A lot of people are simply just sharing their feelings - which isn't a bad thing! - or offering advice, but when a person is trying as hard as they can just to stay level and exist in a society not meant for them, it hurts. I've always been sensitive to criticism, likely because in my life it's mostly come from judgmental people questioning my way of being. I'm so used to people criticizing me for existing that any time someone says they want to talk with me I'm flooded with anxiety and can't function because it automatically makes my brain think they're going to toss me out. I've had enough friends drop me in the past that my brain's default reaction to doing something "bad" is that I'm going to lose a friend, be fired, or something else of that ilk. I end up living in a near-constant state of anxiety, worrying daily that I'm going to ruin everything good in my life by being myself.
I saw a poem by Hollie Holden recently making the rounds on the internet that hit me particularly hard. It's about body positivity, but the final line just keeps popping into my head lately: "Could you just love me like this?"
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| This particular image of the poem was found here. |
That line is exactly how I feel about myself with relation to the rest of the world. That's all I've ever wanted. It's such a simple thing, really, to just be loved as I am. That doesn't mean I'm not working on improving myself, of course, since I'm doing that every day and I'm always working on growing as a person, but I just want, more than anything, to just exist in a world where I'm not subject to criticism for existing. I want my family and friends - and anyone I encounter in life - to know I'm always trying my best no matter what and that I appreciate them for loving me as I am, but that I'm not perfect and I'm going to make mistakes sometimes and to not hold me to a standard that's unrealistic for me (or any human being) to live up to. I actually do feel like as the so-called "responsible friend" that I'm not allowed to make as many mistakes as my other friends are, and it's actually really exhausting to have to be like that all the time. I need to be allowed to fail and be forgiven when I do so and apologize for it. Sometimes, I'm going to mess up, and I need to be allowed to do so in order to grow as a person. I need that room and holding me to an impossible standard where I'm not allowed to fail isn't going to get me there.
Please, could you just love me like this?
<3 I know the feeling. I also am sensitive to criticism because my memory of past rejections makes me assume the worst. So I strive to accept my friends no matter what (even if they have "difficult" personalities or traits according to society), because I know how it feels to be rejected. Just know that I think you're great 100% of the time, even if you make mistakes, even on your worst days (which I probably don't see because I'm guessing you're good at hiding them, like me). I'm not perfect either and slip up, more and more as life becomes increasingly difficult. Just today I had shutdown in a grocery store and reacted outwardly (not common for me), I sat on the floor and stared at a shopping cart wheel until I stopped feeling dizzy. Not my proudest moment (some passerby looked perplexed, thankfully it wasn't busy), but I accept that I was overwhelmed, and it's no one's business to judge how I act.
ReplyDeleteThank you so, so much for this. <3 I have a tendency to bend over backwards for my friends for the same reason - I want them to know that, even as they work on improving themselves, that I love them for the people they are. It's amazing to know you've got friends who have your back no matter what you're struggling with, honestly.
DeleteI've been criticized socially as well, and those comments hurt. Once I was told I take advantage of people's kindness, when in reality I sometimes just forget to say "thank you." And if I go too long without texting/hanging out with certain friends, they act like I'm selfish, when I really am likely just busy or recovering from periods of mental illness. The friends I gravitate towards are the ones who are understanding even when I'm being my messy, unpredictable self... when I talk too much, cry too much, forget things, laugh at nothing, break down for several days over something seemingly minor, then giddily enjoy cake and flowers and telling my friends happy things the next day.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar issue - any social missteps I make just make me feel incredibly guilty and then I spiral into a terrible anxiety attack and think that the person I upset hates me, even if by explaining why they're upset they're saying they want me to know so I can do better next time. Every small mistake feels like the entire world is caving in on me, and I wish I wasn't like that, but my past experiences made it so that it's a very hard habit to break.
DeleteI'm glad I found this site. We Aspis need all the support and acceptance we can give each other cuz it's a colder world for us emotionally than most other people. Your comment about "stay level and exist in a world not meant for them" really resonates with me...with us all.
ReplyDeleteHi, Teri, I'm so glad I was able to help you! <3 I agree that we definitely need to stick together in order to survive this world not meant for us, so I'm always happy to meet fellow autistic folks so we can support each other as much as possible!
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