Unable to think how I want

Lots of members of this forum will relate to this - there was a thread recently about bullying, which had many replies from members who had been bullied. So try to take comfort that you're not alone.

Even when people don't bully us, some of them might think our interests are a bit "weird" - for example, before I retired I could not discuss gaming with most of my colleagues as they weren't interested and it was obvious some of them thought it was a bit "inappropriate" for an older woman like me. 

However, since learning that I was on the spectrum around 9 years ago I've learned that non autistic people sometimes have difficulty in accepting what is not "the norm" for them and the groups they are in. But we all have different "norms" - for example, direct eye contact is seen as being trustworthy in our culture, while in others it can be seen as rude or challenging. So I just have different "norms" to most other adults. I personally think football is a bit childish, but I'd never be rude enough to belittle anyone who enjoys it, as that is their thing they enjoy.

There are quite a lot of members on here who enjoy gaming (including me) and being happy doesn't make you weak - if you enjoy something, that should strengthen your mental health. Gaming is actually good for us - it keeps our minds active and has been shown to help prevent Alzheimer's in older people. Why not start a thread about games you enjoy and talk about it on here, so that you can see others like the same things as you. I'm sure that you don't think others who play games are weak, so that means you're not either. And if those game characters were sentient and could talk to you, I'm sure they would thank you for bringing them to life and interacting with them - if there were no gamers, they wouldn't exist! 

Hiya Lotus, thank you so much for your kind words. I needed them so badly as I’ve been struggling today. Yeah well I defo don’t fit in with the norms of gen z I can tell you that and if I’m honest I actually feel ashamed to be born in the gen z era but I can’t help that and I would much rather be myself and be happy than do what others tell me to do, regardless of their age, so I just fit with “the norm”. I’m also glad to hear about gaming being good for us as I always believed that but it’s just hard to get my point across to certain people and as I said it’s easier said than done to just ignore and move on. I might start a gaming post some time actually! 

My generation is called "Baby boomers" and I don't like being classed as part of that either. We're supposed to be greedy, self important high achievers who "had it all" - free university tuition, jobs for everyone, low house prices. Nobody talks about the tiny amount of university places available, the poor teaching in state schools and no support for special needs, the low wages and high cost of living, and the difficulty getting a mortgage with a need for a substantial deposit and high interest rates. I never went to university, I was never well paid, I don't own my own home and I don't drive, so I stick out amongst my peers. But I don't care. Someone has to be "different" so that they can feel "normal". I'm quite happy in my little bubble, and I'm glad I can relate to some people in other generations such as yourself.

I look forward to joining in a gaming thread with you!

My generation is called "Baby boomers" and I don't like being classed as part of that either. We're supposed to be greedy, self important high achievers who "had it all" - free university tuition, jobs for everyone, low house prices. Nobody talks about the tiny amount of university places available, the poor teaching in state schools and no support for special needs, the low wages and high cost of living, and the difficulty getting a mortgage with a need for a substantial deposit and high interest rates. I never went to university, I was never well paid, I don't own my own home and I don't drive, so I stick out amongst my peers. But I don't care. Someone has to be "different" so that they can feel "normal". I'm quite happy in my little bubble, and I'm glad I can relate to some people in other generations such as yourself.

I look forward to joining in a gaming thread with you!

Looking forward to a gaming thread too. I’ve heard of the baby boomers and how they were meant to have got everything. I have an uncle who is also a boomer and he struggled to find a job in the UK so he ended up working abroad, he doesn’t own his own place either but he’s happy! Sometimes it’s good to be different as you say because I personally feel we are more normal! I just hope others realise that there are some gen z people like myself who aren’t cruel and judgemental and that. I mean I feel judged all the time and I’m always questioned as to why I haven’t got hair extensions, why won’t I get lip fillers or Botox etc, why won’t I have fake tan. I’m just not into that stuff, plus I actually think I have longer thicker hair naturally anyway. Please know I’m a nice person lol