Strategies for calming down?

This is for all the frustrated engineers/craft workers/artists out there, impacted by the spectrum. Little objects you desire. For example, looking around a farmer's market, I saw some extremely well-made & attractive woodworking handtools at a very low price. OK, I'm a former qualified carpenter, but the point is really pick the DIY/handicraft/art skill you most like and start collecting some useful tools/implements. It is the ultimate fidget really, because it can even become a productive hobby and or career. I note someone else who posted here was demonstrating the use of industrial roller bearings as twirlers. In fact, that is pretty much what all twirlers are. I bought one just to find out. but  I have to say that I got even more interested when I found that some Youtubers were incorporating twirlers into their own home-made machines - some with very practical uses. I'd even call this sort of activity a form of meditation or self-hypnosis. I also love power tools. It's all about manipulating the object until you discover a fuller range of possibilities for it. I'm sure it can be most annoying to others, but this is about you, not them. Another one for me would be maps. And then all the ancillary equipment such as distance measurers, geometry tools, GPSs, compasses and even hiking equipment. But the smaller objects are invariably the best.

My handskills aren't even that wonderful. I would say that I'm quite dyspraxic. But I figure stuff out as I go along and usually end up fixing stuff up quite well. But keep your rejects, because you never know when you might suddenly experience mender's satori. There was a time when I would deliberately destroy my rejects. These days I keep them for spare parts and/or later improvement.

I suppose you could also argue that it is better to get angry with things rather than people, but patient persistence can eventually be attained.

I love problem solving in general, especially designing things on the computer. I've just finished redesigning our rear garden, which I've enjoyed. I'm not sure if I like making things (not including gardening) - something new to try. Thanks for the suggestion.

Perhaps then concentrate on the design of garden features in natural materials. A bit of stonework, some different paving (recycled bricks and slabs) or rustic carpentry (fencing, trellises, patios, vineries etc.), for instance. Stuff that doesn't necessarily involve too much craftsmanship, but with which you can definitely improve with practice. Garden centres  and recyclers will also have a lot of useful materials, but I always try to use what is already present, like bricks left over by the builders. Old pallets, sawyard offcuts. The ability to do garden layout design on a computer is a definite help. And from my own POV, I'd probably get off on the garden tools and all their possibilities. Second-hand tools from carboot sales etc.

Great list of activities, everyone!

All great suggestions. It is something I do already to some extent, having completely redone the front garden a couple of years ago, but making my own garden features sounds fun. I've actually been stockpiling rock, bricks, tiles, logs and various things for a while in readiness. Providing my partner is happy with the design, I'll start in 2-weeks. First job is digging out the wildlife pond :-)

All great suggestions. It is something I do already to some extent, having completely redone the front garden a couple of years ago, but making my own garden features sounds fun. I've actually been stockpiling rock, bricks, tiles, logs and various things for a while in readiness. Providing my partner is happy with the design, I'll start in 2-weeks. First job is digging out the wildlife pond :-)