Being autistic is challenging. Life can often make us think that things are harder than they seem to be. Sometimes, we want to give in because it is hard not to do certain things. Yet, we can be determined to do what we need. We strive to achieve the same things that our neurotypical counterparts do, despite the challenges we face.

It is challenging to do things that can bring on anxiety and fear of what can happen. Still, it is just as important to see the good things that can happen in a situation. There have been many times I feared doing things. I avoided tasks simply because patience was difficult. It was hard to wait and believe I had what it took to get through some of the hardest challenges. This was true even when I had doubts.

I have often felt tempted to stop doing things because of my fear and anxiety. These feelings try to convince me that I am not determined enough to face life’s realities. While many perceive things as simple, they are often made to be harder. This is because challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming and seem difficult.

But time and time again, I prove to so many people that I am determined. I can do some of what are the hardest things for me. Even when I doubt my capabilities, I push through. I am made to step out of my comfort zone. I do the things that make me uncomfortable or are unwanted. They are a part of what is expected of me. It seems hard to do what is unwanted. Still, I have done hard things several times in the past year. They had seemed impossible and I wanted to avoid them. I even stopped doing what I knew was best.

I have never seen those as determined to do hard things as autistic people, me included. There have been countless times when I wanted to avoid things. I felt like quitting and regressing to doing things that made me feel more comfortable. I was unwilling to deal with hard things or take responsibility. I struggled to accept things for what they were. While the last several years have not been easy for me, I have continually faced some of the hardest challenges. I feared they would bring me down and make me feel incapable due to anxiety and fear. I wanted to avoid these difficult tasks because they made me uncomfortable. Yet, I pushed through and did what I had to do. It was important to do what was right and for the right reasons.

Even today, I stay determined to fulfill the tasks assigned to me. I know those who oversee me believe in my ability to succeed. They wouldn’t challenge me if they thought otherwise. If I am fearful and anxious, I recognize the need to speak comfortably with those I must communicate with. I can have these conversations in an honest and direct manner. I feel that they can hear me out and comfort me when needed. They can also be firm and fair in pushing me to do what I need to do. This shows that I can have the determination necessary to achieve my goals.