My favorite job was many years ago, but I was unaware of my Aspergers. I just knew I had balance and satisfaction in daily life. I was a receiving clerk for a large retail corporation. My job hours were 9-5, M-F, and I worked alone. I had to confirm product deliveries from various sources (lots of boxes). I was strong, so I could lift anything easily. Chit-chat with delivery people was always short, and I got to know them a bit through daily and weekly contact. My job was to scan the products in the boxes into store inventory accurately. I enjoyed working quickly, becoming adept at confirming amounts and product variations. I had my evenings to myself to shop, watch TV, or go anywhere I wanted. My weekends were free, allowing me to socialize and visit my parents an hour away to spend time with them and do chores as needed. This was balance. My job helped me indulge my hyper-focus skills, remain physically active, and work without mental interruptions. My phone rang once a month, if at all. I was always organized and could handle special needs from the selling floor and from the invoicing office. The game was making sure everything was completed before 5pm. I always managed to do it. At the end of the day, I had pride in my work and no BS to have to take home with me. No weekend work meant I could have a life and lots of personal down-time to reflect.
What made this all work for me is something I only understand now. Regularity, predictability, same work environment, in charge of my own area, and focus on the job at hand all worked together. It wasn't just the job. It was also the environment and the fact that I was solely responsible for the success or failure of the operation. It had a good combination of mental and physical activity without any interruptions to my concentration.
In Junior High, my counselor told me that my aptitude test suggested that I should be an accountant or a librarian. I rejected that idea because I felt they would be boring and I was such a bad math student. How wrong I was to ignore this advice. I wanted to experience the world, but I didn't know anything about Aspergers at the time.
If you are aware of your ASD, it would make some sense to indulge your strengths and interests, being aware of the kinds of environments that are a challenge to your overall well-being. I never questioned a work schedule, nor a work environment. I always dove in 100% without recognizing or understanding the role these play in personal satisfaction. My greatest needs are structure and predictability. This is where I find the foundation for balance. It took a lifetime to figure this out.
