A lot better

Today went a lot better. In the morning I was so focused on getting myself to work, I forgot my work clothes. Oops. At this point I started to panick a bit, but I soon found out they had some spare clothes for me. No worries.

Then they had a small meeting in which they didn’t need me, so I was alone at the job again for a few minutes. Luckily the shop wasn’t open yet and they left me clear instructions. Again, no worries.

So the day started out a bit off, but I could handle it. After that the job just went on as usual and, totally different than Wednesday, I was on my game. I finished my work faster than usual and halfway during the day I seriously didn’t know what was left to do, except for some refilling once in a while, because I simply did everything there was to do at that specific point in time within my assigned tasks.

Suddenly I was asked to help decorate some pastries. I was very happy, because that’s what I like doing better than just cleaning, selling, wrapping, etc.! So not only was I on top of my game, I had fun doing my job too! During lunch I even caught some youngsters joking about Autism. I took the chance to tell them off and inform them. They took the opportunity and asked me for more information on Autism. I loved this. Something that could turn out ugly, got turned into a great chance to tell them more about Autism and have them understand it just a bit more.

At the end of the day I also got my key to my locker for the first time and I was allowed to go home. I was pleased with myself and I got a lot of compliments from my colleagues.

I was also very tired and my feet were hurting, so I got myself home very quickly. At home I fell asleep.

After waking up, I got to Chill Aut (the weekly Autism Meeting). There everyone was in a happy mood. Suddenly a new person arrived and she was someone who knew my sister from school! After some thinking I remembered her too. I only saw her a few times, but still remembered her.

I still find it strange that I can know someone for a long time, but still hardly remember that person and others I can just meet for a few times and still remember for years!

I had a great time catching up with her and had a fun time with the activities there.

This is the big difference in me, and most people with Autism, between when I feel good and I don’t get too much input in a day, and when I don’t have a good day. When people are being rude, there is too much input, there is too much on my mind, etc. I can end up having a terrible day. Most people will be annoyed by such a day, but to me it can seriously throw me off and sometimes even cause physical problems. But when a day goes smoothly with not too much input, rude people, things on my mind, etc. then I can handle things much better and show a whole different me. A me that’s productive, happy, chatty, lively and maybe even very social.