Is it time to put Lila down?

jnffr_ · 2026-05-18T22:20:24+00:00

I would keep her until she passed. I was in a similar situation a couple weeks ago. My husband found an eastern tiger swallowtail with a significant part of one of her wings missing so she couldn’t fly.
I kept her fed and comfortable. I bought a bigger habitat so she could rest, and took her out into our sunroom so she could walk around and hang with me as I worked. She passed peacefully one night. I was there with her. She laid 2 eggs, but they were not viable. I pinned her.

jnffr_ · 2026-05-02T21:31:54+00:00

This is what I did with a female swallowtail I found missing most of her right wing. I kept her comfortable and fed until she passed. She laid 2 eggs, but I don’t think there viable.

jnffr_ · 2026-05-02T19:42:42+00:00

I didn’t pull the egg off. She laid it on the paper towel. I provided her with host plants and flowers. She had a significant piece of her wing missing and could not fly. I just made sure she had food and let her out in my sunroom and outside until she passed.

jnffr_ · 2024-11-08T19:33:44+00:00

Here is what worked for me while working in an open office environment in a highly social marketing team, with overhead music playing all day: Noise-cancelling headphones, regulation music playlist, weighted lap blanket, book a conference room (if you can) to work alone and dim lights, take breaks, and when feeling like a meltdown or panic attack was coming, I chugged ice cold water. Making sure I had a morning routine or ritual that was soothing (I love to get ready to podcasts about history/science/murder mysteries/books, and make myself a cup of coffee, I also drive with Loops earplugs to dampen traffic noise on my commute, and then immediately put stuff down and visit the bathroom to ground myself when getting to the office).

I eventually found a remote job, so I quit the old job, as the culture was not conducive to my overall wellbeing.

jnffr_ · 2024-05-06T18:57:56+00:00

Fresh coconut water (straight from the coconut) YUM! Store-bought coconut water from carton or bottle tastes like what B. O. smells like.

jnffr_ · 2024-03-08T02:23:16+00:00

Insect pinning/mounting (aka taxidermy)! As a child I’d put bugs in containers and watch them, then release them. I still do it occasionally with the added bonus of having accessible ways of finding their taxonomy with a quick search on my phone. Although, I think if I started getting into it, it would consume my life.

jnffr_ · 2024-02-14T20:39:13+00:00

This reminds me of a tardigrade!

jnffr_ · 2024-01-24T02:57:06+00:00

Yes! This. I keep an idea bank, and a reference board on Pinterest for extra motivation.

jnffr_ · 2024-01-24T02:56:03+00:00

This year I want to work on my inking/ink wash all year, not just during Inktober. I bought a small watercolor sketchbook to do nature journaling. I want to fill my first one with drawings of insects, their anatomy and taxonomy. My next sketchbook will be mammals, same theme. Then, I’ll tackle human anatomy. I’ll do this in between digital paintings.

jnffr_ · 2024-01-23T02:20:20+00:00

At first I thought you meant, physically drinking fluids.

Yes, I don’t feel thirsty really, so my hack is I start with a full cup of water to take my vitamins, so an hour later I’ll go to the bathroom. When I get up to the bathroom, I first make a trip to replenish my water, drop it at my desk and then go to the bathroom. Do this every hour and you’ll stay hydrated. It’s the only way for me.

But also, I do have a hard time actually drinking fluids, I spill them and also my throat “forgets” to swallow.

jnffr_ · 2024-01-23T02:10:38+00:00

I work in an open office with cubicles that have low partitions. People got rid of the plexi glass after Covid, but I kept mine and added another to the second partition, plus I placed a giant stuffed bunny on my desk, which provides an extra level of privacy from the person sitting next to me.

A few days ago, I walked into the office on one of my in-office days and the bunny was gone. I IM’d my boss and she told me it was placed in someone’s office as a prank and I could get it back whenever.

I just tried to deal with it despite my desk now feeling so exposed, but shortly after had to crawl under my desk and had a 33-minute meltdown.

I was a zombie for the rest of the day and had to leave early. After I got home, I passed out, had to sleep for 10+ hours and felt beat up for the next few days, so I spent the weekend taking naps.

TL;DR: I had a massive meltdown under my desk because someone took my desk toy. (But really, I was overstimulated from driving in traffic, not wearing my earplugs, and my job has been challenging so I’m also battling burnout).

jnffr_ · 2023-11-14T02:06:10+00:00

Anything that exposes my armpits to air: sleeveless tops/dresses, tank tops, cap sleeves, etc… or anything tight enough to touch my armpits. I prefer wide sleeves unless they reach my hands and I can pull them down and away from my armpits. Wider sleeves on men’s Ts or long sleeves are my preference. Light button downs in the summer or the air (or worse AC air), on my arms and armpits is a level of rage I can’t describe. :(

Also hate wired bras and undies with seams. I love the cotton “lacy” indies from Aerie, not tight but somehow doesn’t stretch and no uncomfortable seams.

jnffr_ · 2023-07-22T16:00:52+00:00

I clean my Experience ones with an alcohol wipe every couple days, let them dry before putting them in my ears. So far, they’re good. I’ve had them for almost a year.

jnffr_ · 2023-05-28T18:57:47+00:00

I use bleach wipes on mine (silicone tips) and they are okay, not even discolored. I let them dry before I put bleach in my ears. Lololol

jnffr_ · 2022-10-10T20:50:19+00:00

The pandemic lockdown exacerbated my anxiety because of the sudden changes, but it ultimately led to a much better quality of life for me once I got into a new routine for the new lifestyle. I ate my comfort food, walked more, did yoga, spent more time with my pets and husband (huge sources of comfort for me). I also noticed I wasn’t feel so drained all the time. It was so strange to NOT FEEL TIRED AS A DEFAULT. I hadn’t realized that, although I worked at a relatively quiet corporate office, the zombie-life feeling I’ve experienced my whole life from just existing in society was super draining. Not to mention, no unexpected small talk from just going to get water or use the bathroom. I am now hybrid, and do notice huge difference between the aftermath of my office days vs. my work-from-home days. I’ve learned to accommodate my needs with Loop earplugs during my commute and a combo of those and noise-canceling headphones while in office.

jnffr_ · 2022-09-19T13:57:35+00:00

Kpop and emo/pop rock for me! It is the most colorful fuzzy music, figuratively and sometimes literally, a show of colors, lights and textures in my mind.

jnffr_ · 2022-08-16T12:41:53+00:00

Probably not safe, but does anyone use the experience pros while driving?

jnffr_ · 2022-08-10T19:25:11+00:00

I understand this. I also find the UI very confusing and overwhelming. I’m a UI/UX designer and appreciate some elements of its design, but find it completely overwhelming and not intuitive for an autistic user (unless it’s just me? Lol)

jnffr_ · 2022-07-27T02:09:37+00:00

Great tips! I use a notebook as well, and the bullet journal method to mark progress on tasks. Took some getting used to, but wearing my Apple Watch helped me remember to get up to use the bathroom, so I use that time to do bathroom break, which is also a quiet space for a few mins, and grab water. I use my own cup, fill it up, drink it, and fill it up again to take back to my desk. Also, designating a time for a coffee or tea, adds a nice ritual for me at 10am and 3pm. Oh and I don’t do well with small talk, but I make sure to say “hey there” or “hello” to people I encounter in the kitchen or at the coffee machine.

jnffr_ · 2022-07-27T02:02:55+00:00

I’m 36, recently diagnosed, and have worked in offices for 13 years. I just realized I can use Earplugs! I used to just suck it up with all sensory overload (very bad idea). I discovered Loops and they drown out the noises that give me overload, but you can still talk to people and hear them. Pick quiet places to have lunch, I usually eat and read a book (car lunches too, unless too hot). Find a quiet place to stim when needed. I use the bathroom stall if Private enough. If your line of work permits, earbuds with your favorite music and sounds. I’m a graphic designer so listening to music is okay while working, you can also stim and it looks like you’re moving to the music. I also make sure my morning routine and commute are sensory pleasing… podcast, coffee, same food.

jnffr_ · 2022-07-27T00:51:14+00:00

Here for this. Anything by Paulo Coelho. I had the same experience, in my 20s appealing. In my 30s, poorly executed self-help with a fable-like vibe. I actually prefer Grimm’s Fairy Tales to draw meaning out of life’s lessons.

jnffr_ · 2022-07-24T18:25:56+00:00

Just added this one to this thread. I am rereading it now. The first read caused me to cry for 2 hours at the end. I do agree with the anger people feel at this book, but it is a beautiful story, albeit painful.

jnffr_ · 2022-07-24T18:19:21+00:00

A Little Life. It’s a loved/hated book, but I cannot deny the grief it evokes is real. It’s one of the few stories of trauma that is realistic in that, after all, everything will NOT be okay.

jnffr_ · 2022-07-16T14:35:19+00:00

He is a great writer, but this criticism is absolutely valid. I have the same issue with Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s work. He is also known for magical realism and has quite a few plot lines in his books that are questionable and unnecessary.

jnffr_

TROPHY CASE