On “Energy Budgeting” and Acknowledging Internal Autistic Re

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Friday, May 28, 2021
On “Energy Budgeting” and Acknowledging Internal Autistic Realities
By Anne Corwin

Great article! Thank you for posting it!

I know I don't have enough energy to read more than the excerpts you posted, or to skim a bit more from the link. I'm saving it to finish later but it's very insightful.

I'm compounded by ADHD and EF issues.

I particularly like this point:

"For example, whether you’re getting a kid ready for school or taking them on a big family trip to an amusement park (or anything in between), take note of the fact that this entails packing, a car, bus, train, or plane ride, standing in line, etc. One thing non-autistic people are prone to underestimating, in my experience, is the energy cost of just getting places and existing in those places and then getting home again, readjusting to that, and navigating all the transitions in between."

That's my life. A simple outing like walking the dog or buying milk can become exhausting because of all the steps involved, and the blast of sensory input. The idea of major travel is absolutely disabling at present. I'd rather look at photos than summon the energy to actually carry through with a trip away from home.

Thanks again for posting - I can't wait to read this when I have an iota of energy or wherewithal.

Agreed. I think we need to recognise what is beneficial to our “selves” as a whole. An opportunity to create and the benefits that go with that, in my opinion, far outweight any offcuts, paint cleaning, etc if progress made gives us a boost in this life. There is always another opportunity to put things “right” on another day. Making progress artistically has massive benefits to body, spirit and soul. Make peace with the importance of what you can do on any given day, versus what needs doing in the aftermath. It WILL be done, as you are in control here. Precious creative progress ... nothing beats that!

And speaking of energy levels and artistic progress,
I haven't been up to using the epoxy putty to sculpt the rest of his hat but I was good for taking a couple minutes today to go ahead and slap some paint on his pants.

Not the progress I was hoping to make but the progress made is far more encouraging than having made no progress.

So cool! Any progress is good progress.

These are the guys I’m working on at the moment ...

Sure is

The relationship between where the article mentions the energy to put things away & the diseases I mentioned is why the hobby table looks like this,
(and before taking the photo I took maybe 2 minutes to put some brown paint on the guy's shoes)
(he is going to be the fireman for the locomotive in photo & will be standing on the apron taking a drink)
(am going to paint Preiser's wine bottle to look like a milk bottle since this loco hauls a train of refrigerator cars, 'reefers' for several dairy companies)

This is a table to be proud of! Seriously! It’s inspiring in all the right ways. That photo sets my soul on fire! It always amazes me when I hear from people who have zero hobbies. I can’t imagine how that must feel. I live for my creative hobbies and for meaningful connections from others who understand that “I am my work. My work is me”.

Yes ... but for everything, there is a time ... we are challenged to appreciate that at different times of our lives we will have strength, at others we will be challenged. Appreciating what we CAN do on any given day, starting afresh each day, takes strength of character. You have huge gifts. Use them when you can. On the days you can’t, take stock and remember that you have already done so much!

Yup ... I was hoping you might see that