Autism Chrysalis

Category: Van Life

Reflections on My Van Mini-Series

I’m reflecting on what it has been like to take a camera along on my trip and record my thoughts and experiences along the way.

A woman holding her hands in front of her, surrounded by a green foreground. Text next to her reads: "People Pleasing Plus Demand Avoidance".

The Uncomfortable Combination Of People Pleasing And Demand Avoidance

In my last video, I shared the story of being unfairly accused of cheating someone, but forgot to finish with what happened with the sheriff. Here’s the rest of that story.

A woman looking off to the side, surrounded by a green foreground. Text next to her reads: "My Self-care Attempt Came Crashing Down".

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 panicked when I saw the price

When I went in to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, I saw the general admission price and freaked out and panicked. Here’s how I worked through whether or not to pay to go in.

Halfway done is wholly right

I’m revisiting the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where I had a major mental shift six years ago, that helped me let go of the need to complete everything.

A woman with her hands up in the air, surrounded by a green foreground. Text next to her reads: "Not Taking Advice That Doesn't Apply To You".

Trust Your Path: When to Ignore Good Advice

I’m laying out a framework for how to tell whether the advice someone is giving you, or that you find on the Internet, is relevant for you or not.

The Abuse of High Standards

I’m reflecting on how easy it is for high moral standards, high standards of justice, high standards of behavior, or high standards of achievement can be damaging.

A woman gesturing to a window behind her, surrounded by a green foreground. Text next to her reads: "Disabled at a National Park".

National Parks Are For Everyone…Except Me (Being Disabled At National Parks)

Visiting the Great Sand Dunes National Park, I’m disappointed and frustrated that pretty much all the activities are inaccessible to me.

A woman pointing at a chalkboard behind her, surrounded by a green foreground. Text next to her reads: "About St. John's College".

A Retrospective of My St. John’s Great Books Education

At my 20 year college reunion, I’m describing the unique St. John’s College program.

A woman in front of a chalk board, surrounded by a green foreground. Text next to her reads: "Developing Hope In Hard Times".

Developing hope in the hard times in life

I reflect on how the hard times in life, which are all-consuming when you are going through them, are also temporary.

Why Changing My Mind Is So Hard

I’m reflecting on how hard it has been for most of my life to change my mind, change plans, backtrack, and to not follow through with a plan, or with something I’ve said I will do.