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Lack of daily routine

Deleted User

Does anyone have difficulty with having a lack of routine? I'm ok when I'm in work or have commitments but otherwise I seem to flim flam around. I notice other people are able to productively relax (eg I'm going to sit and watch a film then I'm going to do a work out) whereas I feel I act more on a whim. I'm getting some help to establish a better routine outside of working days because of a non autism related issue.  They've left me just to get on with it and plan myself which is fine because I know I need help with this but I feel there's an element of demand to it now. It's hard for me to establish a routine and very easy for it to unravel. Can anyone relate to it? 

Parents

  • Yes definitely, I can be much happier and productive if I have a routine. Otherwise, I unintentionally end up doing nothing or very little because I have don’t have specified periods in my day to focus or motivate me. It’s because of autistic need for predictability, but also inertia and monotropism.

     If I am on holiday (which I really don’t like) it’s like I have too much time to be able to organise myself to achieve anything. I think it’s because I am monotropic, I need to be interested or focused on one or a few things to achieve something. This means that when I am out of routine there is too much that I could potentially do which means I find it difficult to focus my attention. People say that holidays should be relaxing, but usually for me they are the complete opposite. A holiday gives me too much time to ruminate or become anxious because I find it difficult to focus my attention.

    Unknown said:
    Does anyone have difficulty with having a lack of routine? I'm ok when I'm in work or have commitments but otherwise I seem to flim flam around.

    Yes that’s  exactly what I do. I like your use of ‘flim flam’, great phrase. Be kind to yourself though, you don’t always need to be productive. Days of resting, doing nothing, or autistic self care are just as important to feel happy and replenish lost spoons (energy).

  • in reply to Ausomely Autistic
    Ausomely Autistic said:
    This means that when I am out of routine there is too much that I could potentially do which means I find it difficult to focus my attention

    This is what happens when I'm off work at home.

    Actually I love the novelty of being on holiday.  I like the unpredictability of it. It's also like I have permission to be out of routine because I am on holiday. So that's acceptable but not at home. Altho when you have lots of things to see and do while you are there I can get a bit stressed how to manage all these things. First world problems!!

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  • in reply to Ausomely Autistic
    Ausomely Autistic said:
    This means that when I am out of routine there is too much that I could potentially do which means I find it difficult to focus my attention

    This is what happens when I'm off work at home.

    Actually I love the novelty of being on holiday.  I like the unpredictability of it. It's also like I have permission to be out of routine because I am on holiday. So that's acceptable but not at home. Altho when you have lots of things to see and do while you are there I can get a bit stressed how to manage all these things. First world problems!!

Children
  • in reply to Deleted User
    Unknown said:
    It is nice but I'd rather see everything I can while I'm there!

    Absorb as much culture as possible like a human sponge!

    Unknown said:
    I've now realised this is putting pressure on myself so last few holidays have been....we will do what we can and be happy with that.

    This idea sounds much more relaxing. What tourist attractions have you visited?

    Although I don't usually enjoy holidays, (they are unnecessarily stressful),I really like being by the sea on holiday. It is very calming. There is something about being around nature that provides a different perspective on the world, that it really positive. 

  • in reply to Ausomely Autistic

    Yes I don't really like beach holidays or sitting by the pool. It is nice but I'd rather see everything I can while I'm there! I've now realised this is putting pressure on myself so last few holidays have been....we will do what we can and be happy with that.

    What about yourself?

  • in reply to Deleted User
    Unknown said:
    Altho when you have lots of things to see and do while you are there I can get a bit stressed how to manage all these things.

    Holidays shouldn't be stressful. Do you like active holidays then where you visit different tourist attractions?

    Unknown said:
    I like the unpredictability of it. It's also like I have permission to be out of routine because I am on holiday.

    I understand, holidays give you freedom to choose what you do/when you do it and low demand days. I like the permission too because there is no pressure/urgency to do anything, however this can be quite annoying and lead to procrastination when you have the six week summer holidays (in the education system). 

    Unknown said:
    First world problems!!

    Definitely, we have too much free time to know what to do with!