Small spaces and autism

Hey readers,

When it comes to small spaces and my autism in some instances I like to be in small spaces. Other times small spaces make me feel really claustrophobic making me feel like I  want to run away and be free. 

Therefore in this post, I'm going to split up for reasons why I like small spaces and reasons why I don't small spaces. 

So why do I love small spaces as an autistic person? 

I think one of the reasons I like small spaces, in particular, is when I'm having a meltdown I feel like I need to curl up in a fetal position. I want to hide away in a small space where no one can get me that is dark and secure and safe.

 I identify my bedroom as my safe place and that is where I go to escape the emotional situation that can cause me to a breakdown of sorts. 

when I am in a small space I find that there are fewer stimuli for me to concentrate on. Therefore it calms me down a lot more quickly than when I am in a very stimulating environment where there is a lot going on. The type of stimuli that affects me is noise from the TV, bright lights, someone touching me. So, shutting out that noise helps calm me down and dispenses the meltdown. 

When I go into a small space it helps me to stop the overthinking and fast thoughts that occur in my mind. Small spaces give me a chance to reduce my feelings of being overwhelmed and trying to process this information when I'm deeply anxious. 

when I am in a small space it's normally deep within a quilt on a quilt on a quilt so that I am warm and secure in my small space. The small space and being closed in helps me feel safe again.  

Looking back and evaluating how I respond to small spaces I think one of the reasons that I see small spaces at times positive for me because they are comforting when I'm distress or when I'm anxious. Going to a safe and small space gives me that time to hideaway. 

Reasons why I do not like small spaces? 

I guess like most things the way I think about things is black or white and this the small spaces. Sometimes I deeply enjoy them and other times I detest them, there is no in-between for me. 

I don't like small spaces when I am in a busy place or I am not coping well with my anxiety. I feel trapped and find it hard to think of solutions, therefore, have felt that this is going to be forever. 

I need to feel in control and when I am not it causes upsets and meltdowns. Another time I don't like small spaces is at bus stops waiting for the bus. 

I feel really paranoid when there are others provided the space. I have been knowing to stand in the pouring rain because I don't like the entrapment. 

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday photo 21/04/2019

75 Simple pleasures that give you complete satisfaction

Hey readers,

Today I am writing a list of all things simple pleasures. I have come up with 75 of my favourite simple things that happen in my life that I very much enjoy. 

1. Blowing bubbles with kids.

2. Hearing your favorite song come on and singing your heart out.

3. Cracking the yolk of a boiled egg.

4. A morning stretch.

5. Getting into bed with the heated blanket.

6. Being lazy on a Sunday. 

7. The smell of fresh cut grass.

8. When you do a deep clean and the room is tidy.

9. Getting to the bottom of the washing pile.

10. Having hot tea after hours of not having one.

11. Freshly baked bread.

12. Helping someone in need.

13. Making someone laugh. 

14. A crossed of to-do-list.

15. Making someone smile.

16. Laughing till your belly hurts.

17. Lying in bed listening to the rain.

18. Having a picnic.

19. Finding money.

20. Kindness from a stranger.

21. Walking barefoot through the sea.

22. Clean sheets.

23. Planting a seed.

24. Hearing a cat purr.

25. Dancing with no care in the world.

26. A warm drink on a cold day.

27. At night closing the curtains and hiding the world away.

28. Taking a cat nap.

29. Snuggling under the quilt.

30. A long hot bath.

31. When a website loads really fast.  

32. Making shapes out of clouds. 

33. Finding a relaxing place to sit. 

34. When you hike and reach the top of the hill.

35. Sitting down in a coffee shop and watching the world go by.

36. Going to sleep when you're exhausted.

37. When I accomplish something that someone told me I could not do. 

38. Sunsets.

39. Peeling an orange in one go.

40. Having a wee after a long time. 

41. Having freshly cleaned laundry.

42. The smell of a new book.

43. Using a new notebook for the first time.

44. Wrapping in a blanket straight after it has been in the dryer.

45. Seeing a squirrel bounching about.

46. Being outside.

47. The smell of rain. 

48. The first minute of a hot shower.

49. Changing into my pajarmas after a long day. 

50. Drawing a perfect circle with a compass. 

51. When you find a yellow sticker.

52. Reading a good book.

53. Having a lie in.

54. Discovering a new song that you love.

55. Sitting near the sea eating fish and chips. 

56. Eating strawberries and cream in the summer.

57. Fairy lights twinkling at night. 

58. New socks.

59. Watching children giggle and play. 

60. The smell of a burning candle.

61. Falling asleep in a sunbeam.

62. Being the first person to open the coffee jar.

63. The smell of coffee is emerge.

64. Watching a lightning storm. 

65. Waking up in a warm bed feeling all fuzzy.

66. When it is a cold and dreary day.

67. Taking your bra off after a long day. 

68. Silence. 

69. Thunderstorms at night. 

70. Waking up without an alarm clock. 

71. Tasty food. 

72. A cold drink when you have walked for ages. 

73. Peeling the plastic off a new phone cover.

74. Freshly shaven legs.  

75. Sitting in the park in the summer and the sun is shining. 

What simple pleasures do you enjoy? Love to hear your comments below. 

Cheers for reading X 

Why I love lists

Hey readers,

If you didn't know I love a list, every day I write one for general and also if you are a regular reader we will know that I am fond of the old listicle post. Let me tell you why I love lists so much. 

1. Clear cut. 

I am a black and white thinker as I have autism so therefore it is something I find comforting. I find lists are clear cut and I know exactly what I want to do and how to get it done. 

2. Organise thoughts. 

I have lots of thoughts buzzing round in my head and find that lists are an excellent way to organise my thoughts. 

3. Visual.

The lists I do are handwritten on a pad and they are visual than for me to look at. I can see them and I can look back on the list to know where I am going. 

3. They feel less taxing on the brain. 

I feel much calmer when I write my lists out as they get all my thoughts out, things I need to do and physically writing down the things I need to shuts out the noise in my mind.

4. Rewarding. 

One of the greatest feelings in the world is to tick off the items on your list because you can visually see that you have done the task you aimed for and it feels rewarding and like you achieved something, it doesn't matter how small the task you still have that buzz. 

5. Control.

I will admit I am a control freak and like to know exactly what is happening. When I write out lists I feel more comfortable with my day as I am in control and know what I am doing. I like structure and lists fit with my personality. 

6. Plan.

Lists allow me to plan my day so I know exactly what I am doing and I can focus on achieving the goals. Which, in turn, makes me feel much happier in life. 

7. Time.

Lists save time because you can write down your tasks and then you can work from there meaning you are focused on the tasks. In comparison, if I don't do lists, I feel confused and not sure what to do. 

8. Goal achievement.  

Lists can be overwhelming depending on how much information you put on the list. That is why it is important, well for me anyway to not feel overwhelmed breaking down the lists into chunks. What I can do next is split the list down into smaller chunks so it is not so overwhelming. 

Lists are a great way to see goals you have yet been done and completed whilst ticking them off the list is satisfactory in its self. 

Do you like lists are you laid back and just go with the flow? Love to hear your comments below. 

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday Photo 14/04/2019

New

Hey reader,

This weeks word of the week is:

because I have treated myself after saving up for a couple of months to a NOW TV stick and is the Best. Thing. Ever!

We also went to Mcdonalds this week and I won a  free 6 month NOW TV kids pass. So, the kids have been fully enjoying checking out new cartoons. I be honest with you it is a breath of fresh air watching something new instead of watching the same old same old.

In other news, I have been to both my son's parents evening and they've been doing really well and making progress, which is really good.

I am also really thankful that the sun has decided to come back again. This makes a pleasant change to not feel cold and to get rid of the coat for a bit because I bloody hate wearing a coat but sometimes it's necessary really, isn't it?!

I hope you've had a good week. 

Cheers for reading X

My top 10 money saving tips.

Hey readers, 

Who doesn't love to save a bit of cash when? you can with my top money saving tips.

1. Supermarket closing. 

Check out your supermarket before closing time. Grab them yellow stickers, don't worry they won't hurt you. You can freeze them, did you know you can freeze bread and milk, amazing how much you save by just doing that.

2. Online coupons.

Before buying anything that you need to check online for coupons and discounts. simply just type in the item and see where the cheapest price is if you say you want a specific TV you can save a couple hundred if you look around carefully. don't just go someone, it is always important to do your research beforehand.

3.  My supermarket app. 

Download my supermarket app it is amazing to compare food from leading supermarkets and see where the cheapest price is to get that item. 

4. Hotdeals Uk.

Another great app is Hot Deals UK. On the app, you can see each product and the different prices from the major retailers on one page You can also get notifications when new deals come in.

5. Electricity. 

To save money on your electricity bill one easy way is to simply turn off your tv from the socket to save money. Why have the TV  on when you are not using it? You will be amazed at just doing that one trick will save you money.

6. Travel Mugs.

Invest in a travel mug so you can take your own hot drink when you are going out, saves so much instead of going to Starbucks. There are some really cool designs in travel mugs and you are not wasting it on cups so helping the environment too win-win. 

7. Cash. 

If you do plan to go to supermarket or shop then take a set amount of hard cash and leave your money card at home, therefore you are forced to budget and not be tempted to impulsive buy items that you may not need. 

8. No Spend.

 Make it a habit to have one day a week where you do not spend anything, you will be amazed at how easy it is to once you start doing it. I have also found that I am more likely to do productivity things that I need to do that I normally put off as I have that free time to use up.

9. Emails.  

 How many emails have you got that you receive from companies trying to entice you to spend? They like to remind you of what they have to try to seduce you. Don't fall for it and unsubscribe then there less junk and you can get on with saving.

10. Packed lunch.

Instead of eating out or buying lunch at work invest the time to make your own lunch, plus it is much healthier for your instead of eating high fat processed food. 

What is your favourite money saving tip, I would love to hear in the comments?

Cheers for reading X