In recent weeks, with the systems and the world resuming some state of normalcy in my neck of the woods, I have also gotten back to some sense of normalcy and understand more that with adulting comes the importance of having a routine, regimen and ultimately a purpose.
Being autistic there is a great deal about balancing what you can do versus what you cannot. However, there is a point that you have to realize that it is imperative to get up and get moving about because it is good for not only your physical health, but your mental health as well.
Excuses, Excuses, I know they help, yet I choose not to take part, What are they? Things for me ! I know that they help me, but I also know that when I choose not to do them that my life takes a downhill turn. I am realizing the importance of why things must be done in order to life the best life that I can and not get into that deep, dark place.
One of the major facets of autism is the fact that many thrive off of routines. Having and following a routine can also provide a sense of comfort and wellness for getting through the day and staying well. Not adhering to the said routine can cause challenges for autistics and those around them.
For many autistics, being able to accept changes can be difficult for some to tolerate. Many may react in a negative manner or they may obsess over it and try to come up with other scenarios of why it doesn’t need to change or have a solution that meets their needs. However, it must be understood that change sometimes has to be accepted even though it may be difficult.
Another week in the books and another opportunity to measure the progress I have been making in over a week by incorporating more changes to my regimens. They are creating change and I could not be happier of the progress I am making as a result of making simple changes and creating new habits.
Over the past few weeks, I have been resuming what was in most ways the routine that I had pre-pandemic. While many things have changed since then, there are still many things in a brick and mortar form that are still there and I have now realized how much the pandemic had set me back and what I needed to do to build myself back up to where I left off over two and a half years ago.
As we approach Independence Day in the United States and not only be thankful for the freedoms to be an independent country, we also sometimes as autistic individuals are held captive on the routines that we thrive on and cannot many times see completing things other than the ways we have known.
Note: As part of my Day Program, I contribure to the program's newsletter. In June 2021, that Newsletter transitoned to a monthly basis as much of the elements of the program are back to a in-person status.
I am at a place now where I am more content and can learn from experience. Compared to even a few months ago when you could see small signs by me masking when I wasn’t doing what I needed to do, there has been an improvement and many of my supporters can see a difference.
In the two years we have been fighting COVID-19, the first thing, while it can be very hard to autistics is the need to be flexible and adapt to situations that need to be changed, sometimes at a moment’s notice With COVID, this can happen because it is many times out of the control of those that can make the decision for us.
Practically and logically speaking the Old Christmas Story is fearful to the autistic person. Throughout my childhood, Christmas has been a challenging time for me for many factors. I am finally happy to say that I am in a good place with the holiday season and can manage the struggles it brings.
When one lives alone. A need often arises when one needs to shopping. To persons that are autistic or have several mental health challenges, this can become a struggle to do. As such when the willpower is not there, people will do with what they can by ordering take out or not eating at all. Part of adulting includes garnering up the courage to go to the store, purchase your items and bring them home and put them away.
Most of 2020 and gearing into 2021 we have had a great deal of change to routine. To the autistic community, this can be perceived as a nightmare. I hear of many individuals and families struggling and not being able to do the things that they can do pre-COVID. It stresses many and leads to autistic burnout, meltdown and shutdown. There are many that learn to adapt, however some have the inability to do that.
In gaining my skills to regroup for the next chapter in my life, I have made the decision to do a blog series on Adulting. The third installment I have chosen to write about is getting up and starting your day.
Dustin's Dynasty 