Daily writing prompt
What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?
Gentle reader, today I will introduce you to autistic burnout.
Here's a definition I like: "'Autistic burnout' is the intense physical, mental or emotional exhaustion, often accompanied by a loss of skills, that some adults with autism experience. Many autistic people say it results mainly from the cumulative effect of having to navigate a world that is designed for neurotypical people." Sarah Deweerdt
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I am tired all the time. I'm not feeling rested after sleeping, and I'm not sleeping well. I become overwhelmed with the things that need to get done but I don't have the energy to do them. Whenever I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel, turns out it's a train headed toward me.
I've been in this space before and thought it was either exhaustion or depression. In the past autistic fatigue has led to depression because I didn't know what it was and kept pushing forward until I couldn't, while my critical self kept telling me there was nothing wrong with me and I needed to quit being lazy.
Now that I know what I'm dealing with, I'm developing a plan of recovery. I have to work, but I don't need to mask. I stopped listening to public radio as much. I enjoy it, but it can be stressful for me. I don't have to spend so much time on social media. I deleted the Facebook pages and logged out of Threads and Instagram on my phone. I don't know either password so that'll keep me off those sites. I considered deleting the blog too but I feel I get a lot out of this. I may not post as often, but for now I'll still post.
Obligatory cat photo
When something comes up and I feel I have to deal with it right away, I stop and think it through. Do I need to deal with this today? I consider all my options instead of acting on the first thing that comes up. It helps keep me grounded and not spending as much money, which means I don't have to do as much gig work.
I'll see how this goes and adjust as needed.
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