Self-Care Backfired – And Nearly Derailed All My Autistic Unmasking Progress

A woman looking off to the side, surrounded by a green foreground. Text next to her reads: "My Self-care Attempt Came Crashing Down".
I got up early to avoid a potential issue with where I was staying overnight, which reminded me of another time I had a similar issue, over a misunderstanding at a campground in Arkansas.
Self-Care Backfired - And Nearly Derailed All My Autistic Unmasking Progress

I got up early to avoid a potential issue with where I was staying overnight, which reminded me of another time I had a similar issue, over a misunderstanding at a campground in Arkansas. I relate both stories, and share how that misunderstanding nearly derailed years of personal growth and nearly sent me back into my shell. (And how I avoided that.) It also triggered a grieving of years of being misunderstood and my intentions misinterpreted for the worse.

BTW, I forgot to finish the story with the sheriff.
Here’s what happened (part 2): The Uncomfortable Combination Of People Pleasing And Demand Avoidance

Topic

  • 00:00 Finding a place to park
  • 03:41 A similar incident
  • 10:55 Being misunderstood
  • 11:52 Not going back
  • 14:45 Good decisions, bad outcomes
  • 21:24 Grieving the past
  • 25:53 Other people’s journeys
  • 30:38 Choosing to believe

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Picture of Heather Cook

Heather Cook

Hi, I’m Heather. I’m an Autistic writer, advocate, and life coach, and I'm building a life I love. I help other Autistics to build their own autism-positive life. I love reading, jigsaw puzzles, just about every -ology, and Star Trek!

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