• Feeling isolated? You're not alone.

    Join 20,000+ people who understand exactly how your day went. Whether you're newly diagnosed, self-identified, or supporting someone you love – this is a space where you don't have to explain yourself.

    Join the Conversation → It's free, anonymous, and supportive.

    As a member, you'll get:

    • A community that actually gets it – no judgment, no explanations needed
    • Private forums for sensitive topics (hidden from search engines)
    • Real-time chat with others who share your experiences
    • Your own blog to document your journey

    You've found your people. Create your free account

Rookie introduction

M

mrchrees

New Member
Hi there, My name is Chris and I'm 55 years young..
I might not be great in social situations but my life is great. I'm a creative person making miniature furniture for a living. I get to travel the world giving classes and exhibiting my work. When you think about it most people dream of making a living out of their creativity and I've managed to do it... Thats a great positive...
I struggle with the social side of it and have had to learn to cope with social interaction which is a constant challenge. I've don't like things to be unpredictable and definately don't like to draw attention to myself. I have to cope with both these things in my work.
When I give a demonstration in one of my workshops I feel as if I'm having an out of body experience. Drawing attention to myself is terrifying. My fear is so great I almost leave my body, its a very strange feeling.. I'm now much better as I've got more used to it...
This type of thing I've had to make allowances for my whole life. I stay in expensive hotels because I know where I am and what I have to do and then I can relax..
Don't know what I can get out of the forum, possibly some coping mechanisms? Maybe I have my own insights which might make a difference to someone else? Who knows
 
Welcome!

I can absolutely relate to the out-of-body experience you mentioned, though perhaps for different reasons. I have a job where I teach people in a workshop-style setting as well, and have found that when I’m overly conscious of my facial expressions and body language, it can feel very surreal. I often describe it as feeling like I’m performing in a play, where there’s a mismatch between my inward experience and my outward experience, so it almost seems as though I’m watching myself. I wish I could say the feeling has diminished over time, but it hasn’t, really.

Anyway, I hope you make some great connections with others, here. :)
 
Hi Chris

welcome to af.webp
 
Hi Chris, welcome to the forum.

It's so great that you are doing something creative, and something you like, for a living. And that you realise it - and are grateful. I'm creative too - and would love to sell my work. Fingers crossed :)

I hope you manage to get some good tips out of the forum.
 
Hello & welcome.
mrchrees said:
I'm a creative person making miniature furniture for a living.
Click to expand...
What scale do you favor? Do you have a website for them?

I kit-bash playscale lay figures for my amateur drawing studio. (Their variety of faces helps with my face-blindness.)
 
Last edited:
Always leave a trail of donut crumbs to follow to get back into your body.

;)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Threads

Top Bottom