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It's been a long couple of years. I'm starting on my third year in my job, and I'm realising I need to be willing to take care of myself. As per the statement circulating on Tumblr, I need to schedule time for maintenance, or it will be scheduled for me (my body and brain are both being very clear on this). Between the autism and the RSI, I am starting to realise I can't just barrel forward through life throwing myself at things until I collapse - it isn't a sustainable strategy any more (not that it ever was in the first place).
So I'm being a lot more definite about my downtime - making sure it is actually down time, rather than spending the time being just as busy as I would be at work, only in other directions. I'm spending a bit of time and effort on treating myself - giving myself nice things, rather than living the rather Spartan lifestyle I've become accustomed to through being on unemployment benefits. This doesn't mean I'm heading straight for the consumerist life - not by any means (I mean, first I'd have to figure out a way to be able to cope with the sensory overload of heading in to the average shopping mall, which hasn't happened). But it does mean I'm doing things like buying a few flavours of tea I liked from the sampler pack I was given by my Secret Santa at work (must get around to putting up the reviews), and taking the time to have some nice tea at home rather than rushing through everything.
I've started writing regularly again - the plan is to do at least 100 words a day on one of two projects. I figure 100 words a day isn't too much to aim for, because even on a low brain day, I can manage to string a drabble's worth of words together - even if it's just outlining, plotting, scribbling down background notes or whatever. I'm happier when I'm writing regularly, so I may as well make time in my day to do this. Plus the 100 words add up over time, and get me closer to actually completing some of these projects I've started but then paused on.
I've re-started the "three things that went right" practice again, after another bout of the miseries (again, I need to schedule maintenance, or my brain will schedule it for me), and I may just sit down and write up a list of all the positive things in my life at present (not so much "counting my blessings" as just reminding my brain they exist).
At present, the aim is just getting these few things solidified - get used to actually using my down-time as down-time, rather than "searching for things to do so I don't stop moving" time; keep treating myself kindly wherever possible; keep up the daily writing practices; and keep up the "what went right" notifications. Maybe once these are settled habits, I'll look into things like actually finding a new GP (my current one isn't the greatest fit for me); finding a new psychologist (I need to do this, but I don't have the spoons at present); and getting a bit further with the NDIS paperwork to get myself support that way.
(Yes, I do need support in day-to-day living, despite outwardly having things sufficiently "together" to be able to handle working four days a week).
So I'm being a lot more definite about my downtime - making sure it is actually down time, rather than spending the time being just as busy as I would be at work, only in other directions. I'm spending a bit of time and effort on treating myself - giving myself nice things, rather than living the rather Spartan lifestyle I've become accustomed to through being on unemployment benefits. This doesn't mean I'm heading straight for the consumerist life - not by any means (I mean, first I'd have to figure out a way to be able to cope with the sensory overload of heading in to the average shopping mall, which hasn't happened). But it does mean I'm doing things like buying a few flavours of tea I liked from the sampler pack I was given by my Secret Santa at work (must get around to putting up the reviews), and taking the time to have some nice tea at home rather than rushing through everything.
I've started writing regularly again - the plan is to do at least 100 words a day on one of two projects. I figure 100 words a day isn't too much to aim for, because even on a low brain day, I can manage to string a drabble's worth of words together - even if it's just outlining, plotting, scribbling down background notes or whatever. I'm happier when I'm writing regularly, so I may as well make time in my day to do this. Plus the 100 words add up over time, and get me closer to actually completing some of these projects I've started but then paused on.
I've re-started the "three things that went right" practice again, after another bout of the miseries (again, I need to schedule maintenance, or my brain will schedule it for me), and I may just sit down and write up a list of all the positive things in my life at present (not so much "counting my blessings" as just reminding my brain they exist).
At present, the aim is just getting these few things solidified - get used to actually using my down-time as down-time, rather than "searching for things to do so I don't stop moving" time; keep treating myself kindly wherever possible; keep up the daily writing practices; and keep up the "what went right" notifications. Maybe once these are settled habits, I'll look into things like actually finding a new GP (my current one isn't the greatest fit for me); finding a new psychologist (I need to do this, but I don't have the spoons at present); and getting a bit further with the NDIS paperwork to get myself support that way.
(Yes, I do need support in day-to-day living, despite outwardly having things sufficiently "together" to be able to handle working four days a week).
