Mostly asking for other people on the spectrum, but allistics are free to comment also.
So any time you need to do Big Project, each smaller step is in itself Big Project and subdividing is off the table.
Got it in one. Hat’s off - just about every mental health professional I’ve talked to has had trouble with this part.
It also sounds like you’re tackling everything without help. If you can stand it, would organising a group task force help? My partner (not me - I can’t do people very well) got together with some of her more reliable friends and they will plan every other weekend to all descend upon one of their homes and spend about 4 hours doing What Needs To Be Done. It turns the activity into more of a social gathering, and they actually get things done.
Correct on the mostly alone thing. My spouse and I are very similar when it comes to executive dysfunction (which is as mutually frustrating as it sounds) and she is nowhere near handy. It’s all me when it comes to maintenance/repairs.
Pretty much all of our close friends have their hands full with their own lives/kids/crises. What’s worse, I’ve had people promise to help and then ghost me. And every contractor I’ve hired has done a half-assed job at best. Most have been straight up incompetent. It makes me (further) question my decision making skills.
But on the bright side, one friend’s crisis landed him on leave for a bit. (He very much needed the break.) He put out a general offer to help because he has time and knows I’m struggling, so I took him up on it. Hopefully between the two of us we can figure out how to replace the rest of the gutter guards this week.
Professional or not, I appreciate the feedback and empathy. Thanks, kind internet stranger. 🫡
I am so happy to hear you have a friend who is willing and able to help you out! My partner and I have good days and bad days. She’s usually more motivated, but I tend to be handier (when I can focus). I lucked out there I think.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get some mental health professionals who actually trust that someone is accurately describing what they’re dealing with and how? Like - you can throw neurotypical-friendly solutions at me all day but there just might be a reason they won’t work the same as they have for someone else.
Take care of you! Here’s hoping for an uptick in The Good Days soon!
I am so happy to hear you have a friend who is willing and able to help you out!
Aaaand he cancelled. ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ As I said, everyone I know is going through some shit. I’m a bit disappointed but not mad. Or even surprised.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get some mental health professionals who actually trust that someone is accurately describing what they’re dealing with and how? Like - you can throw neurotypical-friendly solutions at me all day but there just might be a reason they won’t work the same as they have for someone else.
Some people are just in it for the money. Just like in the “real” world, if you don’t fit inside the box, they don’t care. You’re not worth the effort. Some do it because they care. Which is good… to a point. Caring will drain someone, listening to people who are in pain all day, every day.
Some people are in it to learn, and to share that knowledge. These are the ones most likely to take what you say at face value… and then dig to get to the root of it. I’m lucky to have found one of these people as my therapist, and doubly lucky that he’s part of the hiring process at the facility. He wants the culture to reflect his values. I just wish I could have found this support system sooner.
Oh wow you struck gold with that therapist! We need WAY more of him, but you’re right it’s draining work. Like just hanging out with a good friend will wipe me out, but digging deep into the root of someone’s pain, over and over, every day…ooof.
I’m sorry your friend cancelled. Hopefully he gets over this bump and you can reschedule.
