u/Adorable-Insect-9201

Hey everyone. I’m not much of a traveler, I am a Boston local. I’m a college student (F21 if that matters), and though I spent some time living in rural NH, I don’t have extensive backpacking or camping experience now. I took a weekend excursion out of providence and it was so easygoing I was in shock, though I was with some acquaintances. Recently I’ve been more interested in getting outside of the city, taking trips to areas that would be beautiful to see and take photographs/sketches.

I’m a painter so I am itching for the material to draw, and also have some newfound freedoms as a single person who enjoys their own company. I’m just getting a bit… sick of the city scene. I work and go to school full time, bit over the summer with commissions and remote jobs it’s not so strenuous, I really only work in the lab a few days a week. Id love to see if there’s any recommendations for someone who has some extra cash but not all that much, and really only wants to venture out of the state for a few days. I also don’t want to take a plane. Recently went both on Amtrak and bus and loved it!

So, really I’d like to know if anyone has tried somewhat short and impulsive excursions and any ideas, or if it is wise at all for a young woman to travel alone. I suppose I don’t want to be ruled by fear anymore, and I tolerate traveling in the city at night by myself every day. But my risk assessment may be skewed…

Anyways tldr solo-travel NE/SE areas, young person with minimal experience, smallish budget and time. Suggestions?

Hello, so I am an autistic adult who is currently in school and working part time, but financially supported by my family. I know this will not last, nor do I want to be reliant on these adults who have to their own responsibilities to take care of themselves. The problem is, while I was an incredible student and current undergrad, I am a horrid employee. Even though I am beyond grown, I still experience meltdowns that occur and build up in environments where (lacking autonomy to leave of my own accord) I will act like a child. Or I am very confused without very direct communication and even then I continue to ask questions without knowing this is unwanted.

I am studying multiple things in school and I love it, I adore learning. My special interest is artistic and I study that as well, and feel competent. The class environment has been triggering at times but my struggles have never gotten to a point where it affected my GPA or warranted expulsion. But in most jobs, it is quite different. I need to have energy for my special interest and being lost in my head, or thinking for long durations internally. At my current job in assistance, this is great. But I am in a very dry small wing and minimal hours. Does anyone have any advice on autistic adults and employment? Intellectually, I am above average. However, my short amount of energy and desire to conserve enough to continue my art practice (which feels so ingrained within my being that to go without would be… difficult…); this is what I find impossible. If I am interested in academics, should I continue that? I’d love to have a PhD or Masters in my other special interest as I adore it and want to write about the concept in full. But if I also need a full time job while being a researcher for a PhD, I think I would either fall short on supporting myself or have health complications.

Especially for a younger person, what are some very low-impact environments with minimal interaction/noise that could be suitable post-undergraduate that could help me save for the time before I decide to return to school or not? I was wondering on lab work, or library or archival work. All these, I find I would enjoy, but I do not want to add more money or investment on further education after my bachelors (biology/psych). Any help, advice, or encouragement would be appreciated. It’s very challenging to be a high functioning autistic and work. We have the expectations of any person, and I am mostly seen as odd but fully competent. But I let my mask slip, or react in an autistic way, and I am faced with embarrassment, judgement, and deep shame. :(

Just read Convenience Store Woman by Japanese author Sayaka Murata. Quick read and engrossing, I completed it in hours. I have yet to see such a rich, unique, yet authentic story of a main character with undiagnosed autism. Anyone on this sub should read it as soon as possible. She works part time in the same job for decades, a convenience store, as it is very predictable and comfortable for her. She seems at peace, this is her special interest. She feels like she can engage with society through her interest, and this is the one thing she feels equipped to do, as though she cannot think of much else, even in her sleep. The character has high masking behaviors and verbally constructs all the thoughts in one’s head while masking, as well as being so perceptive of the actions and mimicry of neurotypicals that is done reflexively. She laments often how her emulation is not ‘like’ others, and is frequently called broken or different in a fundamental way. I found both this desire to be accepted by negotiating societal norms, confusion with what the world ‘tells’ you you should want, the judgment of family, the confusion and being taken advantage of (especially by men who project their insecurities onto you), I can go on. It’s a fantastic read, moving yet poignant, with a rather liberating ending for me.

Murata is a favorite of mine, I wouldn’t be surprised if she were autistic for the wonderful way she writes her main characters immeshed with trauma and neurodivergence in a very raw, sometimes devastating way that also does not pathologize the MC.