lol yeah, the grey sticky stuff 😋

me being autistic at the same time not knowing that was looked down upon: you gonna finish your fries??

yoooo, my first adult bed, furniture set, and laptop were from the trash. rich kids in college towns throw out the best stuff. it was a Compaq, and the only problem was overheating because it needed that heat sink lube.

Is asking questions about basic things an ADHD thing? I thought it was an autism thing.

Yep, already dropped of my mail-in ballot in person and received an email from the county election supervisor that my vote counted 🤠

I swear, we are the ultimate scapegoats for bullies. I’ve been going through a similar experience for a while. It’s like people try to find anything that they can criticize and use it to shame me rather than have an open and forthcoming discussion to address it. Being autistic, we’re always guessing how to do things in a world where everyone else knows the rules, which are meant to be followed, and which are meant to be violated.

Au: You’re violating a rule.

NT 1: Yeah, but it’s okay. It’s not a big deal because it doesn’t harm anyone and everyone else is doing it.

Au: violates rule and gets caught because they thought that’s normal and expected

NT 2: That is a rule. Why did you violate it?

Au: Because it doesn’t harm anyone and everyone else is doing it

NT 1 & 2: So now you’re snitching too?

Here’s another one. You learn a rule and apply it in the situation you learned it. However, you didn’t know it was applicable in other similar situations, so you don’t apply it. People get upset with you because they have seen you apply it in the first situation, so you “should have known” and therefore need to be punished. 😮‍💨

I don’t care how you walk, talk, or breathe. You be you. Don’t accept other people’s shame being dumped on you. If someone makes you feel bad about yourself, tell them that you don’t like what they do that makes you feel bad. If they keep doing it, stop being around them as much as possible. It’s not your responsibility to help others process their shame. You are your main responsibility and already working with a disadvantage. Make sure you’re okay ❤️

I would censor the work f–k because it might come off like you’re being passive aggressive and aren’t really trying. Reminds of the time the actor that played Burke on Grey’s Anatomy called the actor that played George a fa—t, then made a public apology saying he’s sorry he called him a fa—t and that he wont say fa—t again, except he said the word. People got even more pissed, and I think he was fired from the show. 🤦

I previously made a comment on how I’ve learned to apologize if you’re interested.

ive been disconnected. what happened?

exactly what i was thinking about. it was such a tense and shameful period.

thx! updated the title 🌳🌳🌳

you got it, dude 👶👍

“the sticks” doesn’t mean poor

Is there an informal term that would describe poor rural neighborhoods similar to ghetto/barrio?

When you’re poor, everything smells like whatever’s on sale.

That’s right!! For me, it was like whatever I had that was nice. If someone got me a nice shirt, I would protect that shirt and only wear it to special events that I knew would not place the shirt in any danger (physical activity, stains from cooking or painting, etc.). I kind of still do that and have a few shirts that are ~20 years old, a backpack that is 23 years old, and a multi-tool that’s about 21 yrs old. Never though that was associated with growing up poor, but it makes sense now.

Yooooo, I needed to hear a few of those. Thank you very much!

Same, but I didn’t marry them. I became nearly completely useless. Lost almost all friends, hobbies, work, goals, dreams, and even desire. I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror. Coming back has been incredibly difficult since I didn’t trust anyone to guide me nor myself. How do you get somewhere without direction? Lately, I think I’m on the right track, but I will never be my old self and that’s okay. My old self got me in that situation, so the new one will be better.

Below are three songs that I found validating during these times. Two are in English and one is in Spanish. If you don’t speak Spanish, I would happily translate the lyrics for you; just let me know.

Ren and Chinchilla

• How to Be Me

The Big Push

• Dignity

Residente

• René

This is genius! thanks for sharing 🙂

you don’t care about your produce! 🫢

Thank you very much!

I’ve heard that people use snow tires. How does that work? Does everyone have 2 sets of wheels at home that they switch with the seasons?

right, me too! 😁