u/ukreader

I feel senses very intensely, which often feels like a negative thing. I watched a BBC clip yesterday about the heightened positive sensations that also come with autism, and it made me want to think about the good ones for a change. Here are mine:

• walking in the woods. the most beautiful, peaceful sight to me is woods.
• a really deep stretch. sometimes I do made up stretches based on what feels good to my body and it feels amazing
• the sound of rain on the roof when I'm inside and cozy
• fleece on my skin. bliss
• a massage
• a molten lava cake with ice cream

I’ve always found tight things around my abdomen uncomfortable, but it’s gotten a lot worse over the past few years and I can now barely wear any pants. I don’t think its anything medical because it’s been happening for years without any other symptoms. I think it’s also partially psychological. generally any tightness around my belly button area makes me feel sort of nauseous and unwell.
I now wear mostly dresses and jumpsuits which is fine in summer but trickier in winter.

Does anyone else experience this?

I wanted to share my go-to meal ideas on hard days, and hopefully hear some ideas from the community too.

When I'm struggling, my food aversions get more intense and I prefer gentler meals, but I also try to get some nutrients in. I also deal with blood sugar issues where I feel faint if I have too many carbs without enough protein, so I try to focus on getting enough protein.

These are my three go-to meals for hard days. They're all no-chop, one pot to clean, and take less than 10 minutes.

1. Rice noodle soup: Add frozen chopped spinach, corn, and/or peas to a pot with a little water, soy sauce, sesame oil, and part of a stock cube. Bring to the boil, then add rice noodles, peanut butter, and swirl in an egg, breaking it up. I usually add hot sauce at the end. This one is really versatile and easy to adapt based on what you have.
2. Bean dip: Mix refried beans, salsa, and cream cheese in a cast iron pan, top with grated cheese, and put it under the grill (broiler if you're in the US I think?). Eat with tortilla chips. Not the healthiest but sometimes it really hits the spot.
3. High protein smoothie: Blend oats, frozen blueberries, soy milk, peanut butter, and a little honey. Easy to swap things out, fairly healthy, and even on my hardest days I can manage this one.

Would love to hear what other people do when food aversion makes eating hard!

Over the past few years I've found pants increasingly uncomfortable but I live somewhere cold and I'm struggling with alternatives. Most jumpsuits aren't work appropriate for me, and my legs get cold in dresses. I hate every pair of tights I've tried. Can anyone recommend specific items of clothing that work for them? Specific brands/model names very welcome!