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brightangel
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30 Apr 2015, 3:46 pm

The general consensus is that some things are enjoyable by every one. That is, the whole purpose of board games is 'fun for the whole family' and bubble baths are a luxury for all women. However, I seem to be the only one in the world that not only does not enjoy the 'normal' fun things but they downright irritate me! When I play most board games I get stressed, sad, and irritated...especially if there is no skill involved and I lose. I can tolerate games of skill a little more, even if I lose. The soft, relaxing music they play in elevators and spas make me want to scream. To sit in a bubble bath for more than about 90 seconds is torture. My mind is racing about all the things I need to do but can't because I am in the tub. If I read a book in the tub and distract my mind it helps a lot. It is considered relaxing and fun to go for a walk in the woods or go camping. YUCK! I much prefer the warm, calm wind blowing through a subway station to the variable, sometimes cold, wet wind of the great outdoors. How can I NOT like all the things that EVERYONE likes? Is that an autistic trait? Or is that a trait of some other personality disorder? Or is it just bad luck that I don't like what other people like and so therefore am always forcing myself to do what I hate or my other choice is to be alone? Do you like the 'fun' things of life that you are expected to like?



Raleigh
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30 Apr 2015, 4:16 pm

What is considered 'fun' is an individual thing. Just because other people find certain things enjoyable doesn't mean you have to enjoy them as well. Things other people consider 'fun' I find barely tolerable. I find stacking and sorting things fun. I volunteer in a library, where I have a great time stacking shelves and sorting books and I've met some really nice people as well who seem to 'get' what I'm all about.
If you don't fit in with the flock, find some other black sheep to hang out with who share your interests.
What do you find fun?


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olympiadis
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30 Apr 2015, 6:02 pm

Some of it may be just lack of connection with the hive-mind, and some of it may be anhedonia.



ToughDiamond
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30 Apr 2015, 7:46 pm

Olympiadis has just described in a nutshell my experiences with fun. Much of the time I just don't know what the mainstream get out of their stereotyped pleasures and why individual preferences don't seem to enter into the matter very much. Although I'm rarely in low spirits, I don't feel like saying "yippee!" very often these days.

I also think that Aspies' experiences while pursuing special interests can raise the bar so that the normal world seems a pretty dull place. But these days my enjoyment of those tends to be marred by the fear of what may happen to the rest of my life while I'm otherwise obsessed.



UnturnedStone
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30 Apr 2015, 8:00 pm

My idea of fun would not be considered mainstream.

I'd get much more fun and enjoyment from building a 3d model or completing a project than I would from going to a water park or on a roller coaster...

While I have been to water parks and on roller coasters, I don't appear to get the same enjoyment as most from them.

I hate bubble baths, and can only play board games that require skill and strategy (and I must be with the few friends that "get" me.

Elevator music? don't get me started on how irritating I find it, I was always wonder how people find it apparently calming.

ToughDiamond wrote:
Although I'm rarely in low spirits, I don't feel like saying "yippee!" very often these days.

Same here.



brightangel
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30 Apr 2015, 8:17 pm

The things I find fun are not acceptable to others and I often get criticized for it. I still try to 'have fun' but it seems that going off on my own is hurting my family and friends, which I don't mean to do. I just don't want to play another darn board game or sit and stare at a burning flame outside with a cold backside and mosquitos treating me like a dessert! I'm trying to balance my things with what the rest of the world wants but if I get stressed or depressed people tell me I don't get outdoors enough or take enough bubble baths and I end up doing more of what I don't like which makes the depression and stress worse. Nobody seems to understand me.



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30 Apr 2015, 8:34 pm

If the things you like to do arent illegal or hurting anyone, then really, you're fine. Who cares what others think?

I'm typically in the same boat with some things. I like board games and nature areas like forests, but that's about where it ends for me; most other things that are "normal" to like, such as watching TV, just bore me to death. Me being the way I am, I just outright refuse to do them. I figure, if someone else doesnt like that fact, well... tough. I aint doing it anyway.