Talk about your personal improvements & achievements!

[Misery]

Okay, I'm in the mood to make a big positive thread.

I was thinking about this recently during dull moments, which is that I've had a ton of general improvements and such in recent times. I had the idea that listing this sort of thing out can really sometimes help with understanding how far one has come, and to realize certain things you may not have realized you even did.

Stuff like:

1. Less pain! Like, a lot less! I havent had The Headache in ages, my lower back pain is somehow *entirely* gone... I dont know how that happened... and my arm doesnt flare up nearly as often. And there's things I can do now that would have given me trouble a year or two ago. Like any time I need to interact with the battery... it's in a super awkward position, under my art desk, I have to sorta clamber down there to get at it. Go back a year or so and that would have been hard to do and would have left me sore. Now? Nope. Did that earlier when putting the Xbox back into place, no trouble.

2. I'm getting better at interacting with people, getting more comfortable with it... coming out of my shell, so to speak. Not that I dont still have problems, mind you. I'm still on the spectrum with all that comes with. I still need to sort of de-stress for awhile after any day where I do some socializing. But still... better.

3. Reconnected with an old friend! That's been a super positive thing. A lot of great interactions and he's been very supportive of my main issue and such.

4. Getting out and walking more often. Well, okay, it's not THAT much more often, I've never been content to stay in the house for long. But at least a bit more often. Helps that I live in the country now, instead of the Traffic Vortex.

5. I get over my anxiety spells and mood spirals a lot quicker.

6. Art! That one image of the pink-haired girl, that's the best thing I've done. I was super happy that I could make something like that.

7. And I have more hobbies these days than I used to, which has been VERY helpful for mental health.


That's some of mine. Often assisted by those around me, and all you lovely people on the forum here.

Wanna tell me some of yours? Showcase some of the things you've improved on, things you've accomplished recently?

 

[Aspychata]

So positive @Misery . Thanks for posting. I am stepping up with more truth with those around me, (translation- no masking). That can be freedom. Some guy was trying to run l am serious about you, and l called him out on it. The minute you get older, guys think your brain turns to mush, and l won't call you out on love-bombing.

 

[VictorR]

Great thread idea!

Here's some things for me over the past year:

1. Better recognizing when I'm in need of help and to seek it and talk to others, rather than to hold things in.

2. Taking time off work when needed for mental health reasons.

3. Joined several in person and online groups and have been attending events, which helps with feeling more connected with others in general.

4. Worrying less about things that I can't control.

5. Living life more in the moment.

 

[Metalhead]

I burned off 25lbs in the last two months and now I need to wear a belt with every pair of pants I own.

I also am off alcohol today, every day away from that is another victory for me.

 

[Misery]

I also am off alcohol today, every day away from that is another victory for me.

Ya know, I just wanna say... this remains one of my favorite success stories that I've seen on this forum in my time here.

Seriously. It's a monumental achievement for you to have defeated that.

I am stepping up with more truth with those around me, (translation- no masking).

Well, congrats on that one. It aint easy to do! But it sure is freeing/liberating, or whatever word is used here.

1. Better recognizing when I'm in need of help and to seek it and talk to others, rather than to hold things in.

This is a really good one, I think. And something I still need to work on myself. It can be hard to ask for help, or even recognize when it is needed. Getting to that point... not easy. Progressing on that one... very well done.

 

[Luca]

Learning that quality of friendships is way more important than quantity. Even if people are going to make fun of me for only having a few friends, I have learned that it's extremely important to be able to tell people when they are not welcome in my life anymore.

Some people are more hurtful than helpful, some people thrive on drama and conflict, some people want to take advantage of any resource I can provide until it's gone, and most importantly there are some things I cannot "agree to disagree" on in the current state of the world.

I've been bullied for my entire life for having no friends, or just a few friends, but I guess that's better than having toxic friends that re-traumatized me to the point that I needed to ask for a different antidepressant because mine stopped being effective.
I'm not being dramatic, that actually happened.

 

[autism-and-autotune]

Okay, I'm in the mood to make a big positive thread.

I was thinking about this recently during dull moments, which is that I've had a ton of general improvements and such in recent times. I had the idea that listing this sort of thing out can really sometimes help with understanding how far one has come, and to realize certain things you may not have realized you even did.

Stuff like:

1. Less pain! Like, a lot less! I havent had The Headache in ages, my lower back pain is somehow *entirely* gone... I dont know how that happened... and my arm doesnt flare up nearly as often. And there's things I can do now that would have given me trouble a year or two ago. Like any time I need to interact with the battery... it's in a super awkward position, under my art desk, I have to sorta clamber down there to get at it. Go back a year or so and that would have been hard to do and would have left me sore. Now? Nope. Did that earlier when putting the Xbox back into place, no trouble.

2. I'm getting better at interacting with people, getting more comfortable with it... coming out of my shell, so to speak. Not that I dont still have problems, mind you. I'm still on the spectrum with all that comes with. I still need to sort of de-stress for awhile after any day where I do some socializing. But still... better.

3. Reconnected with an old friend! That's been a super positive thing. A lot of great interactions and he's been very supportive of my main issue and such.

4. Getting out and walking more often. Well, okay, it's not THAT much more often, I've never been content to stay in the house for long. But at least a bit more often. Helps that I live in the country now, instead of the Traffic Vortex.

5. I get over my anxiety spells and mood spirals a lot quicker.

6. Art! That one image of the pink-haired girl, that's the best thing I've done. I was super happy that I could make something like that.

7. And I have more hobbies these days than I used to, which has been VERY helpful for mental health.


That's some of mine. Often assisted by those around me, and all you lovely people on the forum here.

Wanna tell me some of yours? Showcase some of the things you've improved on, things you've accomplished recently?

Thanks for chiming in with some positivity! I'm very happy for you.

Hmm...I guess some positive things for me are that I've become better at recognizing autistic aspects of myself and communicating better. Sort of...like when I'm shutting down or tired, and I can express that it's not me but my autism?


I keep making progress with recording Bach, even though there's more music I want to learn and perfect and work on...but it's so much *work*! D:

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

A tough one for me right now, but I’ll give it a go:

I’m taking voice lessons and making progress in reclaiming vocal skills.

I did connect with one friend from the past.

l’m making some progress in learning how to live without my work.

 

[Darkkin]

1.) I can admit I have severe impostor syndrome.

2.) I went to an open mic night geared toward neurodivergents and shared a couple of pieces of my work (poetry, such as it is.)

No one threw tomatoes, (or it might be that the simple cost of produce...), but it was the fact that I shared work with a live group of people outside of an academic setting or critique group is huge. Generally, I try to avoid interacting with the public on principle. I never share, never show anything from my inner workings, so this was a leap.

When you walk around with the knowledge that you're a nuisance or an inconvenience to others simply by existing, you don't want to ask for time or space because you're taking their time, space, and attention...I occupied space instead of disappearing from it.

 

[Aspychata]

@Darkkin
Sometimes l felt that way from emotional neglect growing up. It's very difficult to get thru, but you took a giant step by doing the open mike. We also turn into our own worse critics and self-sabotage ourselves instead of facing our fears. That's why this forum has been really great, shutting down my nasty critic.

 

[Bolletje]

I made a profile on a dating app (first time for everything) and I felt confident about myself to just use an everyday picture (no makeup, no filters, no series of selfies) and to explicitly state my neurodiversity and what I’m looking for.

 

[Misery]

Learning that quality of friendships is way more important than quantity. Even if people are going to make fun of me for only having a few friends,

Someone who would push you around for that, probably has about 5 bazillion "friends" on Facebook or something, but cant see the sarcasm behind those quotation marks. Because that's the only type of so-called "friendship" that they've managed to acquire. The superficial sort.

You're absolutely doing well, by comparison, I say.

Also: Dogs. Need I say more?

Hmm...I guess some positive things for me are that I've become better at recognizing autistic aspects of myself and communicating better. Sort of...like when I'm shutting down or tired, and I can express that it's not me but my autism?

Yes! This one is important! It took me freakin' forever to realize this one myself and be able to express it. But it's so darned GOOD once you're able to hit that point, yeah?

I’m taking voice lessons and making progress in reclaiming vocal skills.

Well done, it's not at all easy to take back lost skills, or reintegrate unused rusty ones. That takes a lot of effort to do. Sounds like you're doing it though.

2.) I went to an open mic night geared toward neurodivergents and shared a couple of pieces of my work (poetry, such as it is.)

Wow. That's something I could never do. Actually having to get up in front of a crowd... yeah. That'd be beyond my pay grade. Kudos for that, that takes some real courage to do.

We also turn into our own worse critics and self-sabotage ourselves instead of facing our fears.

One of the hardest lessons to learn, I think. I wish it was easier...

I made a profile on a dating app (first time for everything) and I felt confident about myself to just use an everyday picture (no makeup, no filters, no series of selfies) and to explicitly state my neurodiversity and what I’m looking for.

Okay I'll admit, dating-related stuff goes entirely over my head, but I can at least recognize that the confidence you've felt is admirable.

 

[Wolfnox]

Worked a whole year.

Working out my stomach muscles some improvement.

Survived a really bad existential crisis depression.

Not far from next birthday.

 

[Rodafina]

197 days sober.

 

[MNAus]

1.) I can admit I have severe impostor syndrome.

2.) I went to an open mic night geared toward neurodivergents and shared a couple of pieces of my work (poetry, such as it is.)

Incredible achievements. I'm tackling imposter syndrome too and can't imagine summoning that level of bravery. I did do a few on stage events recently, but nothing as brave as sharing something that personal. Well done. Wow.

 

[Georgia Galaxy]

I'd say mine has mostly been being there for my family, even though it drains my energy at times and sometimes I'm uncomfortable Also proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone, like sleeping in different beds and spending extended time with people. Sleeping in different beds and moving around a lot has been a little hard for me lately, but I like it ^^;

 

[Georgia Galaxy]

A tough one for me right now, but I’ll give it a go:

I’m taking voice lessons and making progress in reclaiming vocal skills.

I did connect with one friend from the past.

l’m making some progress in learning how to live without my work.

Aww.... I'm making progress in how to live without my Mum being alive :,) <3

 

[Georgia Galaxy]

Thanks for chiming in with some positivity! I'm very happy for you.

Hmm...I guess some positive things for me are that I've become better at recognizing autistic aspects of myself and communicating better. Sort of...like when I'm shutting down or tired, and I can express that it's not me but my autism?


I keep making progress with recording Bach, even though there's more music I want to learn and perfect and work on...but it's so much *work*! D:

Dang, Bach!! That's cool! Isn't that like a classical composer or something? We're both musicians

 

[Georgia Galaxy]

Learning that quality of friendships is way more important than quantity. Even if people are going to make fun of me for only having a few friends, I have learned that it's extremely important to be able to tell people when they are not welcome in my life anymore.

Some people are more hurtful than helpful, some people thrive on drama and conflict, some people want to take advantage of any resource I can provide until it's gone, and most importantly there are some things I cannot "agree to disagree" on in the current state of the world.

I've been bullied for my entire life for having no friends, or just a few friends, but I guess that's better than having toxic friends that re-traumatized me to the point that I needed to ask for a different antidepressant because mine stopped being effective.
I'm not being dramatic, that actually happened.

You're making the right choice for yourself and I'm all for it <3

 

[Georgia Galaxy]

Great thread idea!

Here's some things for me over the past year:

1. Better recognizing when I'm in need of help and to seek it and talk to others, rather than to hold things in.

2. Taking time off work when needed for mental health reasons.

3. Joined several in person and online groups and have been attending events, which helps with feeling more connected with others in general.

4. Worrying less about things that I can't control.

5. Living life more in the moment.

I'm very similar to you in all of these aspects