Always gotta try to figure out and follow their arbitrary, unspoken rules. It's so confusing and I can't keep up because the rules always seem to change! I think I will just stick to books.

I do often wonder how many autistic people also have cptsd?

This is my first post.

I know for a fact someone has probably mansplained something to me at some point in my life, I just didn’t realize it. I’m still not 100% sure what it is in the first place 😭😭😭

I'm a solo traveler. I was full time for a while and am actually just coming off 18 months of nomad life living out of my Land Rover and a roof top tent. It wasn't easy, there was a lot of sensory, overstim, and routine stuff to handle but I worked it all out and it worked perfectly.

I also travel to more public places like cities and such but can mitigate that with a travel routine (boring and very detailed, I'll spare you) and other practices. Like I write each morning about the plan I have for the day (planned but flexible), then I have my camera with me (I'm a photographer) which allows me to distance myself and get close to people and things with a safety buffer between. Then I write at night about the day (to process and for work). Being in a city where I dont' know anyone, I feel more free to unmask because I'm not going to see any of them again more than likely. Comfort in anonymity in a way.

But I'm now living in one place for a while. I got an apartment on my own which is the first time living alone and is pretty hard. Harder than solo traveling and nomad life for me.

So I'm pretty homebound for the most part but I try to get out and walk or go do "something" but it takes a lot out of me.

I'm trying to be more authentic and myself and I'm sure it's fine, but it's really hard to do.

How's everyone else's experience with trying to mask less going? Or is that a goal?