Autism

Being allowed to do things my way, even if it makes no sense to others. I do lots of things differently to everyone else, because they work for me, and the people I live with are respectful of that. I've had to make lots of changes recently due to being in Autistic burnout, and that has resulted in me doing even more things "my way". Sometimes, when I'm struggling with speaking, it means saying things very briefly - one or two words, like "tea?" instead of "do you want a cup of tea?" or "out" when I need to leave a shop because it's overwhelming me. Other times, it's just being allowed to do my grounding routines, like getting my breakfast in peace, because I get muddled or distracted if someone is hovering round me in the kitchen while I do it.

Headphones and loud music

Constantly reminding myself that if people do something all the time, I should be able to do it. I just need to figure out how they're doing it as the first step. Yeah I still embarrass myself sometimes but it's taken me a lot further than just avoiding doing things or ducking assignments because I was afraid of the consequences of not knowing what to do.

I look at and treat humanity as if I'm observing and interacting with wild animals.

Don't think of autism as a disease. It's just your personality. The stigma on autism make people "diagnosed" with it think they're weird.

The truth is: everyone is weird. It's just there's a bunch of weirdos trying to make you think you're weird so they can pretend they're "normal".

I only speak to people when I'm not upset. If I get upset, I need at least 30 mins alone to calm down and if you try to communicate with me during that, you'll have a bad time. I also need time to prepare for and recover from social situations or overstimulating situations. Just those two have made a world of difference. I should also add that I have AuDHD, so it's a bit different than people with only autism.

Wearing exclusively loose/comfortable clothing, and having short hair.

Suddenly I had more mental bandwidth for a lot since I wasn’t constantly stressed by subconsciously processing extra sensory input.

YMMV to personal taste; adjust accordingly.

Rejecting society standard about "good living habits" and just do what I can

Explaining it to people. It's hard, but people eventually understand

For my adhd, slowing down. Taking slower options not always getting there as quickly as possible

ear plugs. life changing.

Getting a pair of glasses with FL-41 lenses.

I think a lot of us do this already, but I regain energy by spending time with my special interests and by stimming. I need to do both daily while being alone.

I also like to be with my family, but I also really need that alone time when I can shake my legs and fidget and read about bats or something.

Consistently working out, the routine and predictably of it is surprisingly good for the mental side. It has done wonders for my emotional regulation and actually learning to notice emotions in my body, kinda like mindfulness meditation. Under the barbell i am forced to focus on my body and how my body reacts and moves, even after working out. Figuring out how my body functions as i was never handed a manual to run it.
Every time i bend over or squat down to pick something up, the weakened muscles remind themselves and once again force me to focus on my body making memmore aware of it or just flex, not for showing off reasons. Just for my own pleasure.

Of course the physical side is an added benefit as well.

It has become the highlight of my day and i am in a worse mood if i miss it or it gets disrupted, which is rare.

Added benefit is that others are assuming I'm highly disciplined as well.

Edit: dieting aspect as well. Fully tracking my calories and weighing food and myself and eating rather monotone meals up to the same meal every morning. Makes me look even more disciplined and health conscious.

I'm just doing it for fun and i find it easier.

Um, I gave up and went through a period of acute suicidality that required intervention. I didn't die, but the parts of me that worried about stuff sure did.

I am much happier now because I know now that I can check myself literally whenever I want.

So, you know, however you want to clean up the phrasing on that, I guess.

When talking to people try to see what they want. Do they wanna hear a story? They want advice? They want an ear to do catharsis? Sometimes just ask even. Sounds stupid to ask but it helps. Using that one as a segway. People just sometimes assume that something is like that if you say it with enough confidence I learned a little bit of acting so I go by the character and pretend I have the confidence. One great example I used loads of time at work is sometimes I go to some people and if I say "ya know I have my stupid question of the week voucher and I'm gonna use it with you" then ask whatever I need to know usually when I think they assume I know something I do not really know. Trick is I totally invented that dynamic and I do not keep track of it and ask away.

am I the only one who finds what I do to deal with life is tough enough and can't imagine adding to it. Its like I want to read the list but it also feels like it will be exhausting just to read.

Years before I had the bulbs (or self-awareness) to do this, but dim the lights, switch to wall lights / upside-down ceiling lampshades, kill the lights… and suddenly I’m not constantly a bunch of seething snakes