Inertia and Autism. Have you ever felt that you were in a rut, not moving forward? No clear focus? But so much to do? Feeling very down about it sometimes.
I do sometimes, like when dealing with projects, however large or small, including job hunting, planning holidays or planning an event. Too much to think about can lead to inertia for autistic people, or anyone if feeling overwhelmed. Trying to gain focus, reach the end goal, sometimes swamped by emotion. Long job list, all with different constantly changing priorities, requiring different energy levels and time to complete.
It is not easy also for autistic people as we do not always know what we are feeling inside, or how to express them, ask for help, so keep emotions to themselves.
It can feel like it is a dark place to be. No way out. A place of great despair for some. But there are ways through. There is the phrase ‘No man is an island’. There is help out there.
Mostly from my experience I have identified 4 areas which affect inertial management, possibly with some elements of overlap. And I have identified ways to cope with it.
Emotions
Emotions are central to our lives, suppressed or expressed. However if they are not addressed appropriately they can affect our abilities to function and do necessary tasks. Don’t keep them bottled up.
1. Accept them – it’s OK not to feel OK. It’s OK also not to succeed all the time. Don’t beat yourself up.
2. Deal with them – or at least start to, phone a trusted friend, say how you feel or express them through writing or drawing, or any other way.
Consider these approaches and you can come to accept them, stop fighting them, and get to a place to move on. I am not saying this will be easy journey, without setbacks. There are friends who will be willing to help you, wherever you are on a journey.
Wellbeing
This is physical and mental wellbeing, affected by emotions. Have you ever felt too tired or stressed to focus, overwhelmed?
1. Mental – Meditation, deep breathing, relaxing music. Find internal rest, relaxation, focus.
2. Physical – Rest – sleep, eat, downtime with hobbies. Also essential exercise, movement breaks, walk.
If you can’t look after yourself you can’t look after others, but by reaching some stabilisation, physically and mentally, the next stage may help. Celebrate all successes and how you feel. You are not the only person who has gone through this.
Energy Management
Have you ever felt unable to get out and about, exercise, essential jobs, thinking? Try the spoon theory, all actions, physical or mental required energy elements called spoons. Break down large jobs into smaller, more manageable chunks.
1. Prioritise work – urgency at that time. This may change. Possibly have a star system to clearly demonstrate priorities.
2. Focus on jobs – based on energy available and time available. A rating system for required energy levels may also help.
By controlling energy levels, recognising that targets, however small have been achieved will show that progress has been made whilst still managing energy available, not draining batteries, even to becoming exhausted.
Progress
This can be hard to see. Breaking down large jobs into smaller elements, that can be tracked, can also help, as referred to in ‘Energy Management’.
1. Progress chart – create a visible tracker of the smaller elements, use a system to show tasks completed and any issues, however small or large
2. Training – seek further training, or mentoring as required to help add or build up on existing skills
By seeing clear progress, baby steps or large steps, progress can be seen, celebrated, and the feeling that nothing is being achieved, causing inertia, reduced.
Final Message
Life can be overwhelming, so much to do, so little time, how to balance everything whilst taking care of your mental and physical needs. Thus a feeling of inertia, achieving nothing felt. And don’t feel that you are the only person going through this, or has ever gone through this, will go through this.
Just by taking life by small step helps, celebrating any progress, accepting help and support from others will help deal with inertia. Take time to do tasks, when to rest and recharge. Any step forward is good. There is a way through.
Jo Farmer is a Featured Columnist for The Maverick Paradox Magazine. You can read all her articles by clicking below
