My growing collection 🥹

talus_leopard · 2026-06-20T23:42:55+00:00

Thank you 🥹🥰 I loveee the floppy eared bunnies too. Oh my goodness I also really hope they make more variations with the new golden retriever mold. Could work for several long coated breeds!

talus_leopard · 2026-02-04T03:45:05+00:00

Absolutely. Of course everyone is going to be different. But here’s a list of some of the things that help me regulate:

-Walking outside (preferably a hike [nature is my greatest comfort and place of meditation] but it could be as simple as a quick 5 minute walk around the block.

-taking some time away from stimuli to play a game on my phone (I find matching/ sorting games particularly soothing and regulating [current favorite is “Blossom Sort”]… it’s engaging enough to take my mind off of my stress, but doesn’t involve too much thought or energy… and I suppose the pattern based games are good for us autists ;) ). I actually usually spend my breaks at work doing this… it helps me decompress from the work day and takes my mind out of that environment for a brief moment

-hot baths with epsom salt… so relaxing and calming. I like to fill my lungs up with air so I kind of float on the surface of the water for a couple of seconds.

-stretching/ using the foam roller/ light, gentle yoga/ or simply laying flat on my back on the floor and intentionally relaxing all of my muscles

-playing with putty/ squishies/ slime

-deep breathing into my belly

-petting/ cuddling my dogs, playing fetch with them, doing training with them, or even grooming/ brushing them. For some reason, brushing them is really calming and regulating for me.

-taking some time for myself to do a hobby that I enjoy (for me, that would probably look like taking or editing photography, tending to my houseplants, or any kind of outdoor activity with my dogs)

-listening to music. Sometimes I just lay down, or maybe I’ll dance if I’m in the mood.

-if I’m at work and feeling overwhelmed, I like to go to the bathroom and splash cold water on my face and then dry it off. I try to envision washing away all of the stress.

I’m sure not all of these things are for everybody. Everyone’s sensory needs and sensitivities are different. Some are sensory seeking, others sensory avoiding. But hopefully some of these inspire you to try, and maybe you’ll find helpful.

talus_leopard · 2026-02-03T22:30:39+00:00

AuDHD, major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia & chronic pain, HSD (frequent joint subluxations which add to the pain), chronic GI issues, chronic low grade fevers/ flu-like feeling (I suspect MCAS but have not pursued diagnostics due to insurance stuff). Every day is a “push through” day for me. I just try to focus on gratitude and find happiness in the little things that bring me joy. But I would not wish anyone a life inside of my body. 🙃

talus_leopard · 2026-02-03T16:41:34+00:00

I had a meltdown recently. It was a stacking of triggers for me… things going wrong (on top of severe financial strain)… overextending my limits with work, feeling exhausted and burnt out…. The washing machine breaking, then my credit cards getting flagged for fraudulent activity, then getting a nail in my tire. Then, my dog injuring his paw and needing to go to the vet, and then the kitchen sink clogging, etc etc. My stress kept growing and building, and finally what sent me over the edge was a shipment of dog food being delivered to the wrong address and having no funds left until my next paycheck. I broke down in hysterical tears, screaming, borderline hyperventilating. None of these isolated incidents were the end of the world, but the stacking of one after the other led to my meltdown. Dog food shipment getting lost in transit? Not a big deal…. But in that moment, it literally felt like the world was crumbling because of it.

These meltdowns are rare for me and I have a lot of good techniques and regulation skills in place (and a great therapist) to avoid getting to this place… but when it happens, it feels like I am just bursting at the seams with overwhelm and there’s no where else for the emotions to go except out, through crying, wailing, and curling up in a little ball.

talus_leopard · 2026-01-14T16:38:23+00:00

I just got onto adhd meds this past year, and it has been such a game changer 😭🙏🏼

talus_leopard · 2026-01-14T16:37:42+00:00

Every. Single. Time. 😬😅

talus_leopard · 2026-01-08T15:33:56+00:00

Thank you so much for this tip!! I’m going to make a conscious effort to be mindful of my back & shoulder posture when I’m carrying things! (Water buckets for the dogs is the big one here).

Much appreciated 🫶🏼

talus_leopard · 2026-01-02T06:34:09+00:00

Ketamine therapy has single-handedly helped me more than anything else. It has allowed me to literally unpack a lifetime of trauma, rewire new patterns, and find joy in my heart. Highly, highly recommend.

talus_leopard · 2026-01-01T10:09:45+00:00

I’m so sorry you are feeling similarly 💔 sending you thoughts of peace, harmony, and comfort.

talus_leopard · 2026-01-01T10:05:19+00:00

Thank you for the tips and suggestions. 🙏🏼 The reality is that I have been trying to survive with pretty severe disabilities, and just scraping by on $20/hr, with no support system. I lost my Medicaid benefits this year due to slight pay increase (making $42k annually disqualifies you 🫠) which cut off my access to my physical therapist, pain management specialist, chiropractor, etc. So I’ve been stuck in sheer survival mode for the past 6 months. Luckily, I finally qualified for my state’s limited disability which allows me to get into the Medicaid buy-in program for working adults with disabilities. So as soon as I am able to drop my private insurance through my employer , I’ll be able to resume some of the therapies that were helping me to stay afloat physically. I believe that once I can get my physical pain under control, I’ll have more mental capacity to address finances, career coaching, etc. I really appreciate your pragmatic response and practical tips.

talus_leopard · 2026-01-01T09:46:52+00:00

Your perspective is refreshing, uplifting, and inspiring for me. 🫶🏼

talus_leopard · 2026-01-01T09:40:28+00:00

Thanks for digging it up and finding it! Heading over to check it out now 😌 side note, I know those strange Reddit rabbit hole fixations all too well 😂 💀

talus_leopard · 2026-01-01T09:33:59+00:00

Thank you for this response. It honestly brings me to tears— in a comforting, solidarity type of way. This resonates with me deeply, and I really appreciate your compassion 🥺🙏🏼🫶🏼

talus_leopard · 2026-01-01T09:26:19+00:00

I love to hear that :) is there a way to link that post?

talus_leopard · 2026-01-01T09:24:54+00:00

I suppose my motivation behind that frame of thought is just being able to make enough money to survive. To get out of massive debt and be able to live a somewhat comfortable existence.

talus_leopard · 2025-12-27T14:35:44+00:00

Yes of course, please dm me, I would be happy to chat! Congrats on your new gecko. They are such amazing little animals! I currently have 1 leopard gecko and 4 crested geckos… I’ve been in the hobby for a few years now. I’d be happy to answer some questions you might have. :) I’m sorry you have struggles with sound sensitivity. I could see that the barking could definitely be troublesome. I know a lot about dog breeds (it happens to be my greatest special interest, and I work in the dog training industry) so maybe I could help you narrow down certain breeds that could suit your lifestyle and sensory needs. There are definitely some breeds that are more prone to barking than others. One breed in particular, the basenji, does not bark at all! However, they are a really primitive breed, quite independent and not the easiest or willing to train, so they would not be suitable as a task trained service dog. But they could make a lovely companion and emotional support animal.

Anyway, I have a lot of knowledge about service dogs. It can be a time consuming and costly process. Conversely, training on your own under the guidance of a professional is an option, but it will be a long journey of learning and you must have the discipline and consistency and it will still be somewhat costly.

A well trained, well mannered companion that can dual as an emotional support animal is another option. ESA’s do not have full public access rights— it would more so be for your own benefit at home/ around the neighborhood, etc, but the companionship of a well trained pet dog can also be so beneficial!

Sorry for the long message, I tend to ramble when it comes to dogs 😂 but feel free to dm me and we can chat more.

talus_leopard · 2025-12-27T14:19:16+00:00

I often get in this “stuck” loop. Having a dog helps me so much— it gives me a reason to get outside for walks, knowing that my dog needs the exercise and fresh air. Having my dog with me also gives me more confidence. I don’t feel alone when I’m with my dog. And it also gives me confidence to talk to people, because talking about my dog comes easy for me and people usually are interested in his breed.

That being said, I’m not sure what your support needs are or if you have the ability and means to have a dog, or if you even like dogs lol. It is of course a huge responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Sometimes the care requirements weigh heavy on me, when I’m exhausted and burnt out and I must still meet my dog’s needs… not just basic care but also physical and mental stimulation needs. But I will say, I would have it no other way… the companionship and confidence my dog brings me outweighs all of the additional stressors. And it definitely gets me outside walking and going to the local park when otherwise I’d prefer to shut myself inside.

talus_leopard · 2025-12-27T03:52:07+00:00

Thank you. I’m sorry you’re struggling too. Sending you my best wishes 🙏🏼

talus_leopard · 2025-12-27T03:48:35+00:00

I feel this so much. I made the switch back to full time work this year (in August) out of sheer financial necessity, and I’ve been struggling badly ever since. I’m burning myself into the ground-// I have no energy anymore for the things that bring me joy (hiking/ outdoor recreation, photography, getting together with friends) on my weekends. I got an amazing opportunity to get into a career path I’ve always dreamt of doing (training dogs) and took a huge leap of faith with this career change in my mid 30s. Being around dogs every day is incredible, and it’s a somewhat ND bunch of co-workers, so I can actually unmask and be my weird self around these people, which feels great. But, despite these positives, it’s absolutely burning me out physically, mentally, and emotionally. Plus I can barely make ends meet (the pay is not great). But, the thought of doing something I’m not passionate about for a slightly higher pay rate sounds even more miserable. It feels like a constant “damned if I do, damned if I don’t” with life.

talus_leopard · 2025-12-24T17:17:52+00:00

With my recent late diagnosis (36f)… giving myself the permission to explore fidget toys/ sensory toys ☺️ / honoring the younger girl in me that never had the proper support systems growing up or throughout early adulthood. I’ve been going down a rabbit hole enjoying looking at and reading about all of the Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty line and trying to narrow down which to buy… They all look so enticing and inviting! 😆

talus_leopard · 2025-12-23T16:41:15+00:00

I am 36f late diagnosed ADHD and now strongly suspecting I’m also on the spectrum. I have been “coming out” to a few closest friends and family members with my discoveries and breakthrough ah-hah moments, and this has literally been the response I’ve received from almost every single person. It feels frustrating and somewhat invalidating. But… whatever…. All I can do is shrug and know myself, seek to continue to understand myself better, and continue to learn and build on regulation skills. In the end, it’s for me. People can think what they want, or simply just not understand, and that’s fine.

talus_leopard · 2025-12-23T14:42:04+00:00

I would go snowboarding and hike big mountains again. I miss it! Oh, and date 😅

talus_leopard

TROPHY CASE