Hey everyone! It’s @neurodivergentmillennial here, and I want to take a moment to share a recent experience that really resonated with my journey living with both autism and ADHD. If you’re anything like me, you know that frustration can feel like a constant on-and-off switch that’s far too often stuck in the “on” position. And when that happens, it can lead to some pretty major meltdowns. Trust me, I’ve been there—when things don’t go my way, I can go from calm to chaos pretty quickly.
This past week, I returned from some time off work, which usually means a relief from external expectations. But returning, I found myself facing some internal pressure to get things done, particularly updating my website. For those of you who’ve followed my journey, you might remember I used to be @neurodivergentBCBA. After a lot of reflection, I decided to pivot to @neurodivergentmillennial, which feels much more aligned with who I am now. But with this shift, I also had to renew my website access, and it turned out to be a bit more tricky than I expected.
Now, as someone who isn’t exactly tech-savvy, stepping into this process felt daunting. I got the domain, but when it came time to renew the website, nothing was working. Cue the internal spiral of frustration! In the past, this would have derailed me entirely. You might have caught me struggling to suppress the urge to throw my laptop against the wall. But believe it or not, I managed to keep my cool this time around. There was a live chat option available, and while I wasn’t anticipating any positive outcome, I decided to give it a shot.
And guess what? I was pleasantly surprised! I ended up chatting with a live agent who not only understood my problem but also fixed it in no time—turns out a little math error on my end was the culprit. But, and here’s the big takeaway for me, I realized something important: I wasn’t angry, despite everything not going as planned.
Let’s break down why I think I was able to handle this situation without losing my cool:
1. Hypnosis for Letting Go: Recently, I’ve been listening to a hypnosis session focused on letting go of the little things. It’s been a practice in mindfulness, helping me to reduce that frustration and anger that usually bubbles to the surface when things don’t align with my expectations.
2. Second Job Relief: Having a second job has eased my financial burdens and, with that, given me a greater sense of stability. With fewer worries, my mind can stay clearer, which allows me to approach tech challenges with a bit more patience.
3. Therapy and Analysis: I’ve been putting in the work and going to therapy regularly. We’re digging deeper into my thoughts and feelings, which has made me more aware of how I react to stress and frustration. This self-awareness has been an absolute game-changer for managing my emotions.
In the spirit of Dr. Seuss, “Whatever the reason the extra work or therapy I’m getting out of this hole of empty.” That phrase resonates deeply with me right now. It reminds me that while our paths may be riddled with challenges, the work we put into ourselves can yield profound results.
So, if you’re also navigating the tricky waters of ADHD, autism, or any form of neurodivergence, take heart! Each challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. And remember, if a tech issue arises that feels insurmountable, you’re not alone in experiencing frustration. But with the right tools and support, you too can find new ways to manage those feelings and keep moving forward.
Here’s to growth, resilience, and all the little wins along the way!
Until next time,
@neurodivergentmillennial ✌️💜