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People Accommodated My Autism and Sensitivity More Than I Realized
Shift your focus to create more of what you want in your highly sensitive life
Have you often felt misunderstood? As a high-masking autistic trans woman (also: an HSP!), this feeling has been a continual companion in my life. Over time, the reasons for and instances of misunderstanding seem to pile up, creating a heavy weight that’s hard to shake.
A meditation teacher I follow has said that we can get addicted to familiar emotions. That idea struck a chord. In a society built for allistic (non-autistic) people who aren’t as sensitive, the challenges of being misunderstood are very real. But I remembered something recently: I also play a part in perpetuating this cycle. By dwelling on how I’ve been misunderstood, I’ve neglected to nurture and celebrate the moments when people have succeeded at understanding and supporting me.
This morning, I decided to flip the script. Instead of focusing on times I’ve felt unseen or unsupported, I asked myself:
How have people accommodated me?
Some of the answers surprised me. Here are a few examples that emerged:
- Supportive family dynamics: My parents were introverts and sensitive—just not to my extent—so I felt…
