Hi Everyone,

I recently joined this SANE forum and starting to find my way around.

I'm xp, and was diagnosed with ASD in my 50s a couple of years ago. I quit by job prior to focus on my mental health, since work took up all my time, prevented me getting help and led to severe depression. I have a long way to go, but I have less excuses now to avoid seeking help.

I've tried some interests over the years outside of work such as horse riding, composing music and creative writing. I have largely given these up since quitting work due to finding the interests expensive and really just a way to help me interact with people (e.g. horse riding), or finding the activities isolating and stressful rather than relaxing and interactive (e.g. music and writing, in part due to my perfectionism). I've worked in the one life-consuming job for decades, so I haven't had many experiences to draw from and, now, not the money to try new things.

I am hoping to learn from others about their experiences, and in doing so learn more about myself and potential paths forward. I will post separately on specific areas. For now, I wanted to say hello and introduce myself and a bit of my background.

Kind regards, xp