If you're neurodivergent, taking a break literally requires planning.
This is because we often don't give notice to how much work we actually do in a day, because what constitutes as "work" for us is not "work" for others.
It requires me work to:
walk the dog
make a meal
shower
write a tumblr post
So of course taking breaks is going to require some work, too.
Here's how I've learned to plan for my breaks:
I give worry a time & place; this allows me to say, "now's not the time to worry" once I'm on break.
I accept all work as work (mentioned above)
I focus on doing the top 3 tasks in a day, not all of it; this combats the feeling that I need to do something to "deserve a break" (total bs, btw)
I listen to my body; it's not up to me to decide when it's "time" for a break
I have fun projects within my hobbies; this gives me a focus for my breaks, so I'm not spending time deciding what to do during my breaks
I know it seems convoluted now, but I promise you, this kind of forward planning for my breaks has allowed me to actually rest when it's time to rest.
I can finally rest on a daily and weekly basis without constantly solving problems in my head, ruminating on past conversations, or worrying about the future, because I gave worry a time & place.
I can accept that I do deserve a break every single day no matter what I actually accomplished, because I accepted everything as work, focused on my top 3, and listened to my body when it said it's time.
I can look forward to what I spend my breaks on, because I took the time to plan fun projects with other people, which holds me accountable to doing those things with my friends.
It took me a long time to get here, but I hope this post speeds up your process—even if just a little bit.
You're gonna have sensory and processing issues. You're gonna be over / understimuated. You're going to have meltdowns and shutdowns. You're gonna need breaks. You're gonna deal with autistic burnout. You're gonna have verbal loss / shutdowns. And that's okay. And if you don't deal with all, or some of all of these, that's okay too. Autism is a spectrum after all.
Hello 👋🏾, so recently I got a new job and I’m definitely starting to stick to a stricter budget, while working on myself. Truth is since it my first solo date, what do you think a great for solo date is. Also, I love your content 🫶🏾🫶🏾🩵
INEXPENSIVE SOLO DATE IDEAS
Going to a local cafe or restaurant with a nice view, or a bustling atmosphere.
Have your mini picnic at your local park. Cook all of your favourite foods, or just go to your local takeout.
Go outside with headphones or a book with a cold/hot drink, and watch the sunrise or sunset
Go to your local pharmacy, and purchase a bunch of sheet masks, bath salts or fizzers and anything else you like. Then have your own spa day from head to toe. Wash your hair then wrap it around in a cute turban, do a rejuvenating face mask, paint your nails & toenails and more. Bonus points if you blast music while doing this.
Make a pillow fort with what you have, then just cozy up while reading, meditating, listening to a podcast, or just doomscrolling.
Do a paint and dip/sip at home. Put on some relaxing music, get your favourite (non) alcoholic drink or set aside some chips and dips then paint whatever you feel like.
Pretend you are your own partner/best friend, and do something that matches what activity your current/future partner or best friend would do.
Go to the library just to chill. You don’t have to do any work, but just sit in that atmosphere. You can read a book, study on your favourite topic or just bring your macbook to do some olineshopping.
Make your own breakfast in bed. Make a nice, hearty and filling breakfast to put on a tray then bring it back to your bed to eat.
Buy flowers for yourself and put it on display. OR you can buy some seeds, plant some as a reminder of self love and actually take care of it like how you want to take care of yourself.
Imagine anything on your bucket list that you’ve always wanted to do with someone else, then just do it solo.
A gentle reminder to drink some water and step back from your phone. It makes a huge difference. The internet may feel big and scary, but just know you can walk away. 🤍
Sorry just a mini rant bc genuinely appalled at the way some of my coworkers talk about not eating during work. Like buddy we're working CRM. It is a very labour intensive job. It's July and frequently over 30°C. The way you talk about not eating anything til dinner (and sometimes not anything beyond a granola bar all day) is terrifying. Obviously money for food can be tight (I'm feeling it rn) but I've spoken with some of them and they have and can afford food and they almost seem to be bragging about making it through the day on nothing. You are going to collapse! You should be eating!
So yeah my coworkers may not listen to me but to any fellow archaeologists please remember to eat! Even if you're staying hydrated that won't be enough if you're also not eating properly for days. Please take care of yourself in the field.
Everyone should be taking breaks to eat, hydrate, reapply sunscreen, and stretch. Yes, even if you don't feel like you need to. Yes, even if other people are "working through it." Toughing it out is not a badge of honor. It is dangerous, and unnecessarily so.
Just because you can go without doesn't mean you should. Your body is not suddenly the exception to the biological necessities of eating and drinking. Keeping your body nourished is part of long term care for your health. No work is worth shortchanging that.
This applies to all work, not just archaeological excavation. If you're reading this and thinking I totally support this for everyone else, not for me though THIS IS FOR YOU. Taking breaks sets a precedent. Because even if you don't need the break, someone else does, and if you take yours, you're contributing to a work environment where that person can take theirs. There's a reason unions have fought for breaks in pretty much every industry.
This remix is such a gift to all of you. Thank you for your support and lovely comments. I hope that 2024 will be a happy and successful year for you all.