It's been 15 months now since the UK initially went into lockdown in March 2021 due to Covid-19, and with the outside world feeling beyond my reach mentally and emotionally, today is a pinnacle moment. I managed to go out.
Yes, going out for the first time to a grocery store, I feel as though I have reached the top of a mountain and I couldn't be prouder. I hope I can continue to move forward and feel confident about going out as and when I need to. I’m still not comfortable with going to restaurants or coffee shops to sit outside, but like today, if I need to go out, I think I could do it again.
Taking responsibility
If each of us took responsibility and followed the rules, then more people, who are high risk might feel more comfortable venturing out. Although people are wearing masks in public, their masks are not covering their mouths and noses, they’re either under their chin or covering their mouth, but not their nose.
So, out today in a grocery store, there was someone sat behind a till, his mask didn’t cover his nose, so instead of using him to pay for our groceries, we opted to pay self-service instead. Out in the fresh air the virus dissipates, but with autism and mental health issues, it still carries a concern and that’s not helpful.
You should be as enormously proud of yourself as we are of this massive step. I imagine this was a huge turning point for you.
Keep in mind you can only go at your pace. You're doing great and just do what you are comfortable doing.
Thank you. Yes, it's a huge step for me and I am pleased I was able to do it. It usually happens around the time I struggle and I desperate for some kind of change.
Up until that point, I deal with the usual autism traits, and that stops me from making the changes I need to move forward.