General Discussion

I think your goals are too big and you’re burning yourself out. As an autistic person it’s very easy to burn yourself out, very different than a neurotypical person.

I’m autistic, ‘high functioning’ but I definitely wasn’t when I was younger.

I’ve found that taking it easy is the best approach. You’re born with the innate ability to push yourself too hard. A very useful skill when running from a predator but not as useful for long term goals.

Paradoxically, focusing on how to do less will allow you to do more. Finding little shortcuts in life that over time add up.

For example, every morning I need 2 hours to putter about. Just do absolutely nothing to prepare for my day. A lot of the time, an entire day on the weekend will also be dedicated to doing aimless, random tasks.

I used to hate myself for it and just feel so useless. But now I recognize that it’s just something I have to do to function. I view it as a positive because it’s when I have some of my best ideas. Back when I used to hate myself for it, I wouldn’t have any good ideas because I was so focused on feeling bad.

Also, measure success in as many ways as possible. For example, let’s say you’re having a tough day and you get almost nothing done. That’s a win. Even though you were having a tough day, you got something done.

Remember that easy is an effort. Easy on a good day looks very different from easy on a bad day.

If you keep it easy, one day you’ll wake up and realize that easy has changed. The stuff you used to think was hard is the new easy and you’re reaching places you never thought you could.