For some reason my brain came up with an idea of a society that's stuck in a time loop. Like Bill Murray, from Groundhog Day. Except everyone remembers the day before, not just one person. But each day, everything is set to the exact state it was in on the day the time loop started.
And I mean, like, mass chaos at first, right?
Real purge shit. But like, it'd get old, yeah?
And so eventually everyone settles down and basically re-establish the social contract
And murdering and shit is just considered like, a total dick move.
Eventually, every single person on earth will have lived out every permutation of the same 24 hour period. Everyone would have literally done everything.
It would be extra fucked up if the time loop ended, and we had just a planet full of people who had lived millennia in a world with no consequences, suddenly snapping back to the "real" world
This weed is some good shit

Notes on Self-Care for Autistic People by Dr. Megan Anna Neff

Mental Self-Care

Internalized Ableism

Some signs of internalized ableism include:

• Doubting your abilities due to being autistic
• Apologizing for acting neurodivergent
• Masking
• Internalized Stereotypes

Try to notice and challenge these thoughts as they come up.

Embrace Stimming

Stimming has many benefits.

• Helps you focus
• Provides control, homeostasis, comfort, and security
• Feels soothing due to brain chemistry
• Satisfies sensory seekers

Regulate Emotions Through Movement

Rhythmic movement like dancing, pacing, jumping, or skating helps to release pent-up energy, put you in touch with your body, and feel more grounded.

Identify your values

List your top five values, or search for an online "values card sort" such as this one. Living in sync with your values promotes positive mental health.

Engage in Your Special Interests

Some positive effects:

• Reduces stress
• Helps with emotional regulation
• Helps you to feel more energetic and grounded
• Can help you bond with others over shared interests

Professional Help

Building Your Health Care Team

• Find professionals experienced with autistic patients.
• Get recommendations from local autistic communities
• When receiving healthcare, be open about your sensory sensitivities, pain, medication history, and any side effects
• Write down a list of concerns before your appointments and refer to them during, so you don't forget anything
• Ask to record audio of your appointments if you need help remembering
• Make sure you are scheduling regular health check-ins and medication management appointments
• Learn about treatment risks and benefits and work with your providers to make informed decisions

Seeking Therapy

• Many autistic people do well with
  • Somatic Therapy
  • Relational Therapy
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be less effective for autistic people. The following alternatives may be a better fit:
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Find a neurodivergent-affirming therapist that won't treat autism as a disorder to "fix," who can help you with issues such as internalized shame and neurodivergent trauma.
• Consult with your doctor or psychiatrist about managing co-ocurring conditions with medication
• Work with your therapist to develop healthy coping strategies
• Find and engage with a supportive neurodivergent community, whether online or in-person

Neurodivergent-Affirming Providers

The following are "green flags" (good signs) which may help you identify the right care provider:

• Identity-first language. "Autistic Person" rather than "Person with Autism"
• Statements affirming neurodiversity and respecting neurodiverse identities
• Mentions of using an intersectional framework
• Emphasizing your autonomy, choice, and agency in treatment
• Offering accessability options such as flexible scheduling, sensory accomodations, and alternative communication methods

Red Flags

Here are some signs that indicate a provider may not be for you.

• ABA - Applied Behavioral Analysis
• Pathologizing language like "Autism Spectrum Disorder"
• A focus on "fixing" you by curing autism or trying to make you more neurotypical

Online Resources

• NDTherapists
• Association of Neurodivergent Therapists
• Therapy Den
• Inclusive Therapists

Notes on Self-Care for Autistic People by Dr. Megan Anna Neff

Emotional Self-Care

Autistic Burnout

Signs of Autistic Burnout

• Constant Fatigue
• Heightened sensory sensitivity
• Decline in skills such as:
  • Focusing
  • Organizing
  • Problem solving
  • Speaking
• Increased anxiety, irritability, and feelings of overwhelm
• Decreased tolerance for change and more reliance on sameness and predictability
• Social isolation
• Loss of interest in hobbies and enjoyable activities
• Reduced ability to Mask

Avoiding Burnout

Identify methods of restorative rest that work for you, and prioritize them. Do not let internalized ableism lead you to burnout by attempting to "push through" or trying to live up to allistic expectations.

Engage in a Sensory Detox when overstimulated. Determine what kinds of sensory environment is healing and restful for you, and use it as needed.

Prioritize

Drop unnecessary demands when feeling overwhelmed. Before burnout strikes, develop a list of things that can be skipped or deferred when the situation demands.

Try making a 3 tiered list of responsibilities

• Green: Can be skipped or defferred with little consequence
• Yellow: Can be skipped or delayed sometimes when needed
• Red: Necessary responsibilities difficult to skip or defer without consequences

Comfort Media

Familiar, comforting media can be restorative in times of stress. Keep a list of favorite books, movies, music, etc, and turn to them when needed.

Brain Dump

You may find it helpful to clear your head by getting all your thoughts onto paper so they're not taking up space in your brain. Try the following:

• To-Do Lists
• Free Writing
• Write down all your creative ideas
• List the sources of your stress
• List things you are grateful for
• List your current emotions without judging them
• Write down anything on your mind before bed to help you sleep

Boundaries & Self-Advocacy

Manage Hyper-Empathy

• A consistent routine can keep you grounded
• Engage in your special interest to tune out overwhelming emtions and the world's problems
• Spend time with people who positively influence your mood.
• Set and maintain healthy boundaries
• Manage your news consumption
• Use rituals such as visualization to release the weight of the world's pain and suffering
• Find ways to create positive change in areas important to you

Evaluate your personal relationships for toxicity

• Are there recurring instances of criticism, manipulation, and control?
• Do they make you feel unsafe, anxious, or doubt your self-worth?
• Do they make you feel comfortable and safe?
• Do they openly criticize or ridicule you?
• Do you feel manipulated?
• Do they use affection as a control tactic?
• Do they try to control you?

Notes on Self-Care for Autistic People by Dr. Megan Anna Neff

Body Care

Interoception

If you have trouble with interoception (noticing the signals your body is sending you), try these.

• Use a visual schedule or visual reminders for eating, drinking, bathroom breaks, etc.
• Set alarms and timers to remind you when to take a break, check in with your body, etc.
• Set a hydration goal for the day.
• Use a checklist
• Simplify your routine when possible

You can also improve interoception by practicing a body scan.

Food

• Keep frozen food on hand for low-energy days.
• Set up predictable meal routines, like "Taco Tuesday."
• Work from recipes with visual instructions
• Identify and stock up on safe foods (foods that you know you tolerate well)
• Many people with Autism benefit from taking the following supplements:
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• B Vitamins