November 26, 2018

As the holiday season begins, please remember:

IT’S OKAY TO SAY NO.

If you’re not sure how, here are some ideas…

When you’re running low on spoons at a party: “Just a heads up, I can only stay about half an hour more.”

When someone wants to hang out: “Can you join me at this event I’m already going to? If not, let’s put something on the calendar for early January.”

When you’re technically free a certain day, but scheduling one more thing will make your week too full to handle: “Sorry, I can’t that day.”

“Can” and “can’t” are honest. What they mean is: “This is what I am capable of doing at this moment, while preserving my peace, love, strength, and sanity.”

And that is reason enough.

P.S. I write from my personal experience as an autistic. What I share is not a substitute for advice from an autistic medical professional. Also, some of my opinions have changed since I first wrote them.