Interacting with Other Humans is Hard! Here’s Why I Do It Anyway.
In case I haven’t mentioned this several times before on this blog, I am on the autism spectrum. I’ve been diagnosed with it since I was three years old, and it’s still gonna affect me until the day I die. One of my favorite things to do, however, is go out and look at stuff with my grandmother. We usually this about once every week or two, and that means talking to other people, mostly strangers.
Here’s the thing, though, about autism- it makes it really hard for me to socialize with other people. That’s a pretty big symptom of autism- having difficulty socializing with others. Every time I go out with my grandmother, I usually get really tired and have to distract myself with something stupid on the internet. That’s what we autistic people like to call “masking”.
So, you’re probably wondering why, with my autism and everything, I would even like going out to various places among other strangers, even if I am with my grandmother. Surely, I would hate people, right? Talking to them, staring them in the eyes, trying to comprehend what they’re saying- it’s all a royal pain, isn’t it? Why would I enjoy doing that?!
Here’s the thing- even though I’ve stated that humans are the stupidest species on Earth, they’re also the most interesting. No other species on this planet can have so many complex thoughts like a human can. Sure, some can emotions and even some other complexities, but humans are the only species who can have so many complex thoughts inside their heads at the same time. How interesting is that?
And when I see all the interesting things (like clothes, books, toys, and other stuff) at various stores, I’m reminded of all the complexities one single person can have. One single person! Imagine the complexities several other people have! That’s a lot of complexity! Those things that are completely different from each other in the same stores are there to remind me that there are all kinds of people living in the same world together. If there was only one type of person living on this planet, the world would be boring.
When I look at all those vastly different things, I get ideas for writing. I’ve already written two short stories on here before, but seeing all those things in all these different stores give me ideas for various stories with vastly different characters. Like I said before, if there was only one type of person living on this planet, the world would be boring. Why would anyone want to live in a boring world? That’s painful.
It’s fun seeing different types of people, knowing they exist just like I do. It’s fun wondering what their lives are like, and I often wonder if they wonder what others’ lives are like, too. It’s fascinating to see how all these different types of people live together, somewhat in harmony, and not even know it. Sure, it’s hard for me to talk to people and carry on a conversation, but it’s all worth it in the end. It’s worth living in a complex, fascinating world with other complex, fascinating beings. That’s why I continue to interact with other people despite my autism.
Plus, every time my grandmother and I go out (well, almost every time), we end our time together by getting some food, and that’s my favorite part of going out with her.
