Living on the Spectrum

It’s been three years since I spent a little over two weeks in two different behavioral health hospitals. I’m so grateful that I’m farther along on the journey to being healed and whole than I was back then. I’ve been thinking about the advice I’d give to myself and my family members with everything I…

Change has always been hard for me. I remember when my mom had the kitchen redone when I was in middle school and we had to use a neighbor’s kitchen to make meals. One night, after we went out to eat because our kitchen was a demolition zone, I just cried. I wanted to go…

I went on my first date after being in a relationship for a year and it wasn’t as intimidating as I thought it would be. It helped that the guy asked me out and I didn’t have to plan a date. I was surprised when he did ask me out because we hadn’t chatted that…

This is going to be a post where I’m going to be talking about my experience with physical intimacy relating to my ASD. If you are family or a close friend and do not want to know more, I advise you read no further. Those of you who are interested, feel free to continue reading.…

I was talking to a friend last night and he compared dating to a foreign country where he didn’t understand the customs. I’ve been thinking a lot about how being on the spectrum has impacted my confidence when it comes to dating, especially as I’m re-entering the online dating sphere after a year of being…

I’ve been learning a lot lately regarding facing head-on the things that intimidate me. I’ve realized that fearing conflict and difficult conversations suck more joy out of my life than actually having the difficult conversation.  I’d say the most difficult thing I’ve done lately is re-entering the online dating world. I took some time to…

I’ve long heard the saying when one door closes, another opens. I prefer the saying that when a door closes, there’s a window open somewhere. Several seasons of life are coming to an end. The first is that I’m going to be moving out in a few months after having lived at home for three…

I recently had my first professional review after being at my current job for a year. This was a new experience for me and I’d like to give a few tips that I’ve discovered having gone through the process recently.  Understanding the performance metrics is key. When I was hired, I immediately asked for a…

This past weekend I attended the Southeastern Conference for Adults with Autism in Chattanooga, Tennessee. My parents attended a few years ago when I was in the hospital. I was excited about the community and the learning I would experience. I left Friday after work and drove two hours to Ocoee, Tennessee. I drove past…

Music has helped me throughout my life put words to emotions that I have a hard time describing. When I think about the music that’s led me through difficult seasons of life, there are so many musicals and artists.  Hamilton came into my life a year after I’d started college. I couldn’t afford to see…