Do you ever feel trapped by your limitations?

Post Reply New Topic

Yes, I feel that I am impaired by my disorder but in no way do I feel limited or threatened by my impairments. I have some strengths that some NTs will never have! You got to stop depressing yourself about these 'trappings' and think of them as impairments or obstacles that you can overcome. I think everybody on here could overcome their social fear if they really pushed themselves like I have over the years.

I feel trapped by a world that doesn't realize everyone has different limitations. If there were mass transport everywhere, for instance, a lot of my problems would be solved.

Not at all. I've never felt limited by anything, really, outside of external forces.

Does autism limit me? No. I tend to ignore things I find awkward (limitations). So let me explain what I mean.

No one person is good at everything. Therefore, each person on this earth has limitations. A short person might find basketball limiting, but find that he or she is an excellent jockey. The 6 and a half foot tall basketball star excels at basketball, but cannot become a jockey. A left-brained person might be good at left-brained things whereas the right-brained person is the opposite. We each have strengths and weaknesses. It's like an automobile. A minivan is good at hauling the family around whereas the sports car cannot hold a large family comfortably. Nothing is designed to do everything well. There are always challenges. That's how I deal with autism. Autism has given me strengths that many NTs find challenging, and there are things NTs do that I find challenging. As humans, we tend to engage in things we find we do well at, and realize there are things we don't do so well at. That's how I operate. I tend to ignore those things I don't do well. Just because it is something that NTs do doesn't mean I am suppose to do it. I will do my own things I like, and the NTs can do the things they like.

Glider, I love your post. I appreciate that you reminded me that I am good at so many things. I'm very creative and analytical. I'm thoughtful and efficient and I can go on an on. I don't have to feel limited, because I am dealing with health issues related to Autism. I don't have to sink into sad feelings and feel sorry for myself. It is not productive for me to do this and does not serve me in any way. Thank you for your post. Ya know what else, I'm a good Mom to my son and I have a good job that I work hard at every day in the title insurance field. Reading your post helped me to change my thoughts and to look at myself in a positive way.

I forgot to tell you I love the ending of your post when you wrote "My journey has just begun"

That statement is so positive and powerful and that's a good way to start every day, to wake up and say that out loud!!

You passed on your positive energy to me and I appreciate that very much.

Yes! I certainty do.

To a point, but not very much. I know that no non scammer will ever want me for a job, and that I can't wash my own hair or find a girlfriend unless it's online.

Yes, I do feel limited. My biggest dream all through school was to study English in England or Scotland, y'know preferably some fancy university. I knew I could do it intellectually but slowly I came to the realization that my mental health would not be able to keep up. I'm extremely sensitive to pressure and stress, and after having been through as many depressions as I have I've had to give up on my dream. This meant rethinking my entire life. Fortunately I've taken quite a few big steps lately and I once again see the glimmer of the tunnel ending. I'm not going to live the life I dreamed of before, but maybe I should stop chasing impossible fantasies and start doing the things that actually makes me happy. Unfortunately one of the things I love the most is studying. Oh well! No one's stopping me from studying on my own, although it does get a bit lonely at times. When I move to a bigger town I'll take some classes just to get the 'rush'.

I've accepted that I would have to "sell my soul to the devil" to be like most people. And unlike some of you I was able to fake being like others for a long time, had friends, went to parties and did all those things. But I was dying inside because I wasn't being true to myself. I'm nervous about getting a girlfriend because I'm worried she won't accept my quirks and oddities that I've learned to only share around those I'm closest too. That is currently the only fear I have. Long story, but this hot blond in my physics class has been checking me out for a while and I'm finally gonna make a move... if it's not too late haha. I realized that I never truly wanted to be like all those super-social people because their lives, despite what you may see, aren't any more fulfilling. Yeah, they go out to parties and have more sex, friends, and social memories, but I have this world, in my mind, that allows me to be anything I want to be, go anywhere I want to go, and understand almost any material, given the proper focus. I find people envying me for my intellectual abilities and curiosity I know would be impossible without my autism. So yeah, I accept my limitations but I also see that my limits, intellectually speaking, are almost non-existent. Also, the friends I do have, maybe 1 or 2 at this point in my life, are true, honest and good to me. They love me for me and not because I'm popular, not because I've got the latest this or that, but because I'm me. People frequently say to me "you're not like most people." And it's not a dig, it's a compliment. I feel like this boils down to the old saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side." Well, I can tell you this, I've been over there, I've seen that side of life and it ain't nothing special. All the people here have an opportunity that most people don't have. Because we are unhinged, socially, we have the ability to truly find ourselves. No sense in wasting our lives trying to be something we're not, right? My suggestion to all of you is to, instead, spend your time focusing on the positives in your life, focus on what you CAN do and forget about what you can't...

Yes.......I want to have a job and contribute to society but the combination of my ASD and learning disability will make that very hard if not impossible. I would also like to go out and socialize with my one friend and her other friends on occasions like her birthday (today) and not act like the most socially awkward person in the history of the universe.......and not have issues with sensory overload so that I can't just relax and enjoy having dinner with 20 people in a restaurant........I was wearing earplugs but I had to close my eyes at one point and tune everything out.

I'd stay in my room, sleep early so I can get up early to enjoy the full day exploring. If the evening shallow baring is expected from me by the family powers that be, I'd compromise - every other night. If logistically possible to return to the hotel by myself, then every night but for 1 hour.

I don't see a need to try to be good at what I'm not, while neglecting what I enjoy and am good at. The real limitation/impairment may be in your frame of mind, that doesn't let you enjoy life on your own terms as much as is currently possible.