Many things I initially thought were aspects of #mecfs #fibromyalgia #depression #anxiety & other stuff, I've since reimagined as aspects of my #autism & #ADHD

As an adult I've experienced an increasing inability to maintain sufficient energy levels, or regenerate my energy levels through recognising the need to slow down, take a break, pace myself & get adequate sleep, etc. The primary theme of advice from healthcare professionals has been variations of: exercise more, take multivitamins, meditate, be more positive, etc... Many healthcare professionals have treated me as if I've spent my lifetime sitting on the couch eating junk food & being wilfully miserable; waiting for the consequences of a bad lifestyle to take effect

One day I discovered #spoontheory which resonated well, having fibro & CFS. Much later I discovered I'm #ActuallyAutistic, in fact #AuDHD, inspiring me to learn everything I could about #neurodivergence. My research included discovering the concept of #AutisticBurnout - BOOM 💥🤯

I've been adept at #masking throughout my life. Since I embraced being #neurodivergent I don't mask as much, but I still do it. I tend to avoid situations that might cause me to mask rather than adopting strategies to manage my autism stuff. All this chronic masking, over such a long period of time, has significantly contributed to autistic burnout for me, which seems to be my natural state these days, sprinkled with sporadic & pleasantly surprising bursts of ooomph

The only positive thing about #mosquitoes is that they entice more #dragonflies to the yard

The #VicFloods have caused an explosion in mosquito numbers - they're huge & they're hungry

Every #Spring I say "I've never seen so many", but this year my complaint is legitimate & not just a #whinge

Murphy Mae having an afternoon nap 😴

#dogsofmastodon