Published on 12, July, 2020
Although I haven't been officially diagnosed as of yet, I have a strong suspection that I am on the autistic spectrum. Specifically, what I'm referring to is my interest in most things like listening to music or watching TV decreasing in recent years, often feeling like I'm on the outside looking in, and this is due to my lack of engagement. Additionally, I don't have much interest engaging in social activities, even though I know it will benefit me, and I do struggle with compassion too. If anyone can relate to feeling this way, it would mean a lot if you let me know.
Thanks
I find things these days as a bit like being in a darkened room with a television displaying current events as a grim soap opera (ineffective politicians not up to the job, greedy companies, environmental policies which will have dire financial implications for ordinary people, flawed people in the media where I used to trust them etc, etc) of which I have a diminishing interest and confidence in. I do my job, fufill my obligations but where I can I indulge in escapism.
AutToFindOutMore said: I do my job, fufill my obligations but where I can I indulge in escapism.
In the end is there much else we can do in the majority of situations anyway?
The world is ugly - it always has been but with instant communication and so many competing news channels (where fear sells) all trying to make the most of anything bad happening anywhere in the world, then it is not surprising we sometimes struggle under the onslaught of negativity.
I'm a believer in taking control - start small, local and with yourself and work on making things better for yourself then helping others. Tackle those inner demons and arm yourself with knowledge to topple them from power so you can move on to be better and do better.
Iain said:I'm a believer in taking control - start small, local and with yourself and work on making things better for yourself then helping others. Tackle those inner demons and arm yourself with knowledge to topple them from power so you can move on to be better and do better.
How on earth can you think like that, yet survive in the workplace that you do?
Awesome! Go and infect the rest, please!
I Sperg said:How on earth can you think like that, yet survive in the workplace that you do?
I worked with what I could control - my team.
I made sure to take time every week to talk to them about how they are getting on, what little tweaks we could do to improve the way we worked and make out lives easier and championed them to work on projects with other teams when they were available.
When the times came for them to move on to other companies then I helped them with a reference, gave them help with their CVs and interview practice if they wanted it.
It gives results although I did have to act as a shield and push back to higher management sometimes when they wanted to implement stupid ideas to gain a few % more efficiency (in their eyes anyway).
I suppose because I had become a specialist in IT Service Delivery I ended up knowing more about best practice and could demonstrate why their ideas were inefficient but helped turn these into ones that worked for everybody.
It did make me look "soft" in other managements eyes because I did not boss my team about, but I don't believe their approach works for anyone involved.
I think coaching staff leaving for superviror or management positions was my favourite thing though - teach them to carry the torch so to speak.
These days I've retired from the IT world and am planning to work coaching autistic kids as they transition to working life - a traumatic time without someone to explain it and help you navigate it.