Autism and Decision Paralysis | Sheepdog Says

[@madge9703]

I have an issue that may be just me being odd. I wonder if you have run into this. When I have made plans to go away, I can’t seem to get started on preparing to go. I have a whole day to get organized, pack my bags, last minute shop…. whatever. But I just fritter away the time getting nothing done and it is 3 am in the morning and I’m still trying to get things together and I have to leave at 9am and I’m not going to get any sleep and I’m totally stressed out. I can do the same thing with getting going in the morning…. I should have a shower, get dressed, make my bed…. And I can’t seem to get going on any of it.

[@SheepdogSays]

I do tend to find that il pack at the 11pm the night before or if I’m setting off later il do it an hour or two before I go. Being overwhelmed by the tasks you’ve got to do is quite common and it’s a break from the normal routine. I burned so much energy last weekend over the thought that my wife was away Mon/Tue and I had to make sure the kids were up and to school on time, fed, etc. But when the time came it was honestly not a big deal. I was exhausted though because I’d just been panicking internally about it. I saw this comic by schnumn yesterday that shows the procrastination it as a cycle that definitely felt right for me! twitter.com/patronhunt/status/1455952976934105091?s=21

[@emilysimmons288]

Glad Oli had a good birthday, Halloween sounds like a brilliant backup plan. I still drive my parents mad at 32 not knowing what I want for my birthday (not helped by it being in December so I have to come up with birthday and Christmas ideas at the same time).

[@SheepdogSays]

Yep I’m the same at 36! My daughters birthday is Jan 1st so she’s also got the struggle of very close together gifts.

[@catherinek9839]

Im awful at making choices, its like me parents ask me what i want for tea and I’m like dunno. I hate any kind of surprises and never know how to react.on my birthday we always have a takeaway but rarely do things for my birthday as theres never anything i want. We do go to a shopping center but no on my actual birthday. I love to know what im getting , I struggle to know what i want but then i add it through the year, its mainly books every year

[@SheepdogSays]

This is pretty much exactly the same with Oli and me haha. I always feel like it’s an opportunity lost but then if there’s nothing I want it’s not that big of a deal. But it definitely consumes my august and December thinking of stuff so other people don’t have to guess.

[@carpetstick]

Honestly I'm quite a lot of the same. When I'm in shops I'll either be extremely impulsive, or I'll worry way too much about what I'm gonna get, or not be able to decide, and end up either feeling incredibly guilty about something I bought (even if I needed/wanted it) or not get anything. For birthdays I also worry about looking happy enough about the presents I get, and the energy spent on that might even be taking away some of the actual joy from the present. I tend to either have a very specific list of things I want, typically something I'm very interested in at that moment, or I'll have no clue whatsoever. So yeah to sum it up, I'm either indecisive as can be, or incredibly impulsive.

[@SheepdogSays]

Makes sense, again I do randomly buy specific things. I think when inspiration strikes I go for it. Sometimes you find something that is just perfect. But if I have to make a choice then it’s game over. Kev always references when I got my Nintendo 3DS and I spent ages comparing the deals in Game trying to get the best deal and changing my mind etc.

[@carpetstick]

@@SheepdogSays Oh boy, DSes are the end of me. I spent months looking at the 2DS, was aaabsolutely hyperfixated on it. Funnily enough because of Kev's vlogs. Recently I got myself a New 3DS XL and that wasn't as big a deal, but still, I feel you.

[@SheepdogSays]

It is a great little console. I love my switch too now. The best console IMO!

[@carpetstick]

@@SheepdogSays The switch is great as well! Got mine this easter, put the usual easter holiday budget into a new switch instead. Animal Crossing New Horizon edition, actually! Definitely been enjoying everything from ACNH to Super Smash Bros and Stardew Valley on that thing. Also destroying my nephew at Mario Kart lol.

[@SheepdogSays]

Sounds awesome. Oli plays ACNH. We’ve got the new Pokémon games coming in a few weeks which is exciting!

[@theac8801]

If Oli isn’t bothered about getting gifts on his birthday don’t worry about it. I think as a parent you are more stressed about it for you rather than for him. It’s understandable but the pressure of making the day perfect might be taking some of the fun away for you because you see what you are doing on the day as super important but he might just want to spend time with you or do something small. Birthdays aren’t all about the gifts. I would let Oli direct the day and let him know the day is his day to do whatever he wants. He may not share the attachment to the day as much as you do. I don’t celebrate my birthday as it stresses me out too much so what my mum does is she has a certain amount of money she will spend on me each year but it does not have to be on my birthday so I get something I want when I want it. She still buys me a small gift which I suppose is for her more than for me and we have a cake because the rest of the family enjoy it. Birthday presents shouldn’t just be for birthday’s if you seen what I mean. It might be sad for you and perhaps your wife because birthdays are more important to some people and I find that kind of flawed because quality time with a person shouldn’t be reserved for one day of celebration only. You might be overthinking it a bit and overwhelming yourself. Do your kids like outdoor stuff? I think tobogganing at Tallington lakes is opening again soon I used to love that as a child, maybe you could check it out if you haven’t already Anyway I hope you had an enjoyable time despite the stresses and I hope you have a good week!

[@SheepdogSays]

Ooh I didn’t know they did that tallington, I’ll look into it! You’re right I am over thinking it and wanting it to be a big thing, I think he does like getting gifts he just had no idea what. He had a happy day, and I think he’ll look at it fondly. He did want a sleep over but we weren’t sure it was a wise idea at the moment heh. One day soon!

[@mattbeardsworth3201]

Presumably, the reason why the said buffet was not an option was Covid rules, supposing once you had been given a bowl and the 1st serving of salad what do you think would have happened if you had gone to the said section and served yourself and refused to be served? Also, do you think Oliver would not have received as many sweets when he trickle tweeted had he not announced it was his birthday? fff

[@SheepdogSays]

Ah it was absolutely due to covid. It just wasn’t as fun haha. Didn’t mean to sound like I didn’t get it. The lady was just off putting. I could’ve gone up again and again if I wanted. I don’t know that he got more sweets announcing his birthday as they went to a lot of houses. But maybe? It’s a clever idea if that’s what he’s doing haha.

[@mattbeardsworth3201]

ttgtretres