I have diagnosed ASD + ADHD and find it incredibly difficult to switch off/decompress. I really am interested to find out how other people switch off and recharge (and if they really manage to). Here are the things that 'normal' people do and suggest to me and how my brain behaves when doing them:
Read a book
I struggle to get past the first chapter, usually getting lost trying to remember who all the people and names are when the scene is being set. Frustration sets in by chapter 2 as more names are introduced. I'd rather have bird flu.
Go for a walk
Mind racing with all the weeks worries and stressors. Sometimes even change route part way through, then decide I preferred the other walking route, end up going nowhere fast and feeling annoyed.
Watch a movie
Mind drifts to work, family worries, thoughts about dinner, or check my phone ... oh, honey, look, Domino's has a large pizza deal for only £175
Meditate
Constant stream of thoughts ... im aware this is not 'bad' but just end up thinking about lots of negative things and getting swept up in thought .... how can Domino's charge so much for pizza?
Listen to music
OK, this one usually works ... when I can find a song to match my mood, still looking
Play video games
sold my PS5 months ago, felt totally unproductive and that I should be doing something more meaningful with my time (im still searching for that thing too...)
Journal
Write down all the negative stuff that's going on, realise it's just a book dating back 15 years now ... all negative .... feel worse ... have visions of throwing it away in the sea, maybe I should
Cook
The mess, the dishes piling up, the timing of all the items cooking, then finding out the curry tastes no better than jar store bought curry ... I'm now annoyed at having full jars of spices sitting around I'll never use again
The struggle is real ...
