It is strange for someone to want to correct the way I self-identify.
But I could feel she was trying to do it from a place of kindness. But she was also approaching it from a place of “autism is a disorder”, which I don’t actually believe. Which is why I say Autistic or Austist.
Because I believe that we are an important part of the ecosystem. That we all of us are. But at some point the world stopped making spaces for the autistic, the adhd crew, the mad, the disabled…we have all of us, always been here. The world isn’t made for us. But we are important pieces of the puzzle, and I want to keep making spaces where we are valued, loved, celebrated. Where if we want to contribute, we can, but if we need to rest, we can do that too.
But yeah. I really feel a lot of feelings when someone tells me I can’t call myself the things that feel good to me. I, too, let people tell me how they self describe. If you tell me who you are, I’ll listen, and I will honour that trust.
Thank you for this. We went away for 4 glorious days with no media and only nature. It was so rejuvenating. Unfortunately, a greyhound puppy decided it was important to kiss my face, so I now have a black eye! Also, my son and family are coming for their yearly visit later this week but they were just exposed to Covid. I am glad I had the downtime to de-stress so I can handle these other issues. If I see you this week, we can share hugs
Maybe because it's 2 am and I'm overly emotional at this hour, or I'm in some sentimental mood, but this brought me to tears. This was so beautifully written and your experiences so real that I feel I have known you all my love (it's definitely 2am hours). If there's one thing I learned, then there really is some place over the rainbow where blue birds fly, once you get past the tears. Thank you for sharing :)
I’m so glad you found my writing at 2am. Often the things I read in the middle of the night are the things that resound most with my heart, and when I’m most open. Thank you for sharing how this affected you. I had to go back and read it because I wrote it right after the event from a place of calm. I wanted to see what you saw. (I don’t always reread what I’ve written because it can be overwhelming to go through the thing again in words)
I feel honoured and humbled that you took the time to read it, and also to tell me how you felt.
I am sending you more rainbows and blue sky from here. It’s been a rainy magical day so far.
Oh Wake! I love you so much. Reading about your experience made me go “oh we are the same autistic!”. I don’t know if that’s accurate but I resonate and would have been triggered all the same. I also felt so empowered by your stating you are autistic— made me think maybe I could do that too. I am continually amazed by you and how you show up and it helps me show up too, as I am, refusing to be unkind. Thank you for your truth 💖💖💖
When we first starting sharing our experiences, and you would describe your reactions, and impulses and how you were in the world I wanted (and probably did say)…we are such similar humans. I am so grateful for you in my life, and knowing you makes me feel less alone in a world that tries so often to force us to be unkind.
I am grateful to you for sharing how you manage in a world that is so hard some days. Thank you for your friendship and your art and your perspective. I love you so very much. Thank you for sharing the good, the hard, and your beautiful wondrous self with me.
Absolutely touching and beautiful post, Wake! Thank you for sharing more of your inner world! Congratulations on crying when you needed to, and doing such magnificent self-care! You have made me better understand the dear people with Autism that I am blessed to know! Sending you much love and all good things! <3 <3 <3
thankyou for this, and no I am autistic aspergery and queer at the same time but I am getting used to not understanding the world. I just breathe again when I am in a writing group and they dont discuss the writing but the subject... who cares I say and eventually have to leave. My 103 mother is miserable and I want to shake her but what is the point so float above the misery and go to work with abusive men so you can pay for the new tires on your car... thanks marcia
Oh no, sorry this had to happen to you. Sending love and hugs your way 💕
Thank you for the love and the hugs. I appreciate you so very much. I’m feeling so much better today.
You’re so so welcome and so glad you are feeling better today xxx
Oh, Wake. I’m sorry you had this sort of day. I know these days and I’m glad you were able to process and find support and a way out.
I can’t begin to describe the blood boiling feeling I experienced when you shared that someone corrected your statement about YOURSELF. Oh boy.
It is strange for someone to want to correct the way I self-identify.
But I could feel she was trying to do it from a place of kindness. But she was also approaching it from a place of “autism is a disorder”, which I don’t actually believe. Which is why I say Autistic or Austist.
Because I believe that we are an important part of the ecosystem. That we all of us are. But at some point the world stopped making spaces for the autistic, the adhd crew, the mad, the disabled…we have all of us, always been here. The world isn’t made for us. But we are important pieces of the puzzle, and I want to keep making spaces where we are valued, loved, celebrated. Where if we want to contribute, we can, but if we need to rest, we can do that too.
But yeah. I really feel a lot of feelings when someone tells me I can’t call myself the things that feel good to me. I, too, let people tell me how they self describe. If you tell me who you are, I’ll listen, and I will honour that trust.
Thank you for this. We went away for 4 glorious days with no media and only nature. It was so rejuvenating. Unfortunately, a greyhound puppy decided it was important to kiss my face, so I now have a black eye! Also, my son and family are coming for their yearly visit later this week but they were just exposed to Covid. I am glad I had the downtime to de-stress so I can handle these other issues. If I see you this week, we can share hugs
Oh! Greyhounds have such solid heads. I hope your eye heals quickly!
I’m sending you calm vibes and hope that your family has a gentle stay.
I’ll be at the bookshop today and tomorrow if you want a gentle chat. 💖💖💖
Maybe because it's 2 am and I'm overly emotional at this hour, or I'm in some sentimental mood, but this brought me to tears. This was so beautifully written and your experiences so real that I feel I have known you all my love (it's definitely 2am hours). If there's one thing I learned, then there really is some place over the rainbow where blue birds fly, once you get past the tears. Thank you for sharing :)
I’m so glad you found my writing at 2am. Often the things I read in the middle of the night are the things that resound most with my heart, and when I’m most open. Thank you for sharing how this affected you. I had to go back and read it because I wrote it right after the event from a place of calm. I wanted to see what you saw. (I don’t always reread what I’ve written because it can be overwhelming to go through the thing again in words)
I feel honoured and humbled that you took the time to read it, and also to tell me how you felt.
I am sending you more rainbows and blue sky from here. It’s been a rainy magical day so far.
Oh Wake! I love you so much. Reading about your experience made me go “oh we are the same autistic!”. I don’t know if that’s accurate but I resonate and would have been triggered all the same. I also felt so empowered by your stating you are autistic— made me think maybe I could do that too. I am continually amazed by you and how you show up and it helps me show up too, as I am, refusing to be unkind. Thank you for your truth 💖💖💖
When we first starting sharing our experiences, and you would describe your reactions, and impulses and how you were in the world I wanted (and probably did say)…we are such similar humans. I am so grateful for you in my life, and knowing you makes me feel less alone in a world that tries so often to force us to be unkind.
I am grateful to you for sharing how you manage in a world that is so hard some days. Thank you for your friendship and your art and your perspective. I love you so very much. Thank you for sharing the good, the hard, and your beautiful wondrous self with me.
Hugs. I.am glad little Potato was there to nuzzle. Soft kitty. Hugs.
Absolutely touching and beautiful post, Wake! Thank you for sharing more of your inner world! Congratulations on crying when you needed to, and doing such magnificent self-care! You have made me better understand the dear people with Autism that I am blessed to know! Sending you much love and all good things! <3 <3 <3
thankyou for this, and no I am autistic aspergery and queer at the same time but I am getting used to not understanding the world. I just breathe again when I am in a writing group and they dont discuss the writing but the subject... who cares I say and eventually have to leave. My 103 mother is miserable and I want to shake her but what is the point so float above the misery and go to work with abusive men so you can pay for the new tires on your car... thanks marcia
I appreciate you. I definitely do so many breathing exercises to get through my day.
Today I sat outside counting petals on a tiny flower just to calm my nervous system back down.
Thank you for taking to read my newsletter. I’m so glad you are here.