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  • ZumbadorZumbador@mefi.social
    Jul 7, 2026, 7:19 PM

    At my most recent session with my occupational therapist, I heard myself telling her that one of the reasons I'm struggling to draw is because it's so soothing and comforting and although I know it's not rational, I'm scared that "it will stop working" so I just don't do it.

    Thinking about that, I realise how often I do this. I have my self-care and self-regulation strategies in place, but I don't use them because I'm scared they won't work and then what?

    So I've been trying to stop doing that. Am drawing, listening to my favourite music playlist, reading, writing.

    #ActuallyAutistic #Anxiety

    A drawing in pen and watercolour of two serious looking people with fish heads and human faces in a dark and bubbly place.
    A pen and watercolour drawing of three people with overlapping faces. One of them has too many eyes and mouths, one has a big cat-like mask-face and horns. There are thorns and leaves too.
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Replies

  • ZumbadorZumbador@mefi.social
    Jul 8, 2026, 6:04 PM

    My occupational therapist had an interesting response to the idea in my previous post, about worrying that things I find enjoyable might "stop working" so I avoid doing them.

    She said that when she feels that way, she tells herself that if the activity no longer feels helpful, that might be because it's done it's work and she's ready to move on to the next thing, having gotten enough from that thing.

    Definitely something for me to think about!

    (also so awesome to have an autistic therapist who is speaking from her own experience)

    #ActuallyAutistic #Anxiety

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  • slow learner deep feeler🦋🌿❤️‍🔥vervain@sunny.garden
    Jul 7, 2026, 7:39 PM

    @Zumbador

    I really like these, especially the second one. It feels like a nonverbal expression that I can almost name. Fwiw.

    I'm glad you're letting yourself use your strategies. Music is necessary for me these days. So much so that I have started buying hard copies because if streaming gets interrupted, that would be a hardship.

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  • ZumbadorZumbador@mefi.social
    Jul 7, 2026, 7:59 PM

    @vervain yes I'm also having those thoughts on my music and podcast episodes. They are so ephemeral

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  • slow learner deep feeler🦋🌿❤️‍🔥vervain@sunny.garden
    Jul 7, 2026, 8:17 PM

    @Zumbador

    Oh thanks, I hadn't even considered podcast episodes. There's a lot.

    I heard an interview of Don Was recently. He was talking about when he was young and trying to find the life he wanted. He would get discouraged and lose his way. His solution was to listen to side 2 of Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil. That refocused him enough to continue building.

    It is an example of how important art can be, how actionable.

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