Wednesday, July 15, 2015

It's Been a While...

It has been quite some time since I last wrote in this blog back in October   A lot of things are different now in my life.  In November, I moved into my own place and I've been living independently since that time.   Also in November, I proposed to my girlfriend and we are planning our wedding for July 2016.

Back in February, I started work in a internet marketing call center and I've been doing quite well.  Being on the autism spectrum, I never pictured myself working in a call center and while it's been difficult at times for the most part it's going well.  Everyone I trained with at work knows I'm on the autism spectrum and have been quite accepting.

For my new job, I have to commute an hour one way to work.  This means I work eight hours and drive two hours a day.  My autism podcasts have stopped and I also had to quit teaching for OUCARES.  I have also stopped playing the clarinet in the New Horizons Band. There are too many things going on now.  I do miss teaching, band, and hosting my shows.

What with living independently, preparing my wedding, and working full time I'm not thinking that much about being on the autism spectrum.  Instead, I'm focusing instead on the rest of my life.  I think that's the way it should be.  It's better to focus on what can be done instead of what can't be done.

On the flip side, I also am learning that in the midst of day to day life with responsibilities wearing down, it can be difficult to heed the advice of someone far removed from those difficulties.  That being said, I wonder what value my words have provided those struggling with far more autism related trials than I am facing.

This is one reason why I am not advocating for autism as much as I used to.  It is wearing to be a self advocate for autism at times.