In some of my hardest times I wanted to put myself down the worst for feeling the way I did. The mistakes I made and the pointless and destructive choices I made. I knew I had to own up to them. I had to start making them right. I needed to do what I had known all along. Sometimes I just needed to be proud of taking the small steps. These steps were necessary to exist in this world. This pride helped me get through some of my hardest days.

Life isn’t easy. I did not make some of the wisest decisions over the past several years. This didn’t help the situation either. I had to see that what I was doing was hurting myself. I was also focusing on all the wrong things. I knew I had to take light in doing some of the things that mattered. Staying up all day was challenging. Not falling into bed when things were tough or frustrating was something I had become proud of. I was also proud of cleaning up around my apartment. I took pride in my home. I made it presentable no matter how hard it was. There were always clothes, towels, or linens that needed laundering. Making sure I had clothes to wear was a task on its own. I also ensured I had clean towels or fresh bed sheets.

I was always one to celebrate the small things in life. I let the Facebook Pages I follow under Dustin’s Dynasty know. I do this when those on the spectrum reach a small milestone. They have not thought they achieve it. These milestones can make a better life for them and those who care for them. Eventually, I feel that people get tired when things have to stay the same. It wears on them when the same actions are needed to make things a reality. I was tired of having the conversation about my mental health.

Eventually, I realized that I had to take care of it myself. But I had to retool things. They needed to be done by me in a way that was helpful for me and worked the best. I had to let go of thinking that the ways I was doing things would help. Instead, I needed to focus on making things better in the ways I learned. I had to implement tools and tricks that are beneficial and not harmful to me.

It has been a long ride. Now, I see things in a much better light. I am more settled than I was a year ago. I know I have to continue doing what is necessary to exist on this earth. Sometimes, it means being proud of the small things to do what is needed. There is no shame in celebrating the small things you achieve. These things can be so hard yet seem so simple in your life.