07/14/2026
I'm autistic.
I considered not saying anything. After all, it doesn't change much in my life. I'm still doing the things I did before the official diagnosis. I'm still a wife. I'm still a mom of two wee ones. I'm still a friend, a sister, a daughter-in-law...I still work a full-time corporate job. I'm still busting my ass at building this small photography business.
No, not much has changed.
But also everything has changed. Those struggles over the last 39 years...
All of the times there was a misunderstanding or someone complained about all the questions I asked or exasperatedly said, "I don't get why you don't get this!"
All of the times someone commented on my facial expressions or told me I need to get off my high horse or said, "You're TOO good."
All of the times I was asked, "How are you?" as a greeting and died a little inside knowing that they didn't want an answer and didn't actually care, and it was just a social expectation.
All of the times I took something too literally or didn't get the joke or made a joke that no one else understood.
All of the times I watched my peers do something because everyone else was doing it and thought, "WHY?"
All of the times I was disappointed because a movie or book or show was too predictable or formulaic, even though everyone else raved about the "twists."
All of the times I couldn't concentrate because of the smells in Subway or Bath & Body Works, or couldn't concentrate because the music in the restaurant was too loud, or couldn't concentrate because my shirt tag was scratching me.
All of the times I felt like a very square peg trying to wedge myself into a very round hole.
At least there's a reason now. I feel vindicated. I feel hopeful. I feel relieved. I also feel... successful. Because despite literally not being made for this society, I'm thriving!
Though the corporate world does not reward honesty, authenticity, and communication, guess what does? The small business community! Those who want to buy local and want to buy from someone they can trust are building me up every day.
I never realized just being myself could draw so many people in.
This goes for my chosen family too. My biggest struggle has always been work and figuring out the politics there, but my friends have never made me worry that I wouldn't be loved or safe, even if I wasn't always 100% understood.
So, I say this: I'm autistic.
And I say it because maybe this will help someone else who is struggling. Someone who is drowning in one way or another because they just can't understand why society operates the way it does. There ARE folks out here who will love and respect you for no other reason than existing. You just have to find them.
You can start here, at this post ❤️