Pillar Two: Autism, Mental Illness, Etc.

Autism, Mental Illness, et cetera- personal experiences and strategies for stress relief:

I’m an autistic nature photographer.

I’m also ADHD and dyslexic and I have sensory processing disorder.

I also have a host of mental illnesses.

For me these conditions are all intensely personal,

because they shape the way in which I experience life from my thoughts and motivations to my words and actions.

Having so many diagnoses,

it is difficult to relate to humans in general.

It is somewhat easier to relate to someone with at least one common diagnosis.

I am part of several online communities for each of these.

Some things I can relate to, other things I cannot.

The best stress reliever that I know of is experiencing nature.

If you can’t get to an exciting state park,

perhaps go to the city park on the next block.

Or walk down the street and admire the flowers planted in your neighbors’ yards.

Listen as the birds serenade you.

Watch the squirrels bury a walnut or two.

Adore the fragile beauty of butterflies flitting about.

What if you don’t have any diagnoses?

Does that mean that you aren’t included?

It simply means that you are a part of the larger community who cares about the people in these groups and you are ready to lend a listening ear to their troubles.

Remember to not project yourself onto us.

And above all do not ever judge anyone.