Goodwill stores, at least where i live, are good for people in shaky situations. More accepting of people with special needs, circumstances. Mention cuz, not the type of work you’re looking for… for me, been out of work so long (8 years), me getting a p/t job at goodwill, committing, proving i can keep it, it’s the only way better paying jobs will take me seriously.

Would like the 75k per year tech job I had b4 becoming homeless. But have to be realistic, start small.

I tried to open a bank account at a credit union while homeless. Had $42k on my direct express card, finally on SSI, lump sum was for the previous year while unable to work.

No debts, never used a credit card. Couldn’t open a bank account. Had to go thru a program that assigned me a fake credit card debt that I had to pay off for 6 months to get my credit score high enough.

Credit scores are a scam.

Artist here. Gesso makes flimsy paper more durable, better able to withstand wetness, layering. I’ve used spray adhesive, various liquid adhesives that can turn paper more stiff, solid, crisp. Maybe try calling an art supplies store, they might have ideas

Asperger syndrome and long term relationships. Woman author, last name Wiley, I think. She talks about her relationship with asperger partner.

The ethical slut. Odd, but it helped a lot, taught me how to communicate with people.

How to win friends and influence people. A bit cheap, scammy like. But has few good parts.

Go online, research the different ways autism peeps and neurotypicals communicate. Really fascinating. When autism people think of communicating, it’s the sharing of thoughts, ideas. Neurotypicals, it’s about elaborate rituals, almost a dance, they need it to know they’re included, have been accepted into the social group.

Fascinating from an anthropology perspective.

Heck yes. Lot of creative people with fascinating stories.

Yep. Most people in psych wards are struggling, need to process, deal. A typical dynamic I’d find: in the common room during free time, a few would be hanging out, socializing. Some sitting in corner would look over, and you could see they wanted to join, but were scared to. So one of us would say, hey if you want to sit with us, feel free. Some would accept, take chair next to us, and they’d sit quietly, and we’d leave them be, not pressure. Some would thaw, start engaging more. And some would leave, go sit in a corner.

Sometimes, I’d be that person, and be grateful for them reaching out, offering to include me.

This can translate to outer world. Just, normal world, can be hard to connect, people are less honest, less weird. I do better with weird. =)

Used to. Constantly wanting their approval, ways to impress them, make them like me. Constantly trying, making an effort to connect, join.

Then realized was focusing on my needs. Often, people so wrapped up in their own drama, realized I wasn’t the center of the universe. So I stopped trying.

Once I did that, weird thing happened. People started to come to me, wanting to chat, hang out.

Of course, this was in a psych ward, and I’m 43, no friends, living in a crappy studio apt, and only people I talk to are myself and random strangers on the internet. So what do I know.

I’m old enough to have seen fads, social movements, come and go, technology changing constantly. I’ve learned one must adapt, things always change, and one should be careful about what one gets used to, what one depends on. Sometimes you have a good thing, then it dissappears. What matters is how you respond. I’ve learned to prepare for emergencies, what would I do if this is suddenly taken away?

Reddit was where I realized the online world has changed a lot the past 2 or so decades. Back in the day, we’d actively curate, use rss feeds, find a bunch of sites we liked, and create our own customized feeds.

But by the time of reddit, we were no longer doing that work for ourselves. I started to notice a pronounced echo chamber effect, less variety, seeing same stuff over and over.

2 decades ago I got the cutest kitten from the local shelter. I loved that cat. Started to notice, he was getting increasingly skittish around me. I realized cuz… I didn’t realize I was doing it, I was never mean. but whenever he’d jump on me, wake me up, scratch something… my freaked out, startled response I think started to scare him.

Would love to get another cat, but that it might become scared, uneasy around me… don’t want to risk it.

Dbt. Cbt.

Starter exercise. There’s a teacup sitting on the table in front if you. Look at it. What’s its shape, color, how is light hitting it? Slowly reach for it, pick ut up, feel the weight in your hands… can do this, with any object, for just 30 seconds once a week. Over time, becomes habit.

At all times, there is chatter going on in your brain. All you need to do is recognize it. Whenever I feel thoughts spiraling out of control, I say a 4 word phrase. Others use different tactics. One person drove a lot for work, and when pulling into intersection, if they saw a stop sign, instant reminder. … practicing this til it becomes habit.

Narrating your actions. I’m back from walk, approaching door, hand on door knobs, taking keys out of my pocket. Narrating forces you to slow down, step by step.

Slow, calm breathing from the diaphragm.

Stop, close eyes. One by one, focus on each of your senses. Taste in mouth. Smell of wet leaves. Warm wind against skin, etc.

The 5 w’s. Recite. My name is, I’m a human, it’s this time and day, I’m at this location, this is why I’m here.

That’s just to start.

Or you set your keys or wallet on a counter, and entire time you stare intently at it. not breaking eye contact, only way you won’t forget.

Thought pop-ups in my head, I need to research about it. I alt tab, click in search bar… and I stare dumb at the blinking cursor… mind blank. Have to catch it fast, light speed, or it’s gone.