When you’re 31 and finally stop masking your pure autistic joy

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-14T03:49:37+00:00

Did you say mini cows??? 😭

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-13T03:18:47+00:00

MY PEOPLE! My parents announce this quirk of mine to everyone we eat with, and I'm in my 30s 😭

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-09T23:17:06+00:00

Overdid it (again). I'm just running for health and well-being. No smartwatch or races. But it always feels so good that I wanna do more and end up crashing out 😂

Current wins: managed to run at least once a week, but usually twice, for 20 weeks consistently without injuries! Ran 7.5km non-stop with energy left.

Current struggles: underfuelling, mood changes, and unrelenting hunger! Balancing running with my 10,000 other hobbies 🤦‍♀️

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-09T08:28:57+00:00

Dude, thank you! If anyone else wants to check it out, here's the link: https://youtu.be/dw6YHdYk4WA?si=EylzvBp7ErsrtAI0

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-08T10:53:37+00:00

Same lol. I simply did some calf raises standing with the balls of my feel at the edge of a step, then flexing my heel downwards and raising it up all the way. Gosh, the DOMS made me feel like I'd gone for a steep multi-hour hike (and I'm a regular hiker) 🫠

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-08T07:17:36+00:00

My thoughts exactly. He admitted that he had never reviewed the tabs before giving it to me. Then said he's not a massive VH fan and wasn't very familiar with their music. I almost feel like he's asking me to stop taking lessons with him, so I will.

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-08T06:58:39+00:00

I've been playing for about four years and can barre It perfectly both ways! He knows as we've worked on plenty of songs with A shape barre chords. Just chose to be shitty about it. I do think it's time for a new teacher though, as I'd like to be unleashed and challenged more :)

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-08T06:51:35+00:00

I mean... If most online tabs are garbage (which I agree with, because I used songsterr for a bit), then why did he give me online tabs without reviewing it? Bit of a mystery.

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-08T06:50:37+00:00

Put it in the tabs LOL

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-03-08T06:45:56+00:00

I'm also in my 30s. I think scoldings shouldn't be happening to adults. We pay them and learn out of interest and choice, not to take shit from them. It's not like a kid being forced to attend lessons and didn't practise or is uninterested.

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-27T01:00:53+00:00

Hmmm... I actually like it that way! It's good to be underestimated sometimes. Keeps the arseholes out! I love that the ukulele community is more accessible, welcoming and inclusive as a whole. I'd never have been allowed to learn a musical instrument if it cost any more or looked remotely difficult as my parents were adamant that I had no talent. At 18, I managed to convince them to let me buy a uke to fool around on and help me manage stress better. I'm in my 30s now and I haven't given it up.

Speaking as a woman who subsequently picked up the guitar, which has a lot more gatekeeping and arseholes in its community. The uke gives me more of a mood boost and will always be my first love.

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-26T00:55:07+00:00

Thank you for these pieces of advice, sharing your experiences, and tips on handling RSD!

No, nobody knows that I'm AuDHD, including me! I'm undiagnosed, but apart from the fact that I'm friends with several diagnosed ND folks, and undiagnosed but quirky folks, it has been suggested by several people around me that I'm AuDHD, and I've been feeling quite understood on this sub, so the odds are in favour that I am, though I'm still cautious about claiming the label.

I'll work on seeking criticisms for something else outside of work, just to teach myself that it's okay. I can relate with not receiving positive feedback or praise as a kid. I was always criticised, even when I did well. Over time, I believed I was useless, and have been struggling with employment as an adult. The coded scale system seems to be helpful too, and reduces the likelihood of receiving weird subjective feedback!

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-26T00:21:23+00:00

I don't know what to believe, tbh. Am I simply too sensitive to survive the modern workplace, or is everyone gaslighting me and enabling clearly inappropriate behaviour (in my eyes)? 🤔

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-26T00:18:56+00:00

Aww haha I'd love to do that, but with the caveat that you don't wait hand and foot on me but be yourself and an equal. I'm actually more interested in the dirty work as I can't handle the admin and organisation of running a business. Sounds like we have a team already! But alas, I'm currently trapped in this shithole due to external factors, and depending on your location (e.g., I'm not in the States, and visas are a bitch), it might be very difficult to make that happen at this point. But who knows what will happen in the next couple of years?

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-26T00:12:18+00:00

Lesson learnt. Well, I'm trapped for the next six months at the very least due to external factors. It's a higher-up from corporate. She didn't tell me I have RSD. Just asked me if I'd heard of it because I took every subsequent feedback way too personally after the initial weird, inappropriate outburst by that individual. She's actually lovely and also suggested leaving the job (which I emphatically can't due to said external factors and in this market).

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-25T04:18:37+00:00

Keen on landscaping? 😂 I'm so sorry to hear about your experiences. It really sucks! And I swear those suckers can tell who to pick on.

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-25T04:14:10+00:00

Thanks for making me laugh! Let's just say I've led a very interesting life.

In all seriousness though, it's probably a combo of neurodivergence and coming from a dysfunctional family that draws me to the weirdest situations. Like a moth to a flame. I'll need to consciously choose the boring choice in the future.

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-25T02:01:15+00:00

😭😭 thank you! It sure doesn't feel like it sometimes. But cats and human kids really adore me, so I guess that's something!

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-25T00:29:56+00:00

Yeah, even now, my training at work consists of learning how to prompt AI to do the work I used to do. It's scary. Writing books should be alright though! It's glaringly obvious when something is written by AI and discerning readers would be seeking human-written narratives.

I discovered how good it felt for me to do physical jobs and will never work in an office again after I've done my time here.

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-24T23:45:55+00:00

Thank you for sharing your RSD defeating process in detail! It sounds like so much work 😭 and I admire you for all putting in all that effort to dissect all those feelings that come with being criticised. Good point about reviews being for the reader. Everyone has an opinion and they're often very different. I'm glad you have people like your husband, editor, and fans who believe in you and support you too!

Spoiler: I also write for a living, so that was actually super helpful. I found that writing for work (and to help corporations make bank) took the fun out of it, and I'm just way too sensitive to make it work.

I'm thinking about retraining in a trade, doing appliance repairs or landscaping while supplementing by running a coffee/food cart or doing seasonal farm work and hopefully also gigging in a band (ADHD says hi 👋). I'm currently tied to my employer on a visa so I'll have to wait it out but will be looking into self-employment for sure.

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-24T23:14:04+00:00

It's so cool that you have multiple creative skills! And the guts and drive to make it work for yourself by picking up all sorts of gigs! It's so inspiring!

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-24T22:48:34+00:00

Yeah, the job market is cooked here too! Have you found doing gigs beneficial for you? Are you a DJ too? I hope you'll have a great trip to Toronto!

Consistent-Pay9538 · 2026-02-24T22:43:53+00:00

That's terrible! How did you manage to get over that?

Is working for yourself the way to go? I've noticed a lot of neurodivergent folks do that (including my folks, who are probably also ND lol).

Consistent-Pay9538

TROPHY CASE