61
submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

This is just something I want to get off my chest. I don’t have autism (at least I’m not diagnosed) but I just hate this.

All these people I’ve last seen when I was a kid and they all want to talk to me and hug me. They tell me I’m so tall now and know so much about topic x (tech most of the time) and I just want to tell them to shut the f up.

Sometimes I need to go into a dark, quiet room and just lay down. Sometimes playing the piano with noise cancelling headphones helps, but then all these people ask me where I’ve been the whole time.

I’ll do things I normally hate, like the dishes, just to have an excuse to be in a different room and put in my headphones.

I just wanted to vent a little, but if you have any, I’m open for advice.

top 10 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

You have people who actually want to care for you. Don't take that for granted... As others said, you may not like it now, but someday you'll regret that. Just be polite and deal with it

[-] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago

I get your point, and sometimes I really like seeing them again, but not so many people at once and in a at home, a small space I normally feel safe in.

[-] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I wish I could say it gets better man. The only advice I can offer is to keep doing what keeps you functional. I cannot count the number of times I had a breakdown because I forced myself to be in a situation I could not handle being in. If stepping away for a while and playing some piano works then it works. Its better than the humiliation of a crashout. If there is something you can do while in a room of people that is soothing I would recommend doing that as well. Personally I like to fidget with pens or metal spheres, I find the weight of them to be pleasant.

Edit: I almost forgot the best advice possible. Find a safe person. Connect with the people who normally attend family gatherings but connect with them in a more 1 on 1 setting. Text works for this just fine imo. Find someone who understands your struggle and go out of your way to hang out with them at these gatherings. I got lucky that one of my cousins is autistic so we just talk at these things and it keeps most people away from us bc we look busy. Its a great system

[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

Thanks, sharkfucker420

[-] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago

I'm gonna go a little against what other commenters are saying here. If you like hanging out with friends and family but not in huge gatherings, then that's certainly a reasonable preference. I would suggest trying to find opportunities to spend time with people in smaller groups, and when you have to be in big groups try to take breaks being totally alone whenever you feel you're reaching your limit, not after you've passed it. Go into a room by yourself, put in foam ear plugs, and put headphones over them with music playing, dim the lights, make a calm and relaxed space for yourself to actually feel like you're alone and just chillin. After 20 minutes of that you'll have recharged your "social battery" (websearch that term if you aren't familiar with it) and then you'll be ready to socialize again for awhile.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago

You a teen, it's fine - we've all been there. I'll tell you something I wish someone had told me when I was a teen - people are trying to reach out to you, but you're actively shutting them down. Quit being a dumb edgy ass and form some memories together - it won't be long until you start missing last chances.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

exactly. eventually, your friends will not be so readily available and you'll be stuck in a rut wishing you could have more people in your life. this is where family enters the picture.

try playing piano for them. use your skills to make others happy and inturn, you'll be happier (and more skilled) because of it.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

ah yes the good old tried and true "you're being weird, stop being weird and start being normal" method

telling people to suck it up because they react differently than you do in similar situations is extremely closed minded, and does nothing but suppress the person they are.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

Yeah, you may have autism. /s

Seriously though, I was the same way when I was younger. And at 61 I’m pretty much still that way. I deal with it now better than then, but it’s still there.

I just know I’m an introvert now. Don’t think I’d heard the term back then.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Maybe next time, try and come up with a fun coping mechanism. Maybe picture each person as a funny thing, ex. Pokemon. If you get distracted, you may not feel as stressed, and each time will get easier. OR make a Bingo card in advance, with all things you think will happen, that might also be a fun distraction. My 2 cents.

this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2025
61 points (100.0% liked)

Autism

8235 readers
1 users here now

A community for respectful discussion and memes related to autism acceptance. All neurotypes are welcome.

Community:

Values

  • Acceptance
  • Openness
  • Understanding
  • Equality
  • Reciprocity
  • Mutuality
  • Love

Rules

  1. No abusive, derogatory, or offensive post/comments e.g: racism, sexism, religious hatred, homophobia, gatekeeping, trolling.
  2. Posts must be related to autism, off-topic discussions happen in the "Hey What's Going On!" daily post.
  3. Your posts must include a text body. It doesn't have to be long, it just needs to be descriptive.
  4. Do not request donations.
  5. Be respectful in discussions.
  6. Do not post misinformation.
  7. Mark NSFW content accordingly.
  8. Do not promote Autism Speaks.
  9. General Lemmy World rules.
  10. No bots. Humans only.

Encouraged

  1. Open acceptance of all autism levels as a respectable neurotype.
  2. Funny memes.
  3. Respectful venting.
  4. Describe posts of pictures/memes using text in the body for our visually impaired users.
  5. Welcoming and accepting attitudes.
  6. Questions regarding autism.
  7. Questions on confusing situations.
  8. Seeking and sharing support.
  9. Engagement in our community's values.
  10. Expressing a difference of opinion without directly insulting another user.
  11. Please report questionable posts and let the mods deal with it.

.

Helpful Resources

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS