Throughout my life, and being raised by helicopter parents it began to dawn on me, that my decisions weren't mine and I'd been living on autopilot for far too long. My choices weren't my choices, they were my parents' choices.
The CP Diary
At the point of a cerebral palsy diagnosis in my forties, starting The CP Diary was me making a conscious decision to take back control. Everything in my life was micromanaged. It wasn't going to be easy, but I was ready to face the challenges head-on and take responsibility for doing something for me. I was tired of feeling like I was just going through the motions for others, without any sense of purpose or direction.
But taking control meant setting intentions and goals and working towards them. It meant saying no to things that didn't align with my values and yes to opportunities that challenged me. It meant being kind to myself and practicing self-care, even when I wasn't feeling it.
My Writing Journey
Through my writing journey, progress requires stepping outside my comfort zone. It's about embracing opportunities for growth and using them to improve myself. For anyone trying to get into writing, choose to surround yourself with people who believe in you and who offer constructive feedback. Throughout my writing journey, and through my blog I have chosen to focus on building a supportive community that fuels my passion for writing. Writing is something I enjoy, finally it's something I'm good at.
Taking control
For me taking control of my life also means being intentional with my time and energy. With autism it's not easy, but it means prioritising what's truly important to me and letting go of the rest. It means being present in the moment, rather than getting caught up in worries and about the past. It's a work-in-progress.
I'm taking control of my life because I deserve it; and because it's well overdue. I deserve to live a life that is authentic and meaningful. I’ve had an extremely difficult life, I deserve to be healthy. It’s something I continue to work on every day.
Dedicated to all 'helicopter-parented' children and adults.
