"I am not made for twenty voices talking all at once." Autistic people like me aren't. But neurotypical people think this is standard operating procedure...
Even introverted little ppl can grow into sociable ppl in time and with the right will - even autistic ppl - but their essential selves remain the same. And what becomes of them? Well, they become writers! Of course! What else?
Yeah as an autistic, I can't deal with such noise and unstructured (random) socializing. I'm an extrovert, actually, so I get energized by socializing. But it must be in a quiet and structured environment, where we talk about things we actually care about.
Makes me wonder the crossover between autism and introversion. Not that it really matters, I guess. I think the important part is knowing what we need. :)
There is some crossover, but they are also seperate in and of themselves. Not all introverts are autistic, and not all autistics are introverts (they just may seem that way).
I was very lucky in that I was in school with the same kids the first ten grades of my life. Kids who saw me as “just Jack” when I was different because, well, that was me, was all. Then the horror show that was high school happened…
That child sitting in a closet lost in a book... that could have been me.
I could flip a switch and seem so outgoing for short periods of time. Enough so I kept hearing I was an extrovert. But those short periods of time would drain me. I found sitting behind a guitar singing; or sitting at the piano accompanying myself as I sang allowed me to shut out all the socializing-within-the-family demands. As musicians, my parents guarded our time making music. Shutting myself in a book gained some recharging-the-battery time, but not as much as music.
Oh same. Little bursts of time. But wow I burned out fast. I got better at is as I got older, but still need to go hide in a book with just one light on
Nancy, I was a publicist of all things before I retired. I performed - was a regular Chatty Cathy. (A Boomer era doll) But oh my was I exhausted afterwards. I'd hide in a book as a child; later, in my poetry.
Beautifully written, Linda! All too relateable, even though I was the only child in our little household. I cried and I smiled... Thank you for the inspiration!
This made me think of the time when my mom realized the only way to punish me was to take my books LOL I was this kid. I learned to smile and nod when everyone was talking at the same time. Loved this!
That makes me so happy. You are so welcome, and thank you, too
"I am not made for twenty voices talking all at once." Autistic people like me aren't. But neurotypical people think this is standard operating procedure...
Beautiful! I loved it. So true.
Even introverted little ppl can grow into sociable ppl in time and with the right will - even autistic ppl - but their essential selves remain the same. And what becomes of them? Well, they become writers! Of course! What else?
Right? I have great social skills. But boy, do I need quiet after
ME TOO
Yeah, a lot of people just can't with that. Lot of writers, too.
Not all of us.
Yeah as an autistic, I can't deal with such noise and unstructured (random) socializing. I'm an extrovert, actually, so I get energized by socializing. But it must be in a quiet and structured environment, where we talk about things we actually care about.
Great start to my day. Thanks, Linda.
Thanks, Denise. Also, just found your email in the mess that's my inbox so I'll catch up today :)
A nice way to start the day - with coffee, of course.
Of course. Medium roast Peru for me lol
Lovely article. Linda can you please tell me if it’s ok to use chat gpt? As long as the original is mine. ?
I wonder how many other people felt like you were writing about their childhood. Wonderful!
Among writers, probably quite a few as I'm seeing :)
A lot of us out here.
I cried. This is me as a kid too. And now; my days of fitting in, masking, are done now. Only another autistic could possibly understand.
Makes me wonder the crossover between autism and introversion. Not that it really matters, I guess. I think the important part is knowing what we need. :)
There is some crossover, but they are also seperate in and of themselves. Not all introverts are autistic, and not all autistics are introverts (they just may seem that way).
Yes. This. 💚💚💚💚💚
I was very lucky in that I was in school with the same kids the first ten grades of my life. Kids who saw me as “just Jack” when I was different because, well, that was me, was all. Then the horror show that was high school happened…
Yeah, same Jack. Grade 1-8 all the same kids. Then high school happened.
That child sitting in a closet lost in a book... that could have been me.
I could flip a switch and seem so outgoing for short periods of time. Enough so I kept hearing I was an extrovert. But those short periods of time would drain me. I found sitting behind a guitar singing; or sitting at the piano accompanying myself as I sang allowed me to shut out all the socializing-within-the-family demands. As musicians, my parents guarded our time making music. Shutting myself in a book gained some recharging-the-battery time, but not as much as music.
Oh same. Little bursts of time. But wow I burned out fast. I got better at is as I got older, but still need to go hide in a book with just one light on
Once I recognized that I was not an extrovert, I became much more protective of my need to step back and take the space I need.
Nancy, I was a publicist of all things before I retired. I performed - was a regular Chatty Cathy. (A Boomer era doll) But oh my was I exhausted afterwards. I'd hide in a book as a child; later, in my poetry.
I thought you were writing my story. Wow!🥰😢
So many of us. So many. Seeing it in the comments does my heart a world of good
Beautifully written, Linda! All too relateable, even though I was the only child in our little household. I cried and I smiled... Thank you for the inspiration!
So many of us, Andrea. You're very welcome and thank you, too! :)
Introversion is just awareness turned inside out.
That's a good one, David.
God, you write good! If I weren't content with creating poems, I'd be jealous.
Absolutely beautiful, Linda. Yes, I can relate to a lot of this. I suspect many of us here can 😊
Right? So many. The comments just do my heart so much good
💜
I am filled up by your piece. Thank you.
A finer compliment I could not wish for. Thank you Evelyn
This made me think of the time when my mom realized the only way to punish me was to take my books LOL I was this kid. I learned to smile and nod when everyone was talking at the same time. Loved this!
That made me laugh. My mom would say go to your room. I'd run. The books were there. lol
Yes, that's exactly how I feel. To this day, I prefer nature to people. Most people. I've been lucky to find a few
And we all turned into writers, it seems.