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The Role of Food in Autism and Comfort Routines
The author reflects on their relationship with food, particularly how being diagnosed with autism helped them understand their preferences for familiar meals like beef taquitos and In-N-Out burgers. These foods provided comfort and…
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The Shame After a Meltdown
Meltdowns often leave lasting emotional scars that exceed their immediate chaos. The aftermath includes feelings of shame, guilt, and self-hatred that can linger long after the incident. True healing lies in how we…
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What Autism Really Looks Like: My Personal Experience
Autism Awareness Month highlights the importance of understanding the complexities of living with autism beyond stereotypes. The author shares personal experiences of sensory overwhelm, irritability, social burnout, and emotional struggles, emphasizing that autism…
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Why Traditional Self-Care Advice Doesnโt Always Work for Me
Growing up, I never really thought of self-care as something essential. Truthfully, I didnโt think about it much at all. I just pushed through everythingโschool, homework, soccer practicesโall while silently feeling exhausted and…
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How to Overcome Negative Emotions with Compassion
For most of my life, Iโve had a negative view of myself, my actions, and my behaviors. Iโve always been my harshest critic, so when I feel like Iโm failing in some aspect…
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The Truth About Creativity: Beyond Perfectionism
For most of my life, I believed creativity had to be perfect to be worth sharing. I thought that if I made something clumsy or lackluster, I would be shamed for it. I…
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Post-Vacation Blues: Coming Home After an Amazing Trip
Do you ever get post-vacation blues? I certainly do. For me, thereโs nothing like going on vacationโexploring new places, trying new things, and spending time with loved ones. But when it ends, I…
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The Loneliness of the Observant: Navigating Social Dynamics
Iโve always been a very intuitive and observant person. Iโm the one who notices a jaw tighten or an eye roll before anyone utters a word. The one who can feel the underlying…
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The Power of Quiet Strength in My Life Story
I was a quiet girl who mistook her silence for smallness. For most of my life, I described myself as quiet, shy, and reserved. I was the girl who observed more than she…
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Balancing Social Life and Recognizing Your Energy Limits
I can be surprisingly good at socializing. Thatโs the part that makes it hard to explain. I know how to ask thoughtful questions, how to laugh at the right moments, and how to appear engaged,…
