I realised I'm actually OK

• Thanks so much for your positive post, it's so nice to hear that things can get better,  I do know that at my age but so good to be reminded of this when things are not going so well. Thank you 

I really miss Wilko, it was such a useful shop. I miss shops in general, I miss having a mooch.

I don't have tattoos, some of  them really freak me out and many are bad, I can never think of anything I'd want to have indelibly inked on my skin and knowing how sensitive my skin is, I might be allergic to the ink or just go mouldy.

I don't play games either or eat out, apart from the odd sandwich. We do still have newsagents, but they're more mini supermarkets.

I like. Tattoo parlours but I do find resorts are over run by them. And not even good. Ones 

I have 3 local to. Me. And 4 localism but they're all good but some. Areas have 10 grimy ones 

I. Miss bhs Woolworths blockbusters argos(the REAL argos) litlewoods(with the cafe too) wilkos electronics boutique/gamestation/game(before it became a small part of sports direct) Grainger games(that was a mismanaged mess at the end it became a funco and. Merch shop) 

• I even. Miss how. Subway used to. Have sub of the day a 6 inch sub for 1.99 I miss when your local convince store had DVDs (that only ended Mabie 8 years ago) or when shops had wooden hand painted signs and we had tv repair shops and your local news agent was known as the sweet shop because of the mass amount of sweets at and behind the till

It's as much who is around you, as well as where you are, that triggers trauma.

I could give a big long list of shops and places I miss let alone the things I'd like to be able to buy, in fact I'd like shops back full stop, every time I go to Bangor there seem to fewer shops than before, except for barbers, tattoo parlours and vape shops.

I think I realised id hate to be nt... Would I like no meltdowns no overload no communication issues? Yes but that said id hate to of not of broken free from what nt see as the norm I. E drinking every weekend, always seeing large groups of people, having only "grown up" Interests(way I see it if you like a kids tv show as long as your not being a creep about it what's the issue) and also nt are more likely you be sucked in by trends brands and buzzwords I. E smart cuz or ai powered cuz or the latest led technology 

1. I'm much happier realising that the more modern TV's get the more they become landfill fodder(or at least the plastic parts where as crt and plasma could be repaired so the chemicals were less of an issue) the big down side to autism in that sense though ia I feel I get ledt behind when something I'm accustomed to and like disappears I. E mt local pound bakery has gone and not only did I like pound bakery as soon as the first one opened best me but I was always used to them when they operated as Sayers but bow that gregs(which don't get me wrong os nice but if you compare a gregs sausage roll to most other small or chain bakery it's pretty average at best) has become some sort of trend because they do shoes hoodies and trendy (rubbish) celebrity's have worked with them 

As much as I love and value this community and forum, I don't think that's all there is to it, I think on the whole I just feel less harrassed, the friend I used to live with who now suffers from dementia, is settled in supported accomodation, a really nice place where you feel there might be a Thursday Murder Club. Another friend who I was worried about now has a lovely cottage and is heart broken but happy and settled.

I think there was a lot of background stuff, that's now gone, apart from the niggles of maps and everyday surface stuff.

Hello  TheCatWoman 

I'm really glad that you feel you're doing well at the moment, it's nice when we can assess ourselves and feel confident in where we are emotionally at the moment - it certainly is easier said than done in a lot of cases, to get ourselves to this space.

Just remember, in case you ever feel the need for support, there are always the following resources in addition to the NAS community.

Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111

Crisis Text Line UK

Contact Us | Samaritans

Once again, I really am glad to hear how things are going for you currently - you deserve to feel comfortable in how you feel, and who you are.

Take care - Zac Mod.

good :-)

That is good. Maybe it is he benefits of this forum and community.