this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2024
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Occasionally I have these days where I don't feel like doing work or chores. So I'm thinking, why not just enjoy myself, do something that interests me?

But then I don't find any motivation to do anything really. Not even the things I normally enjoy very much.

Typically I would then waste time browsing or watching videos, but that seems to make it worse. How to snap out of this?

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[–] BackOnMyBS@lemmy.autism.place 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I have those periods. I think of them as autistic shutdowns. For me, they happen when I've been overwhelmed by too much stress, interruptions, demands, or sensory overload.

[–] NationProtons@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I think that’s the best way to describe it.

Have you found anything that works for you to rebound quickly?

[–] BackOnMyBS@lemmy.autism.place 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I think it's best to avoid them as much as possible. What I have done is keep a log of what sends me into them so that I can be aware and limit my exposure to these triggers. For me, it's sensory overload, socializing, and stress. Basically, my brain has a certain amount of mental energy it can dedicate to processing, and when that runs out, I hit shutdown.

Given that, what seems to help with recovery is:

  • Quiet time
  • A dark, cool setting
  • Repetitive mindless tasks. For example, mining in Minecraft or looking at memes
  • Listening to or watching something I've seen/heard many times before
  • Sleep
  • Time with calm and quiet people
  • If the shutdown is triggered by social issues, then time with someone validating that could help develop a plan.
[–] NationProtons@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

How do you find a cool spot and quiet time when at work?

I find this very difficult to achieve in an office environment. Although I definitely need it.

Just the though of somebody asking me why I’m sitting somewhere separately makes me uncomfortable. So I tend to avoid taking these kind of breaks. I know, sounds stupid. But I feel so uncomfortable if I’m thinking about how other people will interpret it.

[–] BackOnMyBS@lemmy.autism.place 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I used to go to the bathroom. We had single stalls. You could also go somewhere quiet for lunch, or hang out in your car if that's an option.

[–] NationProtons@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

What do you do then though?

I find myself getting even more tired if i spend that time on my phone for example.

[–] BackOnMyBS@lemmy.autism.place 2 points 4 months ago

At that point, maybe start considering talking to your supervisor, applying for disability accommodations, or changing jobs. You gotta take care of you. If that's not working, everything else goes bad too.