Not sure what to do.

Good morning from America, C!

Honestly? It sounds like you’re doing pretty well, even if you feel like you are “just existing”! It’s nice to have time for doing the things you love doing. And hearing that you’re not as depressed as you were is refreshing to hear. And the Christmas presents tradition? That’s fantastic.

C said:

What do you do?

I also have Autism and general anxiety, along with ADHD and depression, but I’m lucky to be able to work regardless. I think medication helps a lot. I work full time as an employment specialist, helping people with disabilities find employment. I used to be a music professor for a while, but there was a plethora of problems with me doing that job including burnout, low pay, and imposter syndrome.

If I were to have any advice for you, it would be to see if there is any way you can volunteer a few hours a week. It sounds like you want to be a part of your community, so that might be a way to give you something to look forward to just like the Christmas presents tradition. I’ve heard of people volunteering in animal shelters cleaning cat cages, maybe something slow pace like that could still work with your physical disabilities?

It’s great to hear from you!

Hi profdanger 

Thank you, that’s so nice of you to say. Things are a lot better for me now and up until recently I hadn’t been thinking about all this. It’s probably me over thinking things, the norm for me unfortunately!
The Christmas presents tradition is one of my fave things to do during the festive season now.

What’s Christmas like in America? Do you get snow? Sadly here in the UK we rarely get snow where I am and never at Christmas. I see it in the Christmas movies I watch and it always looks so festive and fun over. Always a white Christmas! New York is always looks extra special at Christmas time. One day I’d like to visit the US but I don’t know if that will happen or not.

Wow! Well done that sounds amazing. It takes a really special and kind person to work and help people like that. It must be a very rewarding job to do too. I’m glad you’re no longer in a job that causes you burnout and so many problems. You should be happy in your work and be enjoying what you’re doing, so it sounds like it ticks all the boxes for you.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it!
I’ve thought about doing volunteer work before. I volunteered once before, in my library and that was something I enjoyed doing, sadly the library closed when I was 19 but I love animals as well so doing some volunteer work again might be something good for me to do.

I’ll have a look after Christmas and see what’s about! Thanks again

It’s great to hear from you too!

Hi profdanger 

Thank you, that’s so nice of you to say. Things are a lot better for me now and up until recently I hadn’t been thinking about all this. It’s probably me over thinking things, the norm for me unfortunately!
The Christmas presents tradition is one of my fave things to do during the festive season now.

What’s Christmas like in America? Do you get snow? Sadly here in the UK we rarely get snow where I am and never at Christmas. I see it in the Christmas movies I watch and it always looks so festive and fun over. Always a white Christmas! New York is always looks extra special at Christmas time. One day I’d like to visit the US but I don’t know if that will happen or not.

Wow! Well done that sounds amazing. It takes a really special and kind person to work and help people like that. It must be a very rewarding job to do too. I’m glad you’re no longer in a job that causes you burnout and so many problems. You should be happy in your work and be enjoying what you’re doing, so it sounds like it ticks all the boxes for you.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it!
I’ve thought about doing volunteer work before. I volunteered once before, in my library and that was something I enjoyed doing, sadly the library closed when I was 19 but I love animals as well so doing some volunteer work again might be something good for me to do.

I’ll have a look after Christmas and see what’s about! Thanks again

It’s great to hear from you too!

C said:

What’s Christmas like in America?

Well winter looks vastly different depending on where you are in America. I’m in the Midwest, so it’s usually very cold and sometimes very snowy. It’s especially windy and snowy if you’re closer to the Great Lakes up north. Where I’m at is flat as a pancake, so it’s going to be frigid. I’m thinking this year we’ll probably get heaps of snow!

That’d be great if you ever get a chance to visit America! (However, might not be the best time right now with our current political climate ) If you do visit, one place I’d recommend is Vermont. Not much to do there, but it’s so pretty especially in autumn and winter. There’s also lots of good food there, because unlike the rest of America they don’t allow fast food joints to take over.

It is a rewarding job! Can be very stressful though, since I can’t control the job market. I’ve still got two guys I’ve been looking for work for since this spring, but I’ve had success with other clients. Overall it’s working well for now.

Ooo sorry to hear about the library gig closing. That sounds like the perfect place for someone with Autism to work. But yeah, volunteering is something to consider.