Some of the hardest times of the year for me is during the holidays. I am a person who thrives on structure and routine but unfortunately those schedules are thrown out the window. Luckily my wonderful family knows of my issues and have all hands on deck to get me over the hump.
The most traditional way for me to bring in a holiday is by having a meltdown the night before a celebration is about to occur. Although I never plan on having one it seems like it is my body’s natural reaction to all the changes that will be going on in the setting around me. While I can never tell when it is about to occur my family can sense it from a mile away. I find it very beneficial that my family is so in tune as they will pull me aside and tell me to watch television or do another activity to help me relax. Afterward I always feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle all the tasks ahead of me.
Another mechanism that works wonders for me is having a list or agenda of all the events that will be taking place during the course of the day. This past Thanksgiving I felt like I was a chicken running around in circles without a head. Everything seemed like a three-ring circus and I simply could not sort anything out. Apparently my mom knew I was getting lost in the shuffle as she put her responsibilities on the back burner to help me get organized. I was told what would be happening throughout the day and given one job at a time to not become overwhelmed.
When the out-of-town guests arrived at my home to celebrate Thanksgiving I was greeted with a sense of calmness that I never felt before. Usually I get a feeling of dread as I know the noise and movement level will be multiplied by five. I am not sure if it was because I had a meltdown before everyone came over but I was able to hold it together the entire weekend without additional issues. For the first time I can honestly say I enjoyed myself and the company of those around me. Hopefully now that I know what works best for me I can look forward to having more enjoyable holidays with my family.
Thank you for reading!!
Autistic Female
Autistic Female's Blog 