Trying New Things and Coping With Change

Ok, guys. I've officially recovered from the Independence Day weekend. It was a fun weekend and I got to see loads of fireworks! I was with family out of town and I've been back since Sunday. Toledo's Red, White, KaBOOM! firework show was so massive, it felt like we were driving in fog at around 1:30, 2:00 in the morning Sunday! It must've been a great show.
Anyway, I wanted to give you guys the blog I promised you I'd give you last Friday, but as I said, I was with family out of town for four days. I wanted to talk to you about two topics that everybody struggles with, but Autistic people seem to struggle with a bit worse (I'm a nineteen year old with Autism, so I've got a glimpse of how regular people and Autistic people deal with these issues). Those issues are trying new things and coping with change.
First, I want to talk about trying new things. I've tried numerous different things, like activities and FOOD, my whole life. I've always seemed to struggles with trying things that are new. For example, when I was in eighth grade, I went to Camp Marengo. One stormy night, they had chicken with sausage gravy. I had to take the plate because I do not like peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was hungry, and I had to eat. I ended up eating, and I discovered it didn't taste that bad. I've tried different foods my whole life. Some were good, most were bad. As an Autistic person, it's hard to open myself to trying new things because of the fear of failure. I've got a more recent example, and by recent, I mean the past week. I've been watching YouTube baking videos from Rosanna Pansino, KawaiiSweetWorld, and Cupcakes Cookies and Cardio. They inspired me to take up baking as a personal hobby. Before I watched their videos, I did NOT wanted anything to do with it, because if I didn't like it, I ain't making it. So, I tried it. I baked for a week. I have to say, it was actually fun. I actually enjoyed it! I just had to let go of the fear and negativity that was holding me back.
The same fear and negativity concept applies to the "c" word, change. Change is not my friend. Autistic people seem to do things every day like a routine. Some days, their routine is different than the rest of the days. They adapt in this routine that if one little thing changes, let's say last minute trips to the store, or a last minute visit to a family member's house, it screws the routine up, and the Autistic person doesn't know what to do and their mind is all over the place. It gets to a point where they freak out (again, I'm Autistic, and I've been there on a huge number of occassions) and they are confused, upset, and scared. The routine is like clockwork for them, and one little change, they get upset. This is because change is new. Autistic people are more comfortable with the old than the new. Change can be scary, but my mom had to help me step out of my comfort zone, and she had to help me embrace the changes going on around me. Change happens, you cannot stop it. But you can try to help the Autistic person you know embrace change as a good thing. Inform them on all the positives, NOT the negatives. I know, you're probably wondering why I just said that. That's because if you do tell them about the negatives before hand, that will make them feel more upset and more afraid than before. I had to embrace the change of going to college, and I'm trying to embrace the big changes in my life as I turn 20 August 10th, trying to get the book published and out by late summer, mid to late fall, my second job as an advocate for Autism, weddings, parties, more nieces and/or nephews in the future, getting NEW glasses after FIVE YEARS tomorrow. I don't adjust well to change, but as Eric Idle said: always look on the bright side of life (da da, da dum, da dum, da dum), always look on the bri...just had myself a little sing along going on there. There's always a good thing that can occur during change. Just look on the good side of things, and let that negativity and fear go. You'll be alright, I promise.
That's what I wanted to talk about today. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it.