Just a few notes about being an adult.
When I was a kid I was teased about my odd interests, about the foods I disliked, or the clothes I preferred to wear, about a lot of things. When I grew up, for a while I tried to hide that side of me. I tried to fit in with other adults, I wore a suit, tried to eat the popular foods and watch the things my peers did. Then one day I realized something: I AM an adult, a grown-up. I can do whatever the f- I want to. If other people donāt like it or think itās childish thatās a them problem. I like and watch cartoons and anime. If someone doesnāt like it thatās too bad. I donāt like violent or scary movies or shows. I donāt care if āeveryoneā is seeing something. If I donāt think Iāll like it I donāt go. I can do that, Iām an adult. I also talk āoddlyā with a lot of complex words. Itās the result of the stutter I struggled with as a kid. I developed a huge vocabulary because if one word didnāt work, I could swap in another. Some people have told me that I should try to talk ānormalā. They said the way I talk makes me sound pretentious. I told them to f-off and then asked of that came across as too pretentious. Conversely, people my age eat stuff like cottage cheese and drink coffee. I donāt, I think those are nasty. So I have peanut butter sandwiches, or pudding, or sometimes mac & cheese if I feel like it and drink sweet tea or Pepsi. Why? Because I like it and Iām an adult and can do what I want.
I understand that some of us have higher support needs and wonāt be able to live on our own. But for those of us who will become independent keep this in mind. Being an adult isnāt like being a kid in school, you donāt have to fit in with the group. You can find your niche find people who get you, find a job that suits you. You can be true to yourself. Is it easy? No, but itās no worse than masking all the time and trying to be someone youāre not. And not having to mask all the time is healthier for you.
















