Undigenous - Tumblr Posts

My mom needs to see this.

As someone who is autistic, I cannot, CANNOT emphasize enough the damage the mantra of 'Do or do not, there is no try' did to me. Is it a quote from a fictional mutilated frog in a just as fictional universe? Yes. Did people take it onboard as an actual Thing to Live By? Yes.

Here's the deal- for me, and a ton of other neurodivergent people, trying is tantamount to one of the greatest efforts we can give. Trying is our best some days. It's giving it our all. We're gonna screw up, and fail, and probably be a little bit sad and angry because of it, but lemme tell you a secret.

Doing things halfway, means we tried. It means we didn't just walk away from it. For me for example, if I'm so depressed or in such a sensory-sensitive space that I can't unload the dishwasher, I might still be able to gather all the dirty dishes and put them in one spot for later. Can't shower? I can still run a warm washcloth over my face and put some deodorant on.

You get the gist. If you have a loved one - family, friend, or otherwise - who is on the spectrum or neurodivergent in some way and you see them struggling, don't push them to 'just do it'. Praise them for trying, encourage their efforts and don't get angry if they have to stop.

Trying is doing.