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The Loneliness of the Observant: Navigating Social Dynamics
I’ve always been a very intuitive and observant person. I’m 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. That’s 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,…
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Why Does My Brain Freeze in Social Situations?
Lately, I’ve been out of town, and there have been moments that scared me a little. I’ll be in the middle of a conversation, and my brain just draws blanks — not in a…
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Why I Romanticize Rain (And Silence)
I’m currently spending the month in Portland, Oregon, and I’ve been trying to adjust to the weather out here. I’m used to the sunshine, heat, and light weather of Southern California. Every time I come…
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Overthinking Love: A Neurodivergent Perspective
The author expresses their challenges with dating as a neurodivergent individual who feels uncomfortable in social situations and often overthinks interactions. Their experiences have led to a protective mindset, leading to avoidance of…
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Signs Your Body Is Overstimulated and How to Cope
Sometimes I don’t notice that I’m overstimulated right away. The signs and signals start out small. A flicker of tension behind my eyes. My shoulders tightening without my realizing. A low buzz of…
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Why “Just Speak Up” Isn’t Helpful Advice
For most of my life, I’ve been told to just speak up. Teachers said it because my voice was too soft. Friends say it because all they hear are “mumbles,” even though I’m speaking…
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The Bittersweet Truth About Birthdays
Tomorrow is my birthday. Birthdays, for me, have always felt like the one day out of the year where I can feel truly seen—where friends, family, and even acquaintances from different walks of…
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The Love of Cooking Italian Food
If you ask me what my favorite thing to cook is, the answer will always be Italian food. There’s nothing quite like a sauce slowly simmering on the stove, the smell of garlic…
