I’m gonna jump in here with my own two cents as well!
I am most certainly ecologically conscious so that is part of it. Although it’s probably also an excuse and something to make myself feel better about it.
The main reason is that I feel like I would be a danger to others lol. I used to ride motorbikes (plural because I crashed all 3 of them), absolutely sucked at it and wrecked my knees in the process. And I just feel like it’s one of these areas in life where everyone else seems to just automatically know how to do it correctly but no one is sharing the secret. I mean, I was bad, I even wiped out once or twice just slowing down for an intersection and hitting the brakes too quickly or something (to this day I’m still not 100% sure what I did wrong).
Even with bicycles. It didn’t take long to learn to balance and pedal and whatever but beyond that I was awful and crashed for stupid, preventable reasons. Also tried skateboarding at one point and seemed to have a knack for hitting every small stone in the road that would lock my wheel up and send me flying.
I worry that I’m behind the wheel of a car, I’m gonna daydream or something, or do something stupid and wrong that I don’t even realise because apparently it’s obvious to everyone else except me. And then injure someone other than myself this time. At least if I fuck up on a motorbike, it’s going to likely just be me facing the consequences and I won’t take out a family with me.
I’ve also started priding myself with walking though. I’m part of a select few that could walk from here to the next town over if I felt like it, and I like being part of a select few. It also keeps me slightly in shape. The “fast metabolism” that I coasted on for years has definitely slowed down and I’m definitely getting a little bit of a belly now. And if I drove everywhere instead of walking, I’d probably be in much worse shape right now.
Not diagnosed but at this point I’m about 99% sure I’m high masking either ADHD or autism or both. I don’t like self diagnosing personally (ever since coming across a warning against it when I did psych 101 and 102) but starting to feel like I need to for my own sake, just so that I can find the resources I need to live successfully.
Tried going through the public healthcare system for a diagnosis and was left with the impression that unless I have visible tics and ‘act’ like something is wrong, I’m not going to be getting any help there.
It’s a nightmare. I was incredibly lucky my doctor made it work for me and got me diagnosed. Work then had no choice but to send me for a full assessment. Changed my life. Is there any other route you can go down eg work education local charity etc?
I haven’t actually looked into if there are any charities dealing with diagnosis. That might be a possibility. I’ve never been in any job that would bother though. South Africa has this thing about being ‘tough’ and too cool for school all the time. If I had to bring it up to a boss, I’d probably be laughed at and called “gay” or something. Or be told something like “we’re all a little autistic, deal with it”. I’m 100% making assumptions because I’ve never tried it but I think I’ve got this place pretty well figured out by now.
I think my only option is private, which means that it’s just another thing that needs saving up for. On a growing list of things I need money for.
Glad to hear that you’re finally getting answers. I really get the impression that you’re on a mission to live your best life right now and I love that. I’m not completely giving up myself. I’ll still lurk in neurodivergent spaces and pick up tips and learn things. Just without any medication I guess (unless you count self medicating with pot).
Yep saving for it is a nightmare. Lurking is a really good idea you’ll pick up loads from peoples lived experiences and we’ll all 100% help you however we can 😊
I’ve definitely picked up that people in these spaces are mainly accepting and understanding. And sympathetic to people who feel their only option is self diagnosis. So the final barrier is me wondering if I really belong as usual lol. But I’m learning to get over myself and allow myself to find my people. Thank you for always being so kind.
I’m gonna jump in here with my own two cents as well!
I am most certainly ecologically conscious so that is part of it. Although it’s probably also an excuse and something to make myself feel better about it.
The main reason is that I feel like I would be a danger to others lol. I used to ride motorbikes (plural because I crashed all 3 of them), absolutely sucked at it and wrecked my knees in the process. And I just feel like it’s one of these areas in life where everyone else seems to just automatically know how to do it correctly but no one is sharing the secret. I mean, I was bad, I even wiped out once or twice just slowing down for an intersection and hitting the brakes too quickly or something (to this day I’m still not 100% sure what I did wrong).
Even with bicycles. It didn’t take long to learn to balance and pedal and whatever but beyond that I was awful and crashed for stupid, preventable reasons. Also tried skateboarding at one point and seemed to have a knack for hitting every small stone in the road that would lock my wheel up and send me flying.
I worry that I’m behind the wheel of a car, I’m gonna daydream or something, or do something stupid and wrong that I don’t even realise because apparently it’s obvious to everyone else except me. And then injure someone other than myself this time. At least if I fuck up on a motorbike, it’s going to likely just be me facing the consequences and I won’t take out a family with me.
I’ve also started priding myself with walking though. I’m part of a select few that could walk from here to the next town over if I felt like it, and I like being part of a select few. It also keeps me slightly in shape. The “fast metabolism” that I coasted on for years has definitely slowed down and I’m definitely getting a little bit of a belly now. And if I drove everywhere instead of walking, I’d probably be in much worse shape right now.
Are you neurodiverse? Just wondering cos sometimes us neuros are bad drivers
Not diagnosed but at this point I’m about 99% sure I’m high masking either ADHD or autism or both. I don’t like self diagnosing personally (ever since coming across a warning against it when I did psych 101 and 102) but starting to feel like I need to for my own sake, just so that I can find the resources I need to live successfully.
Tried going through the public healthcare system for a diagnosis and was left with the impression that unless I have visible tics and ‘act’ like something is wrong, I’m not going to be getting any help there.
It’s a nightmare. I was incredibly lucky my doctor made it work for me and got me diagnosed. Work then had no choice but to send me for a full assessment. Changed my life. Is there any other route you can go down eg work education local charity etc?
I haven’t actually looked into if there are any charities dealing with diagnosis. That might be a possibility. I’ve never been in any job that would bother though. South Africa has this thing about being ‘tough’ and too cool for school all the time. If I had to bring it up to a boss, I’d probably be laughed at and called “gay” or something. Or be told something like “we’re all a little autistic, deal with it”. I’m 100% making assumptions because I’ve never tried it but I think I’ve got this place pretty well figured out by now.
I think my only option is private, which means that it’s just another thing that needs saving up for. On a growing list of things I need money for.
Glad to hear that you’re finally getting answers. I really get the impression that you’re on a mission to live your best life right now and I love that. I’m not completely giving up myself. I’ll still lurk in neurodivergent spaces and pick up tips and learn things. Just without any medication I guess (unless you count self medicating with pot).
Yep saving for it is a nightmare. Lurking is a really good idea you’ll pick up loads from peoples lived experiences and we’ll all 100% help you however we can 😊
I’ve definitely picked up that people in these spaces are mainly accepting and understanding. And sympathetic to people who feel their only option is self diagnosis. So the final barrier is me wondering if I really belong as usual lol. But I’m learning to get over myself and allow myself to find my people. Thank you for always being so kind.
That’s a really nice thing to say music. And you’re welcome 🥰
Every motorist is a danger to others. It’s not a question of if you hurt someone, it’s how many and how badly. It’s incredibly selfish.