G'day from Downunder

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G'day everyone. After 46 years of feeling like an alien from a different planet, I've finally discovered (for myself... Still not professionally diagnosed, yet) that I'm an Aspie. I'm sure many of you have heard it all before ("she's just a shy child", "she's oversensitive", "it's just a panic-attack", "you just need to be around more people", "why are you so reclusive?", blah... blah, so on and so forth.) For many years, I believed there was something fundamentally different in the way I "saw" the world and processed information, but I just couldn't get others to "get it." I now know it's simply that my brain is wired differently, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's a huge relief to finally know what it is, and that I am not alone in being this way. Over the years, I have learnt so many coping/acting skills to pass off as a neurotypical that most people who meet me wouldn't have a clue... Unless they REALLY get to know me! Then they'll see how odd and quirky I really am. Most people don't stick around long enough, though, usually when things get more relaxed and go from acquaintance to potential friendships. That's when I slip-up and I end up doing what I call "an Aspie social faux-pas." I have very few friends (only one local and a few internet ones) and that sometimes gets to me. I struggle terribly with trying to forge friendships with women; I'm not into the "girly" stuff like shopping, make-up, gossiping (one of my worst pet-peeves), etc. I like computers, woodworking (I have more powertools than my husband), arts/crafts and building things with my hands. I'm lucky that I have a loving, understanding husband who gets me. Having no kids, both of us having self-employed jobs, and having no family members nearby means it can get rather lonely and isolating at times... Especially for me (my husband doesn't care much for social interaction.) Well... That's me in a nutshell! I'm hoping to get to know other Aspies on this forum, share life experiences and find mutual support. Cheers from Oz!

Welcome to Wrong Planet from another antipodean (there are a few of us here).

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Hi! I'm from Downunder too, specifically NSW. Which state are you in?

It's so nice to have that 'ah-ha' moment, isn't it? The reason I feel different, is because I am! And that's okay

Thanks everyone. I'm looking forward to getting to know y'all.

@oceanrollercoaster - I'm in sunny QLD... Mind you, it's bloody cold, right now. LOL!

Hey Metamorph welcome.

Hey RoadRatt!