androbot01 wrote:
Pawing wrote:
Are you nt or are you on the spectrum?
I know how difficult making friends is and how much it sucks being lonely. I do have some tips though if you're interested.
I don't want to be patronising, I am on the spectrum and my methods have worked, though they are very difficult at first.
I'm autistic.
I'll bite ... what are your methods?
Well, I do not know you well nor do I know of your difficulties or how high your functioning is, so it may or may not work for you but like I said, for me it was very difficult at first. If you can, it really requires you to play the nt game of body language and facial interaction. They are very big on eye contact, to the point where it is almost impossible to 'hook' a friendship with an nt without it. I studied and tested this thoroughly, so of course I made many mistakes and found myself in many intensely awkward exchanges.
And it is exhausting at first. but with practice, it's as if you can strengthen yourself in it like an athlete can in a sport. like an nt studying maths who initially is easily exhausted by it, if they practice enough they become a little bit stronger.
So I strengthened this part of myself bit by bit. there are so many things to think about, like how long is appropriate to hold eye contact, when to smile, what to say and when to say it. the main things I think they require is eye contact and facial expression exchange, it's like expression tennis with them. for a friendship to feel meaningful for many people they seek displayed empathy and that can be as simple as repeating back to them what they just said but slightly reworded, with a little nod and a smile. then they know you have received what they have said and they find it comforting. i know for us this particular thing feels pointless, but to them it means a lot.
this all comes naturally to them and doesn't seem to really tire them out. it seems like hassle, but it is worth it. and you wonder 'why can't they love me and accept me the way I am'? well I figured while people studying, that there is a place inside everyone that does want to accept and love, but without those exchanges, they assume that
we don't want to. without those displays of expression and returned empathy, our intentions or need to bond, goes right over their heads.
so, perhaps all I have just said was stuff you already knew and if so, I can accept that. it's ok, killing a little time, because I know how it is to feel lonely and I absolutely hated it, before forcing myself into this stuff. just trying to help. i can give more info too if wanted.
let me know if you want some links or otherwise google 'counselling skills', because basic counselling skills are great to learn as basic tools for interacting meaningfully with people. that gets the ball rolling.