#i’ve definitely had more meltdowns and shutdowns when i was in school but they have became more violent since the beginning of the year

[autisticlegolas]

autism is fun when you watch things, start to see patterns and catalogue them on spreadsheets. less fun when you have more frequent meltdowns and you start to speak the way you think and people think you’re rude bc you don’t have the energy to compensate for people’s misinterpretation before saying anything like you’ve always done

[lord-of-fidgets]

Ratchet x Autistic Reader ( Transformers Prime )

🚑 The first time you met the autobots it was all a bit much to take in; even more so when Optimus had assigned you with Ratchet. Or, Ratchet with you - however you wanted to look at it. It made sense - the others were already paired off and no doubt Optimus realized you'd feel safer with the medic, despite his apparently grumpy demaner.

🚑 It did take a while to pick up on it but you definitely found that he was basically a teddy bear - grumpy on the outside but deeply caring on the inside.

🚑 Since he didn't really leave the base - Omega One - he had a pretty set routine. You settled into it easily as well. Still in school or in college? You can study next to him in content silence as you both plod along with your tasks. Simply interested in what he is doing? He wouldn't mind you watching - and he doesn't mind the questions, despite the way he talks which would make it seem he'd rather not be bothered with inquires. In fact, he's more than willing to give explanations about anything you're interested in. His day to day routine is fairly concrete; something you both enjoy and prefer .

🚑 Special Interests - he wouldn't mind listening. Believe it or not, he makes a good sounding board. Of course sometimes he's busy or something unexpected happens that means he has to interrupt- but later as you're both in his habsuite getting ready to sleep, he's more than willing to let you continue if you want. He's genuinely interested because he does care about you - even if it's not always obvious.

🚑 Once he discovers you're autistic, Ratchet is invested in learning what he can ( when he has the time he prioritizes it ) and often asks you about your own experiences. When he hears about organizations like Autism $peaks, he's appalled and utters more than a few irritated words under his breath. Don't be suprised if he sits you down and wants to know if you want to make a plan in case of Meltdowns/shutdowns, overwhelm, etc. It's extremely important to him to be able to aid you when you need it.

🚑 Because he does care - even if he likes to pretend he's too grumpy to care - Primus help when you DO get overstimulated. If it's because of anyone else in the base - they'd maybe get one warning, which was probably snapped out as an order at everyone else to be quiet while he hurries to get you to a place that you can calm down in.

🚑 You have a stim kit at the base, including a weighted blanket, in his habsuite. Because if you need to get away, and a drive wasn't an option or good idea, you definitely wouldn't be disturbed in there. He'd make sure of it. Ratchet would keep any questions to simple "yes" or "no" ones, just long enough to know exactly what you needed.

🚑 If you use a device or prefer to use a device to communicate, no problem. He's already made sure he can interact with the device and made it so you could talk to him at any point using it. It doesn't matter if you're non-verbl, Semi-verbal, or just can't speak due to no spoons - he would never judge and would look to take the best of care of you. If you take medication, he'd always remind you to take it when and how you needed. which - don't be suprised if he hovers. He doesn't mean to - he just cares and so worries ( sometimes obsessively ). Thank you for humoring him.

🚑 A rare treat would be quiet drives together - wrapped up in a weighted blanket with a comfort object or stim toy as you are perched in the passenger seat, you love evening drives when the twilight is dimming and the bright desert sun is no longer overwhelming sensory wise. His voice is nice to listen to; he could ramble on about any topic he knew and was passionate about... But there would also be rides of just comfortable silence. Sometimes you'd end up falling asleep and he's pleased you're getting rest.

🚑 He's aware of how difficult it can be to sleep... So he'd be extra careful to not wake you. His habsuite isn't far from the sick bay - so the soft whirls of the machinery and his spark combine into a soothing mix of white noise. You're small and often he'll gently place you on his chest as he powers down; for the love of the All Spark don't try to disappear without waking him- he'd panic. Then get upset from the fear ( being a war vet and a medic can carry a heavy toll on a bot; I suspect he has PTSD himself. ); Not at you ( though it can seem like it in the heat of the moment ) but at the thought that something could of happened and if he wasn't there wheb you needed help what could have happened.

🚑 Stims don't bother him; he'd rather you stim and be yourself around him than feel like you have to hide it. you're free to - and encouraged to - drop your mask around him. If someone dares try to be ableistic toward you - Primus help their soul/spark. Let's admit it - Ratchet genuinely upset and angry is kinda unnerving. But he's careful to keep it in check around you. Last thing he wants is to make you upset in turn or to cause you discomfort of any sort.

🚑 He'd fight through hell and back for you. That's just the kind of bot he is.

🚑 You both end up becoming very close and work together often. It soon seems as if you've both been always working together. On days you're not there, he'll catch himself turning to address you only to feel a tinge of disappointment when he remembers you're not there then. Not that he'd admit it, willingly.

🚑 If you have a learning disability/intellectual disability, he's here to support you. You don't have to worry about proving your worth to him at all; you exist and are worth more than he can measure. Though, again, not that he'd willingly admit that part and tries to hide the pleasure he finds in your company in case it shows too much. After all he has that "grumpy-persona" to maintain. Can't drive? He's got you covered. Can't work a "normal" job or at all? Human societies are flawed and he disagrees with the abelstic nature of a lot of the ideals in society- you're valuable because you're you, you're alive. And you're his partner, his assistant, and he's your guardian. ( A position he takes seriously).

🚑 Once he realizes he's become your "safe place/person", he's suprised, humbled and pleased all at once. We all know he still grieves the fact he couldn't fully restore Bumblebee's voice during the war; Ratchet has a deep sense of duty, but he also has a harsh inner critic. To think you trust him enough even in your most vulnerable state is overwhelming to him but also makes the medic all the more determined to be there for you.

( maybe Ill make a part two for this one too. I'd like feedback if you've got any. Allistics don't derail. I'm willing to write more of these if people are interested. I don't think they're all that good but they do come from my heart. I'm also autistic, etc, and as I've said I can't speak for all autistics just me. So there may be things you can't relate to. That's ok and I hope you still enjoyed.)

Thank you for reading.

[echo-of-sounds]

Just a weird thing I thought you’d find funny because I sure as heck do:

I never got diagnosed officially but throughout my life, my mom, stepmom, a therapist, and her mentor have suspected that I was on the spectrum (my brother got formally diagnosed, thus increasing my chances). The problem is that I’m so specific and in need of examples (a symptom) that I didn’t take it quite seriously because I thought “Oh, everybody does that” or “Well, I don’t quite do that so maybe I’m not autistic.”

The arguably funny part is, it got to where an autistic friend told me that a lot of the stuff I do suggests it to a point where I kinda?? Broke her??

So it would be me bringing something up, her explaining how it could be read as a symptom, and then me going, “Oh. ... So I used to (insert v specific thing that matches perfectly that I didn’t think counted).”

Ex:

Me: *I struggle letting myself break “a rule” I personally established because the thought of it causes me actual distress to the point of stimming furiously*

Friend: Bruh, this is textbook. It sorta mixes in with a sense of right and wrong.

Me: I don’t have that

Friend: Dude, you get ridiculously pissed when people break rules that don’t matter all that much in the grand scheme.

Me: ... My dad did tell me I was very intense about right and wrong as a little girl. 🤔

The ensuing rage from her included lines such as “GO GET DIAGNOSED, YOU FOOL!!” and “GO SMELL A PIE ON A WINDOWSILL AND FLOAT TO IT SINCE YOU WANNA BE SO CARTOONISH!!” After months of me asking if something I did was a spectrum thing (and it always fucking was with the evidence to prove it), I had broken her.

I just have all these quotes saved because seeing her come undone at my obliviousness was hilarious. 😂😂😂

I’m the exact same way! When reading diagnostic criteria for autism, I had a hard time connecting to it. I researched more and found articles about autism written by autistic people. Now those? Those made sense. I connected and understood those.

Like the social parts. I get so unbelievably drained from the smallest social situations. I always keep in my mind how to sit, act, what to say, what tone of voice, where to look, and when to respond. I’ve learned that that isn’t normal.

My face is often flat. My voice is low. People don’t know when I’m joking because my voice doesn’t reflect anything. If I need to try to speak over music or some loud sounds, I just won’t talk because of how much energy it takes to raise my voice even a little.

My friends thought it was weird how invested I got with my interests. When TMNT 2016 came out, I loved it. I went back to rewatch the old cartoons, read some comics, and just read about their creation. They didn’t understand why and how I got so easily involved with something seemingly minimal to them.

I have a morning routine, but I don’t have a daily routine. People think you need the latter for autism. But I have two specific towels, one purple, one blue, that I use for showers. I also have two Purple washcloths. Only I can use them. If someone else does, I get angry. I don’t mean to. Others don’t understand. I just get so irrational because they’re mine. No one else gets to use them. 

I always need to sit in the same chair at my dad’s house. It’s beside my dad’s seat. If I don’t sit there and my dad doesn’t sit in his, I get pissed off and confused. My room needs to be organized how I need it. If someone moves or touches something, I’m hurt and angry. I have a specific cup and bowl only I can use. When I was younger, I never let my sibling use my toys. They’re mine. I was scolded for not sharing by teachers. Other people would just use them wrong, make a mess, get them dirty, or lose them. Only I can touch them. I’m still like that when it comes to my toys, collectibles, and books. 

I learned that humming and repeating words/lines are a form of stimming. Articles by non-autistic people never include things like that. They never actually provide useful details and examples. I thought it was just something I did. But they’re not. I hum the Pink Panther theme song all the time. I love it. I mostly do it when I’m stressed or in a rush. It helps me focus.

I’ve also been able to understand how hypersensitivity leads to meltdowns and shutdowns. I’ve always had them. I never shared that part with my friends and family because I thought I was being immature. But it was my brain genuinely struggling to process wtf is happening around me.

It’s the same with my fumbling and poor coordination. And my uneven skills. I either excel in something because I love it, or I’m the worst and cannot do said thing. I wore the same sweatshirt to school for nearly a year because I couldn’t physically, mentally, and emotionally handle anything else touching my skin.

Or how I never understand why being blunt is rude/mean. My friends would come to me specifically for advice because they appreciated that I could be blunt with them. I don’t understand why not waving or smiling at someone is rude. Apparently, it is? I don’t say ‘hello’ or ‘good morning or whatever when I walk into a room. Apparently, you need to greet someone when you do that? I don’t get why. They can see me. I can see them. Why do I need to say something as a greeting when we very clearly see each other?

But yeah, I definitely understand what you’re saying and can relate. I’ve found that reading and relating to articles/books/posts is so much easier when it’s written by an autistic person because they understand. They don’t stick to the stereotypes. They provide genuine advice and help.

[ladyautie]

get to know me more!

@funyasm​ tagged me and I’m bored after writing my chapter, so here it is!

✨ what do you prefer to be called name wise?

My name’s Sophie. My friends call me Spencou or Spence. We met on a Role-Playing game forum where I played a character named Spencer. We’re used to call each other by our characters’ names and nicknames, most of the time. My brother calls me Sis’.

✨ when is your birthday?

15th november 1993.

✨ where do you live?

Paris, France.

✨ three things you are doing right now?

I’m watching an episode of AT4W on youtube, scrolling on Tumblr and I’m drinking a coffee.

✨ four fandoms that have piqued your interest right now?

Definitely It and especially Eddie Kaspbrak and the ship Reddie. I’m kinda obsessed right now, writing fanfic, reading fanfic, daydreaming about it and all.

I just played the Last of Us 2 and I’m currently watching a let’s play from my favorite youtubers, Mari and Stacy from Geek Remix. I’ll probably read a few fics as well.

The tv show Barry (HBO) is a definite special interest for me. I’m probably going to watch it all once again real soon and I’m planning on writing a fanfic or two in the future. I’m dying for the third season to come.

Finally, I’m probably going to be super into The Umbrella Academy once again, when the second season will be released. I’m just really into Vanya, Klaus and Allison and I can’t wait to see more of them.

✨ how is the pandemic treating you?

None of the people I know have been contaminated, so I’m lucky about that. I’m not quarantined anymore, back to work, and the transition is not easy. 

I feel like I’m more openly autistic than I used to be and that I can’t stand the rest of the world for a long period of time. I’ve experienced multiple meltdowns and shutdowns and I have real difficulties to socialize with most people or to focus on my work.

I feel incredibly naked and vulnerable whenever I’m leaving my flat without my mask on, so I think that’s definitely something I’m gonna have to work on in the future.

Leaving Paris and meeting my folks for my mother’s wedding, I found myself surrounded by people who mostly didn’t care about the virus, kissing each other on the cheek in true french fashion to say hello, hugging, not wearing a mask, not respecting any kind of social distance. 

I was quickly overwhelmed by all of that, plus the noise, and I had to isolate myself in my parents’ car, sobbing hysterically and willing to suffer in a overheated car if it meant having a bit of peace.

There are definitely going to be long-term consequences. I can only hope that my physical health will remain okay, though.

✨ song you can’t stop listening right now?

Keep On by Sasha Sloan. I just really love the lyrics and the message.

✨ recommend a movie.

Whenever I have to think of a movie to recommend, Frank by Lenny Abrahamson is the first one that comes to my mind. This movie is an obsession for me since the first time I watched it and I often find myself watching it again and again. Despite its heavy subjects, it’s definitely a comfort movie for me.

Too often, movies featuring mentally ill characters will aim for the characters to “get better”, which doesn’t mean for them to find healthy ways to cope with their issues, but usually for them to look more “neurotypical-like”, if you know what I mean. Frank  doesn’t go that way at all. On the contrary, it pushes the viewer to empathize with the main characters and to understand their point of view, their way of being.

It’s so incredibly comforting to watch a movie featuring mental illness realistic and not romanticized and to have the movie say “you’re different and you have issues, but you’ll find your tribe someday and be able to find your own happiness, even if it’s unconventional by society’s standards”.

I don’t know, I just have so much feelings about this movie. Plus the music slaps, the humor is hilarious (kudos to the random French guy who can perfectly understand English but refuses to utter a single word if it’s not in French) and the actors are truly on point (I can only salute Domnhall Gleeson, among everyone else who is also worthy of praise, because he definitely managed to make me hate his character in a way I almost never hated a character before).

Watch it!

✨ how old are you?

I’m 26 years old.

✨ school, university, occupation, other?

I used to be a librarian, but I couldn’t find a stable job in this field, so I passed an entrance examination and I’m now working in the tax administration. Yeah, not really glamorous, but it pays the bills and I’m accommodated for my disability, so it helps. 

✨ do you prefer hot or cold?

Definitely cold. When I was a kid, I used to swim in mountain lakes, at temperatures close to 13° celsius, and I still take my showers mostly cold. I can’t stand heat, I get headaches very easily when it’s sunny and I’m getting confused easily whenever it’s too hot. I recently had a nosebleed at work so intense that I found myself spitting blood (it went better once I got a fan, making the temperature bearable).

✨ name one fact others may not know about you.

I used to be allergic to my own sweat when I was around 18, until my early twenties. Whenever I was doing a mild physical effort or getting stressed out, I would get hives and itchy skin rash all over my whole freaking body, which was so exhausting that I would fall asleep immediately as soon as the rash was gone. 

It disappeared as suddenly as it appeared, without me ever doing something about it. I still don’t know why I experienced that and if I’m going to experience that ever again. I hope not.

✨ are you shy?

My autism makes social interactions complicated, but I’d say I’m mostly impaired by my social anxiety and the various traumas I’m dealing with daily.

Traumas I got after having been bullied pretty badly by kids and teachers during my school years, my stepfather being borderline abusive and different traumatic experiences, including my childhood crush dying from a ski accident when I was 15 or so (and me never being able to tell him that I loved him) and people betraying me so many times that I can’t even recall every little thing.

As a result, I find myself doubting constantly that I’m worthy of love, affection and respect and I often wonder when I’ll do or say the “wrong” thing that will cause me to lose everyone I care about. I also have a hard time knowing who I am and, as a result, allowing everyone to know who I am as well. 

I often don’t know what to say and will find myself keeping my mouth shut, even on topics I’m knowledgeable about, because I’m scared of people shutting me down, among other things. My friends make it easier for me to talk about things I like and all, but I’m still heavily doubting myself.

I try to challenge myself regularly. I’ll force myself to take part in events that are taxing or that are forcing me to perform in front of people. That’s how I found myself taking part in the casting part of the french equivalent of “American Idol” (I merely met the pre-judges, but I did manage to sing my whole song in front of them). I needed to prove to myself that I could do it.

✨ do you have any preferred pronouns?

I’m using she/her, but I don’t mind people using they/them to talk about me if they don’t want to be gender-specific.

✨ any pet peeves?

I hate how people can freely and openly be homophobic, racist, ableist, transphobic, sexist and so on, but as soon as I open my mouth to let them know that what they said/did wasn’t appropriate, I’m labelled as one of those “hysterical feminists” or a “party pooper”. s/ Sorry if your antisemitic joke isn’t making me laugh, my “dear” colleague... /s I hate whenever people infantilize me, especially my mom. She’s still keeping an eye on my bank account, despite me telling her that I didn’t want her to do so again and again. I don’t dare to block her out, because I’m scared of her emotional reaction.  I hate the ugliest parts of fandom, notably the obsession with “who’s topping / who’s bottoming” whenever there’s a gay pairing or the racism / ableism / transphobia / homophobia I’ve witnessed again and again.

I don’t dare to engage in the Last of Us 2 fandom because of that and the way some people describe the character of Abby (a very muscular woman), focusing on her physical appearance and calling her awful names (being downright transphobic when they thought that she was the transgender character that Naughty Dog announced there would be in their game). 

✨ what’s your favorite “dere” type?

I had to google it, because aside from Yandere and Tsundere, I didn’t know a thing about it. I guess you could say I’m a Dandere (someone who is quiet and asocial. They are afraid to talk, fearing that what they say will get them in trouble.). 

My favorite type is Kuudere though, when it comes to anime in particular (someone who is calm and collected on the outside, and never panics. They show little emotion, and in extreme cases are completely emotionless, but may be hiding their true emotions. They tend to be leaders who are always in charge of a situation.). 

My favorite anime character, Kiyotaka Ayanokōji from the anime Classroom of the elite, is the most extreme case I can think about. He’s completely expressionless for most of the anime, talks with a very dull voice and it’s impossible to know what he’s thinking about at all times or what’s his overall plan. His hidden depth makes him all the more fascinating. He managed to keep me interested in a mostly meh anime.

✨ rate your life 1-10. 1 being really crappy and 10 being the best you could ever be.

It’s a bit hard, but somewhere around 5 or 6? I went through tons of crap in my life but I’m still here and able to live on my own, even if my quality of life isn’t all that good. I live with nearly daily suicidal thoughts since I was a teenager and have to compose with my meltdowns and anxiety attacks as well. I feel “other” most of the time and I can’t relate to most people I’m meeting and interacting with, which can sometimes feel very lonely.

On the other hand, I have wonderful friends who are willing to put up with my trauma crap and are overall amazing to talk to and be around. I have a cat I love dearly. They’re the reason why I’m still alive to this day, giving me a reason to say fuck off to my suicidal thoughts. 

✨ what’s your main blog?

My main blog is Ladyautie and is about autism. I have another blog, reddie-4-more, focusing on the It movies and Eddie Kaspbrak and Richie Tozier.

✨ is there anything you think people need to know about you before becoming friends with you?

So, uh, don’t be weirded out by the kind of things I can tell you about my past. Even if it seems a lot, all of it is definitely true. 

For example, I was almost kidnapped when I was around 8 or 9 by a random guy, while I was camping with my father. 

My father and my paternal grandmother actually kidnapped me and my brother when I was around two and I stayed with him until the social workers determined that my mother had to raise us again because our well-being and overall life were threatened. 

Lots of events of my life seem far-fetched or out of a movie / a book or something and I had people telling me that I must be lying or that I’m over-exaggerating, something that always hurts deeply.

I’m terribly awkward and more or less openly autistic, so you’re definitely going to notice something different about me. I can’t change for you and I’m not willing to hide my traits only to make you feel more comfortable about frequenting me, so if you can’t handle my socially anxious and disabled ass, then just leave.

I need people to actually tell me what they think or feel. I’m very “first degree” and I’m pretty bad at guessing what people are thinking about. Don’t be afraid to be frank.

Finally, never, and I mean never, infantilize me. I’m a 26 years old woman. I’m not a kid.I’m fine with my friends offering to help or making sure that I’m okay or so, but never assume that I don’t understand something and don’t force your help on me if I say that I’m okay.

That’s it, those who want to take part in this exercise, don’t hesitate!

[telekinsesis]

"🎭The Masked Autistic Quiz🎭

If you’ve spent your life ‘faking normal, you might not look autistic to the casual observer. So I’ve made a questionnaire that’s tailored to the masking autistic adult.

#ActuallyAutistic #AllAutistics"

1. Have you ever felt as if you were missing the built-in instruction manual that everyone else seemed to possess?

Yes. I had to slowly learn how basic things worked while others seemed to instinctively get it.

Did you spend an inordinate amount of time learning to copy the behavior of other kids so that they wouldn’t realize you were different?

Yes. I always just wanted to fit in and have friends and be liked, but I always felt different than them.

2. Are you able to make eye contact, but would much rather NOT make eye contact? Have you taught yourself to ‘cheat’ by looking between the eyes or at the eyebrow? Does eye contact make it harder to think clearly?

I can't handle eye contact for longer than a couple of seconds. Most of the time I find a way to avoid it, I can only remember doing it in stare contests with my sister or for comedic purposes.

3. When you’re alone do you make random noises or repeat interesting words to yourself? Do you move your hands or feet because staying still feels ‘wrong?’ Bonus points if you do this around other people.

I'm always shaking/bouncing my leg. Sometimes I hold my breath for no reason or find myself making involuntary noises with my throat. Every once in a while I also say random things.

4. Do people refer to you as a ’space cadet’ or a ‘day-dreamer’, even though those terms make no sense to you? Do you appreciate unusual things like constellations in the popcorn ceiling, tricks of light, numbers and textures?

I am always daydreaming or spacing out, I would be more called out for it as a teen than I am now. / I don't find those things unusual but I love noticing them and the little details about it, I do appreciate it.

5. Do your anxiety levels spike when there is a change of plans, or when somebody calls, rings a doorbell or sends an email/text? Do people perceive you as rude and antisocial for being unappreciative of their surprise attacks?

Yes, yes, yes. Unless it's someone I deeply trust (sometimes not even then though), sudden changes of plans or routine upset and stress the hell out of me. Phone calls can give me anxiety and sometimes I need a lot of time to reply to a simple text.

6. Do you have a hard time understanding why people feel the way they do without a personal point of reference? Are you able to relate much more once you’ve tied their experience to something that’s happened to you?

I can't remember or realize if I do, but I do know that I'm better at "empathizing (?)" when I relate to the situation in one way or another. My closest friends are people I share similar experiences/feelings with and we can get each other.

7. Do people jokingly call you ‘OCD’ for your organizational strategies or list making, even though there are perfectly rational reasons for your behavior? Does this ‘obsessive’ behavior also bring you a sense of calm and order when you’re allowed to see it though to completion?

Not really, but my sister who's a psychologist thinks I have "obsessive/compulsive traits" or whatever because of how often I wash my hands. I also enjoy organizing my saved files, even if it takes me hours, and feel much better when they are.

8. Do you have social anxiety, but only because you have a hefty track record of rejection due to missed social cues, difficulty navigating conversations and an inability to understand what other people are thinking?

I have been diagnosed with social and generalized anxiety but I don't know why, it's just my brain. I do remember it starting/getting worse when I got to high school, around the same time my depression kicked in.

9. Do you avoid places because of the overwhelming noise, visual clutter, bright lights or overwhelming smells? Do you avoid busy stores and do your shopping when things aren’t as busy?

I don't go out a lot overall, I like staying home better. I don't know the exact reason why and when I go out it's hardly ever to packed loud places because I'm very introverted, but I also hate when people talk too loudly 90% of the time.

10. Do you have a built-in ‘BS detector’ and despise playing along with things that infantilize you? Have people said you’re ‘not a team player’ for complaining about pointless gift exchanges or parties? Do you need to understand the purpose of a task?

Yes. I don't complain but I don't participate either, again, I'm very anxious and introverted so unless I feel comfortable with those people, I don't like socializing much. I don't remember ever doing tasks without purpose, I don't think they exist in the first place, everything has a purpose.

11. When you get happy and excited, do people say you’re ‘too much’ or tell you to calm down? Are you unusually animated when genuinely excited, yet find it hard to fake this enthusiasm on demand for others?

When I'm in a good mood, I'm in a good mood. When I was younger and participated in things I was passionate about I would get told to tone it down and be less "loud" or "annoying" because the way I expressed my excitement was too extra. I found it easier to blend in and calm myself externally after called out.

12. Do you feel so closely connected to your hobbies that you can blissfully engage in them for hours and have a hard time stopping for anything else? Does losing interest in them make you feel as if you’ve lost a part of yourself?

Yes, definitely, yes.

13. Is driving a stressful and exhausting experience for you? Do you tend to take the same familiar route every time and even go so far as to avoid stressful intersections and fast highways? Do you struggle making quick decisions behind the steering wheel?

I don't drive.

14. Do you feel as if you relate to animals more than other people? As a child, did you secretly suspect that you were from another planet or species than that of your classmates? When meeting someone similar to yourself, do you feel like you’re ‘home’, so to speak?

I relate more to cats than people I know. I still do, even though I rationally know it's impossible, kinda. It's not very often but yes.

15. Do you abhor the idea of making conversation with people who share nothing in common with you? Would you happily go out of your comfort zone to talk with others about a shared hobby or passion?

My classmates gave me anxiety but I would talk for hours with one of my sister's friends because she liked classic movies too.

16. Do people assume you’re angry at them when you’re not? Do you smile or laugh inappropriately, upsetting others? Have people told you that you have a ‘resting bitch face’?

I have been asked multiple times if I was okay or if I was sad when I was nothing of the sort, but maybe I was simply depressed? I remember laughing and then realizing it wasn't a good moment but I don't remember it happening a lot or why I did it.

17. Do you have an unusually monotonous or singsong voice? Do you have a hard time modulating your volume and speak with inappropriate volume for the situation?

I don't know, I don't think so but I constantly do get called out for not speaking clearly or mumbling or talking too low or fast even when I think I'm being clear or think it's possible to understand me regardless.

18. Have you purposely chosen interests that fly under the radar as ‘normal’, yet you still prefer to enjoy peripheral aspects of that interest, such as studying the stats of baseball players or making elaborate backstories for your Barbie dolls?

As a kid I would create novelas around my Barbie dolls, when I made pillow forts with my friends I would create dramatic/tragic stories and wanted to act them out with them. Currently I don't "choose" interests or care about how "normal" they appear, I'm just naturally invested in things.

19. Do you find it inordinately difficult to listen to someone when other people are talking? Do you have a hard time carrying on a conversation in a loud or crowded place?

I don't know but I don't think so, when a person is loud enough I can hear them over other noises, even if it's by a little. Again, I don't usually go to loud or crowded places so I can't remember.

20. Do emotions and sensory overload build up into a thunderstorm of rage that you have no choice but to ride out until it passes? This might be a meltdown. Alternately, does the buildup result in you retreating from the world and ‘zoning out’? This would be a ‘shutdown’.

Yes.

21. While not officially criteria, this is something that many autistics will relate to: Do gender, romantic and sexuality norms seem arbitrary and fake? Even if you don’t identify as LGBTQ+, do you hesitate when referring to yourself as cisgender or heterosexual?

I'm a lesbian that questions her sexuality at times and have no idea what my gender is, I just know I'm not cis.

22. Have you developed coping mechanisms such as lists, schedules, stacks of paper, alarms and reminders to help you function as an adult? Would you still be able to get by without them?

I'm currently not doing anything that requires me functioning like an adult and don't remember what I did when I had to but I would never be able to be an adult.

23. Do you go through periods where you can’t even remember how to make dinner or get ready for work, and even the easiest of tasks seem insurmountable because you can’t fathom completing the steps to completion?

I don't forget how to do things but I can forget to do them or it's almost impossible to bring myself to physically do them.

24. Do you find it easier to do things when they’re a passion or ‘special interest’? Were you good at cooking/gardening/organizing when it was interesting, but find it impossible to start once the passion has abandoned you?

Always. I have abandoned many projects once I lost interest even if I was somewhat good at it at the start.

25. Do you have a hard time recognizing or remembering faces? While not all autistics are ‘face blind’ many of us are.

I don't think there are many faces I need to recognize or remember, and I have a shitty memory anyway so I don't know.

26. Is keeping and maintaining relationships difficult for you, even if you’re loyal to them? Do you suddenly remember a good friend or relative that you literally forgot about for months or years? Is it hard to initiate conversations without a prompt, even with friends?

Yes. If I'm close and trust them, it's not hard to text them first but I don't always know what to exactly say or talk about.

27. Lastly, do you get emotional and feel ‘seen’ when reading the above tweets and other content by autistics? There might be a reason for that.

I do some and most times, but I don't wanna assume things.

[comfortmarvelimagines]

if i self diagnose as autistic does it make me less valid? like i know what autism is and i know i fall into the ‘stereotypical behavioural traits’. i’ve always had a hard time doing anything new (meeting people, school etc) or really anything to do with crowds and outside, i cant stand being around people and the outside world for long. i’m sarcastic but i never get it when my friendship use it. sometimes i’ll (and i don’t have to be overwhelmed), cant stand certain sights, sounds, smells etc.

hey ! this is an interesting question. before i get into things though, i do wanna say that i’m not a professional on autism in any capacity, nor am i a gatekeeper of autism (idk how else to word that), nor do i speak for every autistic person. i’m just one autistic person, with one set of experiences. 

that being said, i do have experience w the concept of self dx. i wasn’t diagnosed until i was an adult (i’m 19 in i think two? weeks). obviously, my autistic-ness didn’t cease to exist just because i didn’t have access to the medical resources to put a name to what was up with my brain. it made my childhood really confusing; whilst my mum absolutely knew, and was in denial about it, i was struggling to try and keep up with social expectations, learning to communicate on a nt level and hiding any and all evidence of neurodivergency (including, but not limited to, meltdowns, shutdowns, overstim, stimming, my stutter). without going too much into it, i do believe that having a dx earlier would’ve saved me a lot of pain trying to figure out what was ‘wrong’ with me. 

so, i get it. i really do. had i known about autism earlier, and seriously looked into it, i think i would’ve saved myself at least some hurt. funnily enough, people have always asked if i’m autistic, since i was little, and i’d always have to tell them no simply because i had no proof. before i actually researched and learned what autism was, i took it as an insult, that i hadnt tried hard enough to be ‘normal’. obviously, i don’t know you and your situation and i can’t diagnose you, but i do think that if self dxing would help you out in those sorts of situations, maybe it’s an option. definitely not a decision i’d take lightly, but it is an option. 

you know you. you know your body, you know your brain. going off this ask, you also know what autism is. professional dx isn’t an option for a lot of people, and its honestly straight up luck that presented itself as an option for me. having a professional dx doesn’t make you more or less valid- i know for me, i wasn’t less autistic without a dx, and i’m not more autistic with one. 

the one exception i will say when self dxing is to disclose the fact when dealing with medical professionals. it means that you’re able to explain what you’re having difficulties without contradicting your existing medical records. other than that, its a matter of personal judgement. i can see how using a self dx as explanation to strangers, friends or even educational staff can be useful as a guide for how to best accomodate you and your needs. i can absolutely understand how a self dx can answer a lot of questions about yourself (and, if you’re anything like i was, save you a bunch of self loathing). 

all in all, validity is a weird concept, especially when equitable access to medical care isn’t a thing. i, for one,  support you in however you choose to navigate this situation, and wish you the best of luck. brains are hard, autism is hard, accessing services is hard, navigating communities is hard. whatever happens, though, you got this :)

[strangerdarkerbetter]

Plastic art or music? Greek or Nordic mythology? Jumping or running? Lots of Windows or lots of doors? Anime or manga? Yellow or Green? Hat r sunglasses? Piercings or tattoos?

Music- music is fundamental to my being. I grew up surrounded by music. 

I started singing in choir when I was three. At seven, I began to learn piano and music theory. 

By high school, I could play piano, flute, piccolo, clarinet, and hand bells as well as belonging to multiple choral groups. 

In high school, I managed to get into my school’s highly competitive Select Choir which admitted only 20 people (for reference, the Chorale had ~150 students and there were another 50 each in the Freshman and Sophmore Girls Choirs. I went to a school of about 4000). 

(the test to get in was ridiculous! we were all handed a piece of obscure sheet music and given the starting note and 20 minutes. We had to teach ourselves about half a page in those 20 minutes and then the music was taken away. We then each led in one by one. Upon entering the audition space, we were given back the music, the starting note was played once more, and we had to sing what we had learned. Each incorrect pitch and each incorrect rhythm were 1 point. The 5 people in each voice part with the lowest scores were admitted. The lowest I ever managed to get was 5, though one of the guys in choir with me once got 0. He went on to Julliard after he graduated)

As a part of this group, I had the opportunity to perform as part of a choir of 400 students from across the country before an audience of over 10,000 that included the President for the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown. 

Up until my senior year of high school, I actually intended to major in music. I ended up going in other directions due to my AP Music Theory class. A big part of the class was being able to identify things by ear and my, at the time, undiagnosed auditory processing issues made this really hard for me. I struggled to identify more complex intervals and chords (like, minor 7th, tritone, etc.). I ended up opting not to take the AP test because I didn’t want my parents to waste money on a test I thought I would fail. Then, when we started doing practice exams in class, I ended up getting 5s every time...

But, anyway, while I’ve fallen out of practice with the various instruments I know, I still sing daily. Sean and I often belt along to music in the car which is absolutely wonderful. 

Music has been my saving grace at many times throughout my life. There are songs that have carried me through dark places and songs that shown me beauty and songs that have taught me and so much more. Several of my tattoos are based on song lyrics. 

During college, when I would shutdown/go nonverbal, at a time when I didn’t understand what was happening, Sean would use music to help guide my emotions and bring me back to a place where I could talk about what was upsetting me. 

Music is actually what brought Sean and I together. It was our connection over an obscure band we had both grown up with and loved that sparked everything that was to come. 

Nordic - I have an Yggdrasil tattoo....

Both?- this one is tough for me. I really miss being able to run without shittons of pain afterwards and/or dislocations. Back when I was more physically able, I would often run when I got overloaded in an attempt to flee all the bad feels. Sometimes, just the act of running in itself was enough to calm me down. 

Just a few months into knowing Sean, I had a meltdown and I ran. My legs carried me across campus to the pond with the willows that had led me to choose this school in the first place. I found a rock hidden within some small trees and I crawled inside to hide myself. Sean searched campus until he was able to find me and make sure I was safe. He helped me calm down and recover before helping me get back to our dorm. It was one of the first times I realized how much he cared. 

But, I also love to jump, though that’s now hard as well. Due to being a massive klutz, I wasn’t allowed anywhere near a trampoline growing up, so it wasn’t until I was an adult that I discovered that true joys of jumping. 

One of the houses we lived in had a trampoline that had been left behind by the previous tenants/our friend/our nextdoor neighbor. I jumped on that trampoline (or jumpoline as my niblings call it) nearly every day because it was just so stimmy

So, yeah, I can’t choose. 

Lots of Windows- I want to be able to look out into the beauty of nature. I want to watch the chipmunks and squirrels scurry around. I want to be able to look out upon my gardens. I want to be able to fill my home with warm sunlight. I want to open the windows to breathe life throughout. 

Thankfully, my new home has lots of windows =)

Neither- I’m not really into manga or anime

Green- as a kid, my favorite color was yellow. For awhile, my whole bedroom was yellow, even the loft bed my dad had built for me. 

My color preferences have shifted over time. I don’t necessarily have a favorite, but green is one of the colors I love. I love being surrounded by the many greens of nature, come to life after her slumber. 

Sunglasses- I’m not really a fan of hats. I don’t wear my sunglasses often (since I never remember to bring them with me) but I definitely should be wearing them more.

Tattoos- While I enjoy both piercings and tattoos, I definitely prefer tattoos. I currently have 15. 

-Sabrina 

[bisoras]

hope estheim is autistic + why

so i’ve mentioned a few times now that i hc hope as Super Autistic and every time i do i get someone asking why i think so and this is basically my long answer why

source(s): i am autistic and i research asd a lot because i like knowing why i am the way i am

hope is easily overwhelmed and prone to shutdowns and meltdowns. becoming overwhelmed isn’t inherently an Autistic Thing, but an inability to properly or effectively cope with stressors as they continue to bombard us is. in hope’s case, his vacation is suddenly turned into a quarantine, he’s told he’s getting relocated to “hell on earth” before moving into a warzone, his mother is killed in front of him, he has to partner up with the man he deems his mother’s murderer, he’s turned into a pulse l’cie doomed no matter how he looks at it – everything is going and going (and going and going) and it never stops, but it’s not like he can just take a breather and step away from it all. instead, he clams up and retreats into himself, and when that stops working he snaps and falls into meltdown territory.

he has a need for order and routine. hope looks to lightning for structure and guidance because she seems to have the most solid grip on… whatever the h*ck they’re doing. she may not have all the details mapped out, but she knows what she wants to accomplish (avenge serah, destroy eden). it helps that, as a soldier, she has the training that makes it possible for her to do what she needs to do. she shows hope the ropes, and there isn’t a lot of room for him to doubt her directives because, as a soldier, she knows how to be clear and concise in her orders. for someone on the spectrum whose life was just turned upside down and all around, that’s important because a lot of us need order. spontaneity is the last thing many of us need and it sure as hell won’t ease our anxiety if our routine is blown off track. 

(she also knows how important it is to keep them both busy so they don’t have time to think, because if they stop to think about their situation they will undo themselves. it’s not exactly a healthy coping mechanism for becoming overwhelmed, but keeping busy is definitely a coping mechanism to prevent meltdowns and shutdowns.)

he often misreads and misunderstands situations. hope is prone to taking situations and blowing them way out of proportion. case in point, he sees his mother and snow dangling from a ledge, sees her slip out of snow’s grip, and then runs with the idea for the next half of the game that snow is her murderer and it’s his fault she’s dead. it never failed to infuriate me every time i played the game, and i know it frustrates a lot of others, too. i just couldn’t understand how he could come to that conclusion. from the “hope is autistic!” perspective, though, it honestly makes such a difference because if he does have a developmental disorder, he is going to process these situations differently, especially one so traumatic as watching his mother die in front of him in the middle of a warzone. though, yes, even hope himself realizes later that he knew it was unreasonable to blame snow for her murder; he just needed something to keep him going, which brings me to my next point:

operation nora is his his temporary special interest. SpIns are not always healthy nor are they always positive, and hope’s obsession with getting revenge on snow is literally all-consuming in its intensity which 100% puts in the special interest range. he dedicates his every waking second up until his and snow’s confrontation in palumpolum to planning and preparing for how he’s going to avenge his mother. interestingly enough, after their confrontation and after they finally make it to gran pulse, when alexander shows up it’s revealed that hope feels hopeless and lost without his drive to killing snow to keep him going. losing such an intense special interest so suddenly can absolutely do that to someone on the spectrum.

he has trouble communicating his thoughts, and when he speaks he often does so bluntly. he stumbles over his words a lot in the first part of the game. it’s almost like he can’t quite figure out the best way to use his words, which is personally something i’ve always struggled with. not only does he have difficulty finding the appropriate words, but he’s also prone to verbal outbursts. sometimes what he says, though he does ultimately mean what he says, is not quite how he means to say them and he inadvertently offends those around him… which is usually vanille, as she’s the only person in the party to really take much offense to anything. honestly that’s why i think his inability to properly communicate his thoughts is so telling of his autism, because vanille is the person he first clings to after his mother’s death and it just doesn’t make sense otherwise for him to want to hurt her in any way unless it’s via an accidental outburst because he’s frustrated his words won’t come out right.

it takes him nearly half the game for him to form any true relationships with the game party. (if it weren’t obvious, i mean “relationship” in the platonic/familial sense, not the romantic sense.) this is sort of the culmination/end result of everything above, but also a separate entity of its own. he looks up to vanille as a pseudo-maternal figure after his mother dies and to lightning as a mentor and teacher first before he begins to consider either of them friends. he’s so consumed by his hatred of snow that, until he properly copes with his mother’s death, he doesn’t even contemplate the idea of snow becoming a friend. sazh begins as sort of a weird, lazy uncle to hope before he becomes the friendly father figure he ultimately becomes to the group. and i still stand by my own personal hc that fang, frankly, terrifies hope before she faces bahamut and begins opening up to the group beyond vanille and lightning.

hope has a lasting special interest in history. other than sazh – who was brushed up on a lot of their history by the sanctum after dajh was turned into a l’cie – hope is the only person who seems to know a weird amount of fal’cie and l’cie lore, at least where cocoon history is concerned. he also knows more history regarding the war of transgression than either lightning or snow, and yet he’s fourteen years old. yes, it could be argued that he was literally still in school while the other two had been out for a few years at least, but i’m led to believe the war of transgression was a notable to them as either of the world wars were for us today. there was the basic knowledge everyone knew because of its infamy, but hope still knew so much more than anyone else.

(i’m also of the opinion that his original special interest in history in the first game becomes a joint special interest in history and science which is much more pronounced in xiii-2. after lightning, snow, sazh, dajh, serah, and then noel disappear, hope is left alone to figure out what the fuck just happened to everyone he knew and spent so much time with. he buries himself in his studies: in history because he knows the timeline has been altered and he wants to figure out where and when, and in science because he knows if he has any chance of helping serah and noel fix the timeline he has to invent his own way to do it. he becomes the director of academia at nineteen (19!!!) years old and if that isn’t telling of a special interest, i don’t know what is.)

also, hope stims!!!! yes, he’s a video game character and every single video game character has their own idle movements, but he’s one of the only ones who rocks back and forth and fidgets with his fingers.

[creacherkeeper]

okay so i’ve seen some people saying, wrt what we learned last episode, that fitz wasnt actually smart as a kid, and that he became smart (’smart’ here being used to refer to the kind of smarts that fitz is good at) in order to be good enough for his father, to prove his father wrong, ect ect 

but consider: 

with hard work, one can definitely expand the amount of knowledge one has and be better at school, to an extent, but one doesnt really just work oneself to the level of genius intellect that fitz is. thats usually something youre born with 

consider instead: 

fitz is autistic 

autistic children develop at different rates than neurotypical children do. this can make us seem like we are less smart than other children, when in reality we just are developing at a different pace, hitting the usual developmental checkmarks at later times and in different orders 

fitz very well could’ve been nonverbal or partially verbal as a (young) child

when he did talk, he very well could have spoken mostly about his special interest (monkeys) because many autistic children socialize and learn about the world through their special interests

if he played pretend (some autistic children do not, or it’s not as obvious), he couldve done so in a way that also focused on monkeys, like imitate their behavior 

fitz already shows asymmetrical motor skills, this may have been even more apparent as a child. this mightve meant he was bad at sports, or moved awkwardly 

fitz probably had meltdowns and shutdowns in response to his father’s abuse as well as his environment 

the emotional dysregulation he shows in the show may have been harder for him to control as a child 

to add to that, autistic children can be more sensitive to certain kinds of abuse than other children are, and be affected in different ways. fitz may have been much more withdrawn and/or much more reactive around his father than he was with his mother. basically he could very well have acted “more autistic” around his dad 

fitz gets very stimmy in response to stress, i imagine he did as a child as well (stimming, especially certain kinds of stims like flapping, headbanging, and rocking, is incorrectly associated with lower intellect) 

all of this may have made it seem like fitz was not a smart kid even if he was born with the potential for a genius level intellect. and, whether or not he had a diagnosis and whether or not his father knew about it, autistic children are often valued less than other children and seen as worthless (which is what his father used to call him) 

in sum:

fitz is autistic 

this affected how his father saw and treated him 

protect baby autistic fitz 2k17

[weightlossfitness2]

The Real Reason You Should Fast for the Holidays

“It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking than it is to think yourself into a new way of acting.”

– Millard Fuller

  Fasting is all the fashion proper now. Depending on who you hearken to it’s both an over-hyped waste of time or the fountain of youth, able to reworking your physique and activating latent spidey-senses. Those within the pro-fasting camp cite a myriad of advantages—weight reduction, elevated insulin sensitivity, development of stem cells, illness prevention, and world peace.

    As a lot as I’d wish to provide the definitive fasting interpretation, the perfect I can supply is that it might need well being advantages. And whereas I can’t let you know with authority that fasting will do X or Y, I can attest to how invaluable fasting has been in my very own private growth. In this age of mass consumption, willingly doing the other is transformative.

  Fasting modifications your relationship with meals. This has been my very own expertise in addition to the recurring opinion of the chums, kin, and colleagues I’ve talked to over time. But what does it imply to have your relationship with meals change?

  It isn’t like anybody is altering their relationship standing to: It’s Complicated-with Food. What is the connection with meals within the first place? The finest method to clarify that is with my very own expertise.

  The Diary Of Hungry Kid

For most of my life, I used to be praised for my urge for food. I appreciated practically each meals and I had a voracious urge for food. This was pleasing to my mother and father, who appreciated that I wasn’t a choosy eater like my older brother, and to most grownup male figures.

  Anytime I’d go to associates or kin I’d be lauded for the spectacular quantity of meals I may eat. This turned some extent of pleasure that went hand in hand with my different main supply of significance—pure power.

  When I obtained to highschool and have become dedicated to getting stronger for athletics, I used to be offered the assumption that each one I needed to do was carry exhausting and “eat everything that isn’t nailed down.” Eating extra turned a testomony to my dedication and I had no motive to imagine there was any drawback with this easy worldview. Blessed with a speedy metabolism, I broke high-school lifting information whereas sustaining pace and athleticism.

  After sports activities, I channeled my want for competitors and significance into muscle-building. If I wasn’t going to be often called Shane the soccer participant, I’d be Shane the strongest trying dude within the room.

  This led me to a number of supersets, mirror-staring, protein shakes, and meals. I dedicated to consuming each three hours and would develop anxious for my subsequent feeding by the two-hour mark. I purchased into all of the get-swole adages, ensuring that I entered the gymnasium with meals in my system and that I ate a big, carb-heavy meal inside 30-minutes of leaving.

  I turned satisfied that if I had been to go greater than 5 – 6 waking hours with out meals my blood sugar would crash and I’d be bodily incapacitated. A way of panic crept in across the four-hour mark and I’d develop into an plain jerk. These patterns took form close to the time of my challenges with OCD and it’s clear upon reflection that I used to be utilizing consuming as an try to pacify my anxiousness.

    As I started my grownup life, I constructed clear consuming habits however continued to eat a ton. I started exercising twice per day so I may eat extra. I turned obsessive about my have to refill. Anywhere I went, I’d have a bag of snacks on me to forestall a meltdown. To my reminiscence, I made it by way of the whole first 26 years of my life with out lacking a meal.

  Then, a while within the again half of my 20’s, I heard sufficient about intermittent fasting that I thought-about making an attempt it. I used to be married now, much less involved about trying just like the strongest man within the room and changing into rather more involved about enhancing myself.

  I’d begun meditating and, regardless of my CSCS-Joe Kenn background, I grew fascinated by Pavel, Max Shank, the kettlebell, and the MovNat world. I learn the books Tribe and Natural Born Heroes. As a former historical past main, these resonated with me and instantly the way in which I noticed humanity and the human physique started to shift.

  We are adaptable beasts. The causes of mass psychological and bodily dysfunction stemmed from falling away from our pure dwelling patterns. It was now not regular to maneuver naturally, work for the tribe, eat actual meals, expose ourselves to the weather, or expertise prolonged bouts of starvation. By shutting myself off from these experiences I used to be reinforcing my very own fragility whereas shutting myself off from private development.

  By this level, I used to be about 215 kilos of largely lean muscle, and I used to be nonetheless consuming the next menu every day:

  Breakfast – massive omelet and fruit

Snack – too many combined nuts

Lunch – three or 4 items of meat (sure, I had an issue), combined greens, an apple

Post-Workout Snack

Dinner

A sporadic snack earlier than mattress – fruit, a scoop of pure peanut butter, and many others.

  The Insights Born of Deprivation

I set my first 16-hour quick for a busy Wednesday morning, figuring that if it grew insufferable I’d haven’t any possibility however to intestine by way of it. I completed dinner at 5:30 pm on Tuesday and didn’t eat till 9:30 am the following day.

  To my shock, it was not that tough. The bodily shutdown I’d predicted by no means got here. In truth, I felt good proper as much as the time I started consuming. All without delay, that perception that I needed to pacify each starvation pang or got here crumbling down. Hunger didn’t simply enhance steadily till I used to be rolling on the ground in agony. Hunger got here and went, oscillating up and down with none obvious trigger. The entire factor simply amazed me.

  I instantly started working these fasts right into a weekly construction with 16-17 hour fasts each Saturday and Sunday and a much bigger 19 hour quick each Wednesday. When I obtained children, I needed to have a household breakfast on the weekends so I removed the weekend fasts however saved fasting each Wednesday.

  Every at times I stretch this to 24 hours. Whether the fasts create superpowers or not is admittedly not the purpose. The actual energy of those fasts is how they’ve modified my relationship with meals and the way in which I reply to starvation.

  Shortly after that first quick, I removed all snacking. Not rigidly so. If my spouse needs popcorn whereas we watch a film, we’ve got popcorn. But for probably the most half, I don’t eat something however three meals per day, two if I’m intermittent fasting. It appears apparent to me now, that that is a lot.

  I shifted my exercises to the morning and I’ve discovered that I want to exercise in a fasted state. So now, on a typical day, I end dinner by 6 pm, I get up early to put in writing, exercise round 7 am, after which eat round eight:30 am.

  Without making an attempt to I fell right into a day by day construction the place nearly on daily basis incorporates a 14-15 hour break between meals. I’ve additionally reduce down the quantity of meat that I eat every day, significantly. Without having ever apprehensive about weight, I’m now anyplace between 195 and 200 kilos, a lot sturdy and with higher vitality than ever.

  My spouse has additionally match fasts into her schedule on and off for the previous few years. After a break she began once more just lately, and her remark appears to summarize the advantages of fasting finest: “It’s good for me because it changes my relationship with food. I feel less need to snack. Like, I’m good. I don’t need to eat every time I think I’m getting hungry.”

  Courtesy of Ted Naiman, MD, h/t PD Morgan

  That’s it. Sometimes we’re bored and meals looks like a great way to fill the area. Sometimes we’re really thirsty. Particularly in a world programmed for consumption, including slightly extra boundary to our consumption isn’t a foul follow. And that’s the true motive to quick every so often—as a result of you’re a human and never feeling able to going with out meals for a bit marks a drastic departure from fundamental human capabilities.

  Fasting For The Holidays

  “A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.”

Henry David Thoreau

  So a lot of the health world exists to counteract overconsumption. Consumerism is fueled by a system the place we’re at all times reminded of what we’re lacking after which pointed to one thing that’s presupposed to fill that void.

  Food and the engineering of cravings is an apparent instance. Yet, issues are hardly ever the answer to our issues. The change we’re in search of doesn’t come from including the issues we predict we want. In truth, it’s simply the other.

  We are happier once we are much less depending on exterior circumstances being good. We are happier once we want much less. That is why the rich, Stoic thinker, Seneca, recommended a month-to-month follow of self-denial. As he frames it, simply as troopers prepare throughout occasions of peace and prosperity, we should always prepare ourselves amid occasions of abundance. Well, the abundance is right here and it isn’t going anyplace.

  We’ve at all times recognized we wanted to coach. We shall be happier if we’re lively and wholesome, however this solely occurs once we flex our muscle groups and problem our our bodies on a constant foundation. In the identical means, we will construction different challenges to carry us in the direction of gradual development.

  At IHD, our Pillar Experience Calendars, are a structured methodology of pulling your self in the direction of experiences like fasting that develop your capacity to thrive by way of a problem. Each month calls you to a bunch lesson and a problem that can develop willpower and instill wholesome values. You’ll be doing these alongside a neighborhood that may share the knowledge of their very own expertise and helps one another in more healthy dwelling. This appears particularly essential in the course of the holidays.

  I like the cheer and custom of December but it surely additionally appears to be an exaggeration of some cultural patterns which might be already uncontrolled. Thus, I assumed it was the proper month to stretch myself by doubling my previous document for time with out meals.

  This month I’m going to go for 48 hours with solely water. I wouldn’t begin right here should you don’t have a lot expertise, however I do encourage you to contemplate an intermittent quick this December—possibly that’s simply skipping breakfast in the future.

  It is an expertise frequent to humankind and one that may enrich the remainder of your holidays. After all, the pleasures of life are at all times a lot sweeter after a little bit of wrestle.

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