Summer depression

I have never bought into the whole fashion branded / luxury brands / designer labels way of thinking (and I have made older adult bones just fine without them, thanks all the same - so I don't envisage changing my outlook on that topic).

I do not consider what other people will think of the things I buy or wear.  They are my £'s and I make sure that budget serves my best interests.

My shopping research for items might consider: best value / most reliable / best for the task.

I am happy to save up for / budget towards / wait for something I need or want.

Usually, I will defer a purchase - rather than buy a "disposable fashion" version acting on impulse.

I have always opted for a very ordinary car - so I can park it anywhere I need to without attracting attention - therefore, not worrying that it would ever likely be top of the theft target list.

My one "exception to the rule": I am prepared to put a seriously greater budget towards the precise make and model of good quality trekking trainers - as I use them most times that I leave the house - as they are the only ones which do not damage my feet.  People are less likely to have heard of them - as they are not in fashionista territory.  However, if I am in a proper outdoor equipment supplies shop - an observant assistant might ask me for my road trast feedback ("excellent").  I always have one pair in active regular use, plus one new pair at home - in reserve as back up in case the current pair were to develop an issue.  Here is the clue though: they don't let me down - as they are extremely well designed and manufactured (I feel; as reflects well: their company's almost 350 years of experience).  I never imagined (when I bought them) just how many trouble-free years of good service they would provide me.  Yes, they are the single most expensive thing which I buy - but at a cost per wearing calculation - they have definitely proved to be excellent value.  (My feet thank me every time I wear those particular trekking trainers!).

I have one particularly irritating relative who, nearly every time I see them, apparently can't resist overbearingly promoting to me; some wretched brand whose TV marketing and social-climbing allure must have appealed to their suggestibility ...back off woman, don't interfere with my footcare!

Thank you, I’m not the only one who doesn’t feel they have to be noticed and seen with all the best stuff. I mean I would rather put my money towards things that I would actually enjoy! The only trainers I get are sketchers and they can last me years! I also have size five feet so I can get away with children’s shoes haha. 

I just wish I could not give a toss about other people and I never used too until this former manager had bullied and manipulated me etc. and no therapy has helped at all and I’ve tried like everything (that I can think of). 

I worked for years in lots of tough and demanding workplaces - but they were OK. 

Then I worked in a place which (from the outside World) appeared professional. 

(This was before I had been helped to confirm that I was highly likely Autistic and before my subsequent Autism diagnosis).

At first, it seemed that way too.

After I while; I began to realise that all was actually not quite as it seemed. 

Scratch just below the PR glitz - and there was an unusually toxic culture with a manipulative environment where bullying was both able to thrive and was unchecked in the manner you would have expected.

I didn't realise and get out of that place quickly enough.  For the first time in my career - I experienced sustained bullying in plain sight of other colleagues and management.

I do believe other people noticed long before I did and did not act to support me.  

With the benefit of hindsight, I now believe my Autism played a considerable role in (unfortunately) blinkering me to the onslaught / depth / breadth / detrimental impact of the bullying I experienced - until the damage had been done.

It has meant that I approach potential new workplaces with greater trepidation.

I have been talking with 2 local employment service teams (one supports people into work where Autism and disability experience is relevant, and the other supports people with mental health issues lived experience).

As a result, for the first time in my career, I am considering what might be prudent and pragmatic around: disclosure, reasonable adjustments and strategies such as deploying a WAP / WRAP (WAP / Wellness Recovery Action Plan).

WAP For Employees and the workplace:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/5760/mind-guide-for-employees-wellness-action-plans_final.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjk1sbGyaePAxVfdUEAHR00NhkQFnoECC0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3YfbtFOgqmNcmvvz8e9MOD

What is WRAP? - work / life balance:

https://www.wellnessrecoveryactionplan.com/what-is-wrap/

I read something recently upon which to ponder (you can open the image in a new tab, or download it to enable zoom in - if required):

I worked for years in lots of tough and demanding workplaces - but they were OK. 

Then I worked in a place which (from the outside World) appeared professional. 

(This was before I had been helped to confirm that I was highly likely Autistic and before my subsequent Autism diagnosis).

At first, it seemed that way too.

After I while; I began to realise that all was actually not quite as it seemed. 

Scratch just below the PR glitz - and there was an unusually toxic culture with a manipulative environment where bullying was both able to thrive and was unchecked in the manner you would have expected.

I didn't realise and get out of that place quickly enough.  For the first time in my career - I experienced sustained bullying in plain sight of other colleagues and management.

I do believe other people noticed long before I did and did not act to support me.  

With the benefit of hindsight, I now believe my Autism played a considerable role in (unfortunately) blinkering me to the onslaught / depth / breadth / detrimental impact of the bullying I experienced - until the damage had been done.

It has meant that I approach potential new workplaces with greater trepidation.

I have been talking with 2 local employment service teams (one supports people into work where Autism and disability experience is relevant, and the other supports people with mental health issues lived experience).

As a result, for the first time in my career, I am considering what might be prudent and pragmatic around: disclosure, reasonable adjustments and strategies such as deploying a WAP / WRAP (WAP / Wellness Recovery Action Plan).

WAP For Employees and the workplace:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/5760/mind-guide-for-employees-wellness-action-plans_final.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjk1sbGyaePAxVfdUEAHR00NhkQFnoECC0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3YfbtFOgqmNcmvvz8e9MOD

What is WRAP? - work / life balance:

https://www.wellnessrecoveryactionplan.com/what-is-wrap/

I read something recently upon which to ponder (you can open the image in a new tab, or download it to enable zoom in - if required):