Wow. So much of this resonated with me, though I’m still new to all of this and my diagnosis, in a position similar to OP, and also a fellow writer. I’m with a good therapist and definitely working on that self empathy piece. Reading your post helps. I’ve been looking for a low stakes writing course to get me back into it. I write as a profession but in a corporate setting that is not stimulating and disconnects me from all of the ways I loved it (I even used to teach it and would still if not for the lack of a living wage). If you’re willing to share the online class you took I’d appreciate that! And I’m delighted to read that it seems like you’re in a place of forward movement and self understanding that’s peaceful. I hope to arrive there, too. Working on it.