this post was submitted on 26 Nov 2025
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So I am not diagnosed but everyone around me says I am textbook 'tismed (tbh I think I'm just weird and angry) but something that helped me feel like this stuff was less frustrating was
a) reading anthropology papers to understand why all this stuff happens (it's about belonging, recognising other's as fully human, and a replacement of the physical grooming other apes do)
b) conceptualising interacting with humans as interacting with any other animal. For some reason I felt a lot more comfortable performing non hostility for non human animals in their weird mannerisms and habits, but we're also just animals and if I can like avoid prolonged eye contact with a stressed out non human, I can make some for stressed out humans etc.
not directly relevant but one of my favourite wild animal interactions was a time when I was kayaking and came upon a mom and pup seal sunning themselves on the rocks. I could tell mom was nervous so I didn't want to get close and scare them, but the two of them were very cute so I didn't want to leave. First I paddled past and gave them space, panning across them without staring, to make it clear that I saw them but wasn't reacting like a predator. Then a loud speed boat came along and I could tell that agitated mom, so I positioned myself between the boat and the seals and faced away from them, demonstrating that I was also concerned about the boat. That really landed and they relaxed, so after that, I let the current push me back along the shore closer to the seals.
this was them. ultimately I got about 25' away and we just vibed for 20 minutes while I drifted around.
That's... actually really helpful. I find I read animal body language really well, so putting it in those terms really makes sense to me. Cheers.