I don't have the spoons to explain why I feel my neurodivergence is making this worse, but I need feedback or insight from other ND people on a unique experience. This will be a long thread (added in replies) but I'm hopeful there will be a few kind readers who either relate or have something supportive to share.
Here goes:
1/ @actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd #recoveringfromreligion #LateDiagnosedAutism #actuallyautistic#neurodivergent
but here I am, trying to have spaces to find connection and ASD or post religion spaces seems to be the safest 🤔 (every time I decide to leave exreligious spaces from deconstruction topic burnout, I find my way back because its the place I find like minded people) I guess I'm just here to vent about how f*cking terribly cruel shunning is.
5/
@Ilovechai@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd
That's rough.
I don't know if I am any good at advising on this, because really I don't have a lot of close old-fashioned RL friends.
Sometimes I wonder if that sort of friendship was maybe just a result of not having any other options.
Judging by old literature, maybe those friendships weren't all that great anyway, except when people got lucky somehow.
Lots of codependent relationships, lots of having to put up with people just because that's what a person was supposed to do.
Best I can say, I think, is that yeah, what you say feels relatable.
I don't have a background in religious community, let alone a high-demand one.
@Ilovechai@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd oufff sounds rough! I've never been in the situation to leave those type of religious systems as my parents are U-boat Christians (only show up 1-2 a year) and I've been consciously atheistic since my teens but I do relate to feeling lack of a RL support system. For me the nerd space has been the best (TTRPGs, Magic, comics, boardgames etc) & I think is disproportionately filled with other ND peeps. There are people with similar social needs out there!
There are a couple of autism-supportive groups who get table/tent spaces at our local pride. Although there are some church booths there, too, it's not exactly what you'd call a sacred space. The whole religion thing is rendered irrelevant. Super friendly, and the people are there to do nothing but connect people to other people, and organizations.
If you want to get really friendly, and have the chutzpa to be pro-active, volunteer at one.
@Ilovechai@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd I’m so sorry this is happening. I’m super biased against religion. I belonged to my church’s youth group as a teen so I’m a bit familiar with that
Navigating community conflicts like those seem REALLY tough for us, i guess bc of the overlapping details. I’ve been trying to find/join/glom onto communities recently & I try to go in with zero expectations & 💯 self compassion, and I’m finding slow success in bits
I can’t relate to losing a support system like that but I can relate to not having one despite wanting to… because I always wanted a supportive group of people to belong to but never found one. What happens is that I’m always there for anyone who needs me, and no one ever is for me, when I need something.
I feel like a lot of neurotypical relationships (especially larger groups) have transactions which are either impossible or very taxing for us. In other words, we are never able to receive any support from these so called “support systems”, we just give.
Personally, I’m trying to be at peace with the fact that I will never belong to a large, consistent group of people because while I have many things to add to such a group no matter what brand they gathered under, no group has what I need.
@CynAq It's such a strange thing. Even when they give, it's on their terms. It's not giving for giving's sake, as we do. I never felt seen, until I met my OH. We're both uncomfortable with taking. Must be conditioning, as well as our autism. @Ilovechai@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd
@Ilovechai@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd I started going to the dog park, tho I have no dog, for my mental health. Dog owners get it & are supportive. I went for the dogs, but met some people who I am slowly getting to know. I am finding as I chat, share my pov, laugh, & talk about some of these things they have also shared with me some of their stories. It made me realize so many are just broken & shattered & feeling the same struggle. It’s free. And if nothing else…dogs & fresh air.
@Ilovechai@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd it has been interesting to see some of these women who feel they relate to me, when I say I self dx’d autistic, and how my autism affects how I think about whatever social construct we happen to be talking about, wonder aloud if they might be too.
I used to love going to the dog park. It's easy to talk to dog people, all you have to do is be interested in their dog. No social awkwardness for me. Also, I recognise the dogs and remember their names, not true of their humans.
Thanks again for all those who have been so considerate and responded to this thread. It makes me curious if there's a discord space where you hang out? Those who offered DMs ...I'd be open to it, and it's also more comfortable for me to respond than initiate, or to chat in a more private space regularly before doing one-on-one (at least for me). So, if such a server exists, do share (either in DM or comments) 😉🙏🏻
@CynAq@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd
100% relatable.
I'm truly hoping to land in a place of more contentment and acceptance as you have... I'm a strange mix of needing a lot of downtime and deep connections.. it's a complex balance I am still navigating and working to identify for myself.
Nod. My partner seems to be the only reciprocal source so far and I'm so grateful 🙏🏻 I also know I'm my best when there's at least one other social anchor in my life since I have more need to connect.
It's true. I've done a lot of grief work to accept the reality of the limits of these past connections. And it seems they did fill some needs I'm now working to find healthier, more fitting ways to meet. Ty for sharing your thoughts.