@PhoneMomma It does sound a stressful situation to go through all that :( . Obsessions can be tricky to manage without personal strategies to cope and relax. What is something that you have done in the past to cope with the situation you are in?  ... View more

@Tay100 Thats awesome! Its always good not to be stressing about money haha  I can sympathise with your dilemma on the heat and water :P ... View more

@SapienOddity We are here to listen and support how ever need us to :). What else has been going one for yourself of late?  ... View more

@musicfan_xo Thank you for sharing that and being honest with those issues. We are here if you wish talk. Can you tell me of what has been happening for you recently of late? Like in your daily I mean ... View more

@SapienOddity Thank you for sharing this. It's not easy disclosing a situation like that or going through it I can imagine. How long have you been experiencing these feelings and thoughts for? ... View more

@musicfan_xo aww that's no good :( What happened?     ... View more

@PhoneMomma That is a long time. Have been experiencing more distress than usual from this or anything of late?  ... View more

Hi @PhoneMomma    How are you doing of late? How long has these feelings and thoughts being going on for you? ... View more

@MemphisBelle Hi, how are doing?   Happy birthday to you!  birthdays can be stressful, as some people experience comparisons on where they are at versus where others are. That I can empathize with. To you what does a good birthday mean?   Those are awesome hobbies to have! What is it about your hobbies that you enjoy when doing them? ... View more

@musicfan_xo hi, how are going of late? ... View more

@clarii3105 I hope the same for your hopes as well!  ... View more

How is everyone going with their challenges? ... View more

@Lost_Space_Explorer5 thats awesome to hear about day 1 and 2! even if the mindfulness wasn't completed in 5 minutes, it was still engaged in. Which is a victory in of itself :) it does sound like something new when watching a different tv series haha      I wonder what new challenges you may come up with soon :D ... View more

@WheresMySquishy brilliant idea to share! 2020 was a turbulent year for everyone..   Love the responses everyone! hope you all achieve what you want! :D - Share a hope that you have for yourself in the future.I hope that I will be with someone what will challenge me to bring out the best of myself for them. - Share a hope that you envision for the world.I hope that the world with have a renewed sense of empowerment and personal strength from the struggles that we have been facing ... View more

@pstlcims  It all sounds awful what has happened :( both to you and A. Its a horrible feeling and situation going through a friendship breakdown. From what I have read, you seem to be caring person as you knew A was upset and you still reached :). Plus, you're allowed to experience those moments of doubt and dread. They can be gut feelings that are probably right about your situation. What do you think of that? Drawing back to M, I'd advise caution being around. From what you have described, it seems she doesn't understand your views, beliefs, and opinions about what has happened. Like both of you don't have to agree with everything, but having understanding and trust is important for your emotional and mental safety. And if you don't feel safe in that sense, it sounds you made a good decision to cease hanging around her.    Have you spoken with anyone else about what you have felt? ... View more

@Lost_Space_Explorer5 Love it! This idea can really enrich a person's week :)  Here is my list I'd like to share with everyone: DAY 1: Be active - I will take a trip for a walk on top of a mountain DAY 2: take notice - I will practice being present with the environment around DAY 3: keep learning - I will try to learn new computer skills DAY 4: connect - I will take the time to try going for a date DAY 5: give - I will give my sister the chance for help with her STAR WARS lego set DAY 6: care for the planet - I will pick up any rubbish I see when going for walks in my town    Hope these ideas may give others some new things that they may like to try out :) All the best everyone! ... View more

Awesome ideas everyone! @WheresMySquishy quote can help go a long way if they are personal to you :)  I thought I'd share my list as well everyone: 1. Books 2. Posters 3. Rocks 4. martial arts equipment 5. uplifting music!   ... View more

Thanks for the responses everyone. Love seeing people partake in this :)   I like how everyone has given their input in explaining that meeting others can enrich their lives with new connections and experiences. Which can lead to more opportunities and people haha :P And I can sympathise that meeting others can be challenging as well, due to different people valuing different things or having incompatible personalities, and even not having time due to work, study and other commitments. And also finding the right moments for oneself to branch out, as that can involve being vulnerable as well.   What I find awesome about this is that new people are joining in on this thread as well! Awesome as everyone, Welcome and I hope find some awesome information and experiences on this platform!  ... View more

Hi everyone, Thanks for posting this up @Tay100  What do you think is a key difference between self-care and treating yo'self? For myself, the key difference between treating yo’self and self-care is by how you invest in your happiness and wellbeing within a moment. What I mean by that is that with self-care, its like a personal medicine for your overall health (physical, mental, social, etc.), whereas treating yourself is like bring the most joy in your life for a brief moment. Treating yourself means to let no worries come at you while are taking in every moment to enjoy your respite, such as going to a spa and just not moving an inch to relax and enjoy the peace. Wanted to keep this explanation simple. What is a favourite treat yo' self activity and what lead you to do it? For me, its watching a movie in the cinemas. It is not something I do very often, as it mostly depends on the movie haha, I love spending time with either myself or with friends/family watching new films that are released in cinemas. They provide me with a new story to watch and listen to, without any other worry from the world and life around me. Plus the popcorn is always a go to snack with those kind of events haha ;P Although I think I need to find another treat myself option. ... View more

Love the answers shared guys. Also, I don’t want to turn this into a post just about autism and listening, but more about how everyone thinks about listening and understanding in relationships with any kind of person in your lives😊 @Tiny_leaf  It’s awesome to know that there is another with the same condition I have in these forums. Makes it more better 😊. Yeah, putting that mental effort into understanding the words but not the meaning is a very exhausting hurdle to get past. When you are giving your fullest attention to that, it really does not leave much if any room to find the correct meaning behind people’s point of view. I noticed in your point that you find it easier to understand when you are with a person in real-life and not on an online platform. That I can empathise with as well. Have you ever thought about as to why you prefer those dynamics? And I don’t think you are going off-topic, rather I think you are just giving your own perspective on this. Which I find makes this topic more open and shares more uniqueness from another :D @Janine-RO  This has been a really important topic and interest in my life for so many years. It can be isolating at times because you are trying so hard to understanding what people are trying to say and also trying to build connections with them. But I also know that is not just me who falls under that trap, its many others in the world as well, including neurotypicals. As there is an old saying ‘Say what you mean, mean what you say’ How do I find online communication as opposed to in-person communication? It always depends on who I am communicating with. Whether it is a best-friend, family member, colleague or a friend. As each person will explain, discuss, and evaluate and argue with me in different ways, that adjusting how I can interpret and figure out what they are meaning to express. For myself personally, I prefer face-to-face communication, as there is more I can notice and take in, in terms of tonality in voice, pacing, body language, key points that their words mean as examples. But I have improved in communication from a younger age, where I have been able to build better understanding from what people have been trying to say to me, I believe. For my online communication with others, it is like an easier avenue to communication, but have felt it can’t give me as much to go on. Like when someone is trying to discuss a point with me, I need to see their facial expressions to figure out what is their motivations or passions behind their words, and what they really think. Can you explain more about your experiences on this subject? @Anzelmo  Love reading your perspectives on this. That you have acknowledge that listening does not come in specific form to building understanding and connection in others, especially when sharing your relationship with your gf. I also felt like there was a sense of validation you were giving when explaining the different elements involved in listening, whether it can hurt or increase connection through empathy, which is very important in any positive relationship. I don’t know if anyone else has come to that perspective I felt. ... View more

Love the posts everyone!  Today, I am grateful for having a good rest in bed, getting up and ready for work and taking the time to see what has been happening in these forums, and being able to listen to powerful and inspiring, especially SKILLET!!! :D  ... View more

Hi @Jess1-RO    Got to say I love the ideas everyone is suggesting! Could another idea be about illness and personal recovery? Or resilience?  ... View more

@WheresMySquishy    It does sound like a fair amount to take on when parents get involved. You have summed it up perfectly that your life is your life, where you make your own choices on what makes you happy, and that being in a relationship now does not have to be one of them now. that it will come naturally when you feel you are ready. ... View more

@ecla34  Have you ever felt like you have to date or be in a relationship? For me, this brings up some personal thoughts. I have felt that way before in my life. Mostly because I was surrounded by a lot of people who are already in relationships, and have thought to myself "Damn, I need to find someone" and 'why cant I have that relationship". Made me feel like I was being left out of a clique in a way. As society does like saying "you need to be in a relationship to be happy". Which is not necessarily true for everyone.    How have you managed the pressure to be in a relationship? By realising that I'm only human, with different dreams, hopes, fears, qualities. That being in a relationship will only happen when I want it to happen, and with being with someone who can help with bringing out the best in both of us, for each other. Makes it easier to avoid getting pressured by perfectionism in relationships and haters from others hahahah   ... View more

@Hozzles  That comment from that someone who said "but that's just how lesbian relationships are!" sounds awful. I'm sure you have many things that you can offer someone when you are feeling ready to date again :) ... View more

@Hozzles    I really love how you have broaden the scope on the definition of dating. Its amazing to see that dating is not a one-way or one-size-fits-all process, which you have suggested yourself from your experiences and stories.  ... View more

Hi @WheresMySquishy  I can only answer one of these questions. Dating for me is about exploring. Both about about the suitor and myself. Because anyone would want to be in a relationship where they can feel safe, have fun with someone we enjoy the company with. So dating provides opportunities to go out and find out more about what you like in a partner and what the person can give you when investing in these relationships.  ... View more