as I expect. In fact, good things have happened. Being more flexible has led to positive experiences. Sacrificing things for others has also led to positive outcomes, even though I was irritated at times in the past.

These have been multiple principles that have allowed me to have a better year. I don’t have to make it what I had long thought it to be. I allow myself to breathe and do what I can. I accept that rest is necessary. Other things I need to do are crucial. They are acceptable to living the life that I must live.