Last Day of FAWM

 As February draws to a close, I find myself looking back on the past month with a mix of exhaustion and pride. For those who don't know, February is also known as FAWM, or February Album Writing Month. The goal is to write 14 songs in 28 days, and I'm happy to say that I made it, just barely.

It was a wild ride, to say the least. There were days when I had no inspiration, and others when I was bursting with ideas. I wrote about love, loss, hope, and everything in between. Some of the songs flowed easily, while others felt like pulling teeth. But through it all, I kept going, determined to reach the end.

Now that FAWM is over, I'm looking forward to the next step: recording an album. I've decided to call it "672 Hours," after the number of hours in February. It's a fitting title, considering how much time and effort went into creating these songs.

But as proud as I am of my accomplishment, I can't help but reflect on the bigger picture. As someone on the autism spectrum, I know all too well the challenges that come with pursuing creative endeavors. Sensory issues, executive dysfunction, and difficulty with social interaction can all make it harder to stay focused and motivated.

But despite these obstacles, I refused to give up. I found ways to work around my difficulties, whether it was taking breaks when I needed them, using noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions, or asking friends for feedback and support.

And in the end, it was all worth it. The feeling of accomplishment I get from completing a project like this is indescribable. It reminds me that, despite the challenges, I'm capable of achieving great things.

So here's to all the other FAWMers out there who made it to the end, and to anyone else who's pursuing a creative passion. Keep going, even when it feels like you can't. The end result is always worth it.

Autistic Stimming essay

 Stimming is something that's very personal to me as someone with autism. It's the little movements that I make that help me feel calm and focused. Things like rocking back and forth, tapping my fingers, or making odd little noises. These little motions can make such a big difference in how I feel.

For a long time, I didn't know what stimming was or that it was a common trait among autistic people. I just thought that I was weird or that something was wrong with me. So, I tried to suppress my stimming behavior, thinking it would make me more "normal". But the truth is, suppressing my stimming was really harmful to my mental health. It was like trying to hold back a sneeze, and it only made me feel more anxious and overwhelmed.

It wasn't until I learned more about autism and stimming that I realized how important it is to accept this behavior. Stimming is a natural part of who I am, and it's something that helps me regulate my emotions and sensory input. It's a coping mechanism that helps me feel safe and in control.

It's not always easy, though. Sometimes people can be judgemental or misunderstand my stimming behavior. They might think I'm being weird or rude, when really I'm just trying to stay calm and focused. That's why it's so important to educate others about stimming and autism. When people understand why I stim, they're usually more accepting and supportive.

It's been a long journey, but I'm learning to accept and even appreciate my stimming behavior. It's a reminder that I'm different, but that's okay. In fact, it's something to celebrate. Stimming is a part of my identity as an autistic person, and it's just one of the many things that makes me who I am.