Public Announcement, this is not Anxiety

Originally published 29th January 2024 on NeuroDiversity University Blog FaceBook page

So,. I'm laughing away here.

I saw 'a friends request' from someone and thought 'ah OK that's nice, I know they know 'x' so I'll accept that'. And I pressed the 'button'.

Then realised it was a Friends recommendation. Not a request.

I'm Adhd. I speed read. Not by choice .

I realised I may look like a stalker so cancelled it and thought I'd send a message explaining why I look like a stalker.

Basically I sent them a version of this post about why I've randomly asked them to be my Friend.

I also expanded my pickled thoughts, saying:

 'I realise I'm implying anyone sending me a friends request is a stalker, which I'm not. Oh and I'll happily be your Friend if you wanted ."

I feel like 10 year old me again TOTALLY confused by Friendship etiquette and people .

When I was young, I didn't know I was Adhd and Autistic and thought I was weird for not understanding Rules. Friendships were confusing.

I have 2 points to make here, Lovelies.

1. No one explains the Rules. There are no Rules. There are just lots of people who are not clear and who are vague and if I'm honest, the issue lay with the unclearness and lack of clarity. The issue and problem is NOT with the Autistic kids (look up Double Empathy).

2. Can't remember number Two. Oh yes, got it. I find this whole shannanigans funny now because I've recovered lots from Trauma (not completely) and can laugh at the funniness of my ramblings and my big thinking Brain and my waffling and on tripping up on weird Etiquette because, amongst my Adhd and Autistic Community, I found Connection and Safety and healing.

Obviously not everyone in this Community is Safe. But there IS Safety in numbers and the feeling that there are others like me, good people, with big Brains, is just wonderful.

I am not an awkward, anxious bundle of wrongness. Anxiety is not IN me. There's nowt wrong with me.

I'm a wonderful, clumsy, often stumbling Autistic/Adhd person who is better with Detail and Plans and Consistency and Clarity and that's ok.

Background of a grey spotty table cloth and a grey parcel just delivered. I have no idea/memory of what it is. My poor memory is sometimes a gift of Surprise  laugh emoji. I'm generally NOT good with Surprises.