Thought the jester-style collar/cuffs would be a good first project for a beginner. I used YouTube + this https://www.mailleartisans.org/articles/articledisplay.php?key=280 to do it
I’m glad it looks neat, but not sure that an equilateral triangle makes sense for what I’m going for. How do I get that tapered look?
Thank you editors for your impeccable humor
I’m dragging myself out of a long season of burnout from being a new working mom that resulted in unemployment, deep depression, and my formal diagnosis of ASD.
I have always had “resting bitch face” since I was young which is 1 already a gross term and
2 something I’m finally realizing is an autistic trait. It takes me significant energy to plaster a literal mask on so others don’t think I’m mad/annoyed/sad all day at work and out in public. When i don’t mask it has created problems for me including bullying, abuse, conflict, etc. It is exhausting to try to explain myself while trying to understand why others are trying so hard to tell me how I feel.
I am married to a wonderful man who adores me and has supported me through many mental health challenges for about a decade now. I struggle with meltdowns and with emotional regulation related to rejection sensitivity. We are generally solid as a couple, but unmasking has started to clash with his ADHD in ways I did not anticipate.
For instance, he can go on and on about his special interests such as sports or video games. I can be respectful and attentive, but I am no longer able to feign deep interest the way I would with a colleague. He will go into great detail about his day while I have no desire to talk at all sometimes after work. I have been so depleted as a result of my burnout that I need either a nap or solitude right when I get home from work-which is when my husband wants to talk and cuddle and all the things that my overloaded nervous system doesn’t want.
I am new to approaching this from an autistic lens. I have started to share my needs in small ways “I’m too overstimulated right now, can we turn down the lights” “I think this is not the best time to have that conversation” etc.
I guess im looking to see I’m not alone and to see if it’s possible to have a thriving marriage with the social communication challenges that autism can present. I like the idea of being loved for who I am, but I understand that my unmasked self is very hard to be around or relate to.