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Post your achievements!

Oblomov

So many of us - understandably - come on here to discuss our problems, I thought (after reading cricket123's recent thread) it would be refreshing and perhaps inspiring if we had a thread to post our achievements.  It could be anything that feels an achievement to you - something that you hadn't done before, or which you did better than last time, or caused you less anxiety than previously. 

The fact that it might not be an achievement for someone else does not matter!  I'm sure we can all find something we've done that felt like a significant step forward in our lives.  Sometimes we (I include myself) dwell so much on our problems it's hard to recognise the positive actions on which we can build.

I assure you this thread is not about ignoring or minimising our problems (I've been diagnosed with severe depression quite recently).  Nor do I want anyone to feel bad by comparing themselves to others.  It's simply about celebrating whatever feels an achievement to you.

For me, even making this post is an achievement as (though I've responded to other people's posts) it's the first time I've had the confidence to start a topic.  It feels a bit risky - will someone write, "we already have a thread for that" or "your topic depresses me because I feel I haven't achieved anything"?  Or will it just be ignored!?

Another achievement is that a few months ago I stood up and spoke in front of 80 people at a friend's funeral.  As I spend most of my time alone and am extremely self-conscious, that was a very significant step, but I felt that I had to do it to honour my late friend - and I did.

  • I have made some achievement with my hoarding, selling off some items from a collection that has got out of control. Did spark acquiring some stuff, but I turned down what I still feel would have been a fantastic deal thinking about adding to my burden by buying it. At its worst I bought over 300 items in one year, past year have dropped that down to about 20, this year I have bough roughly the same, but have sold 25. I have decided to let go of things I have become really attached too.

    Still making it in to work is another achievement with everything that has been going on recently.

  • Telstar said:

    Hi Oblomov,

    Standing up in front of 80 people is an achievement to be proud of! You're correct, it is a significant step, and wanting to honour your friend was the reason you did it - I can't think of a better tribute to your friend than that.

    Well done!

    Thanks, Telstar.  At the risk of "blowing my own trumpet" excessively, I added another achievement last Friday when I did one-hour interview, on camera, in which I spoke about my adult life with Asperger's, related mental health issues and experiences with GPs.  The resulting footage will used in a video documentary which I hope will help other people.

    Although everyone said I was very courageous to do it, and it was a bit stressful, this wasn't in fact as difficult for me as things that other people do every day!  Does anyone else find it easier to do things that would normally be regarded as very challenging?

    Thanks for the other responses to this thread too.  I can identify with Trainspotter's remark about the deflation that comes after having achieved something, but I suppose the answer is to set a new goal right away, or have one already lined up.  At least we should try to maintain a reasonable level of slightly challenging activities.  I don't think the next achievement always has to be bigger than the last.

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Oblomov, you are absolutely right to make this conscious effort to recognise the things that you can do (without ignoring or forgetting that there are the things one can't do). This is all part of accepting ones diagnosis and where we fit into the world.

    I have had a good week, it seems I will get through my probationary period in my new job which is a great relief and marks a big change to the situation that I was in 3 years ago when things had sunk very low in my job at that time. Things came to a crisis and getting my diagnosis then was the start of the climb out of that hole. The forum has been a great source of information and challenging debate during that time and I couldn't have done this on my own so I owe many thanks to all who have put up with me and my posts.

  • joining this forum was an achievement for me.  feeling good today so doing what i can to find stuff for my son who has asperger/autism and his homeschooled/pt school transitioning.

    found some stuff on internet safety to use so thought that would be good to engage and came across this looking at schools.

    funnily enough i struggle with social anxiety/depression and am convinced i am on the spectrum too so do i do something about it  or leave it.  just going to drs for a repeat prescription is a challenge in itself.

  • I think many of us don't recognise our acievements simply because they were what we were seeking to do.  Disappointments are easier to recognise as we did not achieve what we were seeking.

    I can get quite disappointed by achieving something.  It seems as if the whole purpose of the quest has gone and leaves me in a state of limbo while I look for something else.

    Perhaps this is why I am a perfectionist.  I want to carry on trying to achieve improvement and this gives purpose.  I don't want to rest on my laurels.

    Or is this just my autistic way of thinking?

  • Hi Oblomov,

    Standing up in front of 80 people is an achievement to be proud of! You're correct, it is a significant step, and wanting to honour your friend was the reason you did it - I can't think of a better tribute to your friend than that.

    Well done!