Back in 2003, Christine Miserandino came up with the Spoon Theory to explain what living with a chronic illness is like. Since then, it's also been applied to neurodiverse people. Basically, spoons represent the energy—whether physical, mental, or emotional—that we have available at any moment. At any time, I might have ten spoons, but if I'm feeling mentally or emotionally drained, that can quickly drop to just one or two spoons. This has shown me how to respect my boundarie

Feeling Empowered in My Health Journey Now that I've been diagnosed with ACC and ASD, going to the doctor for my physical needs is way better. Before I knew what was going on, I never really got around to asking questions about my health or working well with the medical system. It was like I was just floating through appointments, not really sure what to ask or how to express my concerns. But now that I know what's going on, I feel so much more empowered! I've taken the time

Remember Bill Murray in Groundhog Day? Well for me I wish everyday were Groundhog Day. I've reached a stage in life where sticking to the same foods, activities, and experiences feels comforting. If I want to try something new, I need to give myself at least a week's heads-up. It's just that neurodivergent resistance to change kicking in. I used to think this was a limitation for me; rather it is the boundaries I have created for my own protection. I hit the sack right at 8:5

You know, sometimes I find myself in this weird position where I feel like I have to justify my lifestyle choices, especially when I’m looking at folks who are neurotypical. It’s like, why do I even bother? Honestly, trying to explain myself usually ends up doing more harm than good. This whole thing really hits home when it comes to work and jobs. Growing up, I was always told that the secret to success was simple: just "get a job and work hard." Sounds easy enough, right? W

Literal thinking is when people understand words, questions, and instructions exactly as they're said, without considering any hidden or implied meanings. It is a common way It's raining cats and dogs many neurodiverse individuals think. Once we get the context it can be easier to understand the figurative meaning of things. With ACC, things like sarcasm, idioms, and metaphors need a bit more social or cultural understanding, which can sometimes leave us puzzled or slow us do

One of the most frustrating things I've come across as someone on the autism spectrum, , is when people casually say, "but you look normal," or brush it off with, "everyone is a little autistic." These comments, even if meant to be nice or supportive, can really hurt because they show a big misunderstanding about what it's like to live with invisible disabilities. Invisible disabilities like autism and DCCs aren't obvious at first glance. They're beneath the surface, which of

This is a tough post for me to write because I've always struggled with being super critical of myself and dealing with issues related to my mental health. It's been a long, hard journey with lots of ups and downs that have really left their mark on me. I went through years of being misdiagnosed, which just made things more frustrating, like I was stuck in a fog, trying to find some clarity but only getting more confused. Spending time in mental health wards took a toll on me

The Positives Social media definitely has its upsides, right? I mean, it's like this magical portal where I can connect with people who totally understand me and see a wild mix of opinions that I might never encounter in my everyday life. Seriously, I can soak up so much knowledge just by typing away at my keyboard, and it’s pretty awesome! Plus, there’s something so satisfying about expressing myself and getting creative with what I share. And let’s not overlook the practica

Journey to Self-Discovery: Navigating Adulthood and Personal Responsibility Maturity didn’t come easy for me. When I turned 18, I got kicked out of the house, but honestly, I wasn’t ready to take care of myself at all. There’s this saying about DCCs that you should “expect their teens in their twenties.” For me, it was more like my thirties, but whatever… My parents even gave me a big chunk of cash to help me 'settle down, get a job, and face the 'real' world.' At the time, I

I found out about masking just a few years back. It totally took over my personality and is a huge source of anxiety for me. Masking is when someone, either on purpose or without even realizing it, hides their neurodivergent traits. This could mean covering up things like feeling overwhelmed by sensory stuff, trying hard to make eye contact, or even planning out what to say in conversations. It’s all about trying to fit in and look like everyone else to meet what society expe