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Finding Happiness With Autism

bmmartin2003

Growing up with both my autism and cerebral palsy, my life has been full of challenges. I really struggled to stay positive back in 2024, due to struggles with letting go and moving on. But in this post, I’m here to tell you, you can find happiness despite your struggles. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being your honest, authentic self. 

How do you stay positive and be your authentic self and also avoid/deal with negative thoughts?

  • I have struggled alot with anxiety and depression throughout my life. I am learning at the ripe old age of 52 to please myself and do what I need to do rather than constantly think of other people in my life. I am learning to say no to social occasions I know will hurt and upset me. I’m learning to dress only for comfort, to wear what I need to wear to be happy. I stim as much as I need to. I spend a lot of time in bed quietly or alone outdoors. I never used to do any of this. I am a life long people pleaser and it’s only now I am learning to look after me. 

  • Thank you for sharing this about you! You sound incredible and very inspiring!

    I try to stick to my core values of knowledge and kindness, which keep me going. Being present is hugely important for me too; it helps ground me, and I feel quite alive not worrying about the present or future (as much as possible anyway)

  • For some reason I just don't do happiness or any positivity really which is probably why I also diagnosed with TRD.

    It's horrible as there's just no up side to soften the ever present lows. 

  • Thanks for the positive message. I suppose my happy place these days is wandering about with a camera.

  • I tend to keep myself busy and set immediate goals so I don't just mope/ruminate all the time. An example been right now I'm trying to motivate myself to list Pokemon cards on Vinted.  I find if I stagnate the negative thoughts become unbearable. 

    I find finding actual true happiness much, much more challenging than combating the negative thoughts.

  • I particularly like your phrase "There is absolutely nothing wrong with being your honest, authentic self" ... I think I've learnt over my 46 years that that's the only way I can be

  • But I admit negative thoughts stalk me every day. My primary comorbidity with autism is c-ptsd, ie trauma. The nightmares are hideous at the monent and their breaking of my sleep night after night leads to sleep deprivation, then the body craves REM sleep (when we dream), and all my dreams are degrees of fear and terror. Hoeever my wife found a connection between the heat causing me physical pain which propels the sleep deprivation further. It helped me to have an actual explanation. Trained as a scientist I need facts and evidence before I believe things. So thank you my dear wife, you help me tobe as positive as I can 

    Alice. ️‍Rainbow 

  • Well done, thank you for sharing such a positive result. I agree, authenticity and honesty are powerful. Thumbsup

  • I enjoy my hobbies and celebrate my differences.  I also watch a lot of TV, which makes me happy.  If people give me a hard time, I ignore them.