I'm not on the spectrum, but can definitely relate to the exhaustion in passing for normal, pretending not to notice the ghastly lighting in indoor spaces, the horrible noises and smells, and the whole heads-down, compliant with empire behavior that most humans practice. Now that I'm retired, I can take a day off when I need to, not from specific toxic people, but from the whole maladaptive paradigm. Thank you for explaining this so well.
I think most people don't really notice things like that anymore. It's just normal. Some people are astounded when I tell them that I have difficulty grocery shopping on my own, because the constant motion, the lights, the noise, the bright endless lines of different packaging and so on can send me into overload.
I need somebody to literally guide me out because my brain just can't process it all, and I will shut down.
It's easy to take for granted that it's all a normal part of life because they don't experience that, so it doesn't occur to them. I can definitely relate to needing a break from it all!
And if there is good news in this, we probably have less exposure to the toxic chemicals and vibrations that prop up the modern world, and won't miss them when they are gone.
A damn good article Sam. When I was younger I went for the 'don't have friends' option and looked for jobs where I could work on my own without people being around me which was a solution of a kind. People butting in and asking questions do not go well with being hyperfocused when I'm working .
Studying to be a social worker after my marriage from hell crashed and burned was somewhat of a trial, but working in the disability sector and then the adult mental health service more than made up for it. I had to take early retirement due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome catching hold of me and then I got the, 'What's wrong with you, - you look fine to me', comments from ignorant wobblegobbers when they discovered I was on an Invalids Benefit.
When I developed type 1 narcolepsy you would not believe the amount of useless advice I received on how to 'fix' what is an incurable illness. By the way I get what you said about bright lights/colours, flashing lights and sudden noises as narcoleptics are affected by those as well.
Heck, write as many essays here as you like! S'what the comment section is for!
And yeah, gods. I get unsolicited advice all the time. Usually, it's about how I could fix my insomnia...I've tried literally everything anyone has ever suggested. It doesn't work, because as a doctor told me, it's just a side effect of being autistic.
You can't cure autism with vitamins and being rigid about the hour you go to bed. It doesn't work that way. My brain is my brain; it's gonna do what it's gonna do, I just have to adjust to it.
It's unbelievably frustrating! I know people mean well, so I try not to snap, but it's hard some days.
I'm not on the spectrum, but can definitely relate to the exhaustion in passing for normal, pretending not to notice the ghastly lighting in indoor spaces, the horrible noises and smells, and the whole heads-down, compliant with empire behavior that most humans practice. Now that I'm retired, I can take a day off when I need to, not from specific toxic people, but from the whole maladaptive paradigm. Thank you for explaining this so well.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
I think most people don't really notice things like that anymore. It's just normal. Some people are astounded when I tell them that I have difficulty grocery shopping on my own, because the constant motion, the lights, the noise, the bright endless lines of different packaging and so on can send me into overload.
I need somebody to literally guide me out because my brain just can't process it all, and I will shut down.
It's easy to take for granted that it's all a normal part of life because they don't experience that, so it doesn't occur to them. I can definitely relate to needing a break from it all!
And if there is good news in this, we probably have less exposure to the toxic chemicals and vibrations that prop up the modern world, and won't miss them when they are gone.
A damn good article Sam. When I was younger I went for the 'don't have friends' option and looked for jobs where I could work on my own without people being around me which was a solution of a kind. People butting in and asking questions do not go well with being hyperfocused when I'm working .
Studying to be a social worker after my marriage from hell crashed and burned was somewhat of a trial, but working in the disability sector and then the adult mental health service more than made up for it. I had to take early retirement due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome catching hold of me and then I got the, 'What's wrong with you, - you look fine to me', comments from ignorant wobblegobbers when they discovered I was on an Invalids Benefit.
When I developed type 1 narcolepsy you would not believe the amount of useless advice I received on how to 'fix' what is an incurable illness. By the way I get what you said about bright lights/colours, flashing lights and sudden noises as narcoleptics are affected by those as well.
Sorry Sam, - I didn't mean to write an essay
Heck, write as many essays here as you like! S'what the comment section is for!
And yeah, gods. I get unsolicited advice all the time. Usually, it's about how I could fix my insomnia...I've tried literally everything anyone has ever suggested. It doesn't work, because as a doctor told me, it's just a side effect of being autistic.
You can't cure autism with vitamins and being rigid about the hour you go to bed. It doesn't work that way. My brain is my brain; it's gonna do what it's gonna do, I just have to adjust to it.
It's unbelievably frustrating! I know people mean well, so I try not to snap, but it's hard some days.