For most of my life, I have used excuses. I avoid things that are uncomfortable to me. This happens when anxiety plays its part in my mind. Instead of doing what is uncomfortable to me, I make invalid excuses. I tell myself why I can’t or don’t want to do something. In fact, many times after doing something and getting acclimated to it, I realize it is actually good for me.

Doing new or different things can be hard for autistic people. I am no exception. The uncertainty and unexpectedness that things bring drives fear. I try to avoid things that push me out of my comfort zone. I also avoid things that seem scary. But over the past few years, I have met new people in my life. They make me step more outside of my comfort zone. Changes can be made on a whim, which makes things challenging. These situations can make me anxious and hesitant to continue doing things.

I have needed to be honest. I have also needed to be willing to communicate with different people. I must share what I am feeling and what I fear. I see that doing something is scary. I have been afraid of doing things that I have been pushed to do. Still, there have been just as many things that I have taken on and accepted for what they were. Doing things differently can be challenging. Trying a new approach is sometimes difficult. Experiencing something unfamiliar can also be tough. There have been countless times I wanted to run away from my responsibilities. I solely focused on all the bad things that happen. Yet, fulfilling those responsibilities makes me more comfortable and willing to do what is needed. It is simply part of what needs to be done.

It can be easy to make excuses for hard things. This often happens because of the fear of the worst possible outcome. Time and time again, I have proved to myself I can do what it takes. I consistently do what is needed and what is asked of me. I experience things that push me out of my comfort zone. It takes trust in others and the confidence that their support is unwavering. With their trust, I can achieve what is necessary and turn it into reality. Even when fear and anxiety try to steer me towards making excuses, I push through because their support helps me.

Someone I heard speak said that change is inevitable and a part of life. We have to accept it for how it is and learn to deal with it as it comes. Yes, some tasks I’ve faced in the past were challenging. I made a million excuses instead of being honest. I hesitated to share my feelings but understood that things can’t always be what they are. We have to step out of our comfort zone sometimes. We need to prove to ourselves that we can do what it takes. This includes doing what is asked of us.