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Starting any task unprepared often leads to chaos for me. This chaos manifests as discouraging jumbles of words and thoughts, and sometimes results in binge eating, impulsive book purchases, or losing hours of sleep. However, with adequate preparation, many things become achievable.
Initially, I sought answers by asking countless questions of anyone I thought might help, even those who were dismissive or indifferent. Over time, preparation took the form of creating lists, schemes, and sentences, and filling journals with potential scenarios and scripts, including ways to handle disruptions to my plans.
Discovering mind mapping was transformative; it allowed me to differentiate between main and minor ideas and to devise realistic plans, whether jotted down on paper or noted on a tablet during spare moments.
Being Different
My journey began with the struggle to understand my unique way of thinking and behavior. Initially oblivious to the reasons behind my differences, I explored various survival strategies. I often experienced a dual sense of isolation: one stemming from my physical appearance and another from my communication style, which is shaped by my autistic perception. This duality also influenced how I perceived support and interactions across different environments. The…
