tukuhnikivats

[tukuhnikivats]

Have a migraine and tried everything to fall asleep last night. Calm and Balance apps actually gave me anxiety. I have auditory processing disorder, so listening is already stressful. And the talking was inconsistent. When there were long periods of silence, I got stressed thinking my phone got bumped and the recording had stopped playing. The only thing that helped was @finchcare soundscapes. But the rain one made me feel like I had to pee so had to get up and start all over trying to relax. #auditoryprocessingdisorder #insomnia #sleep #sleepapp #migraine #anxiety #sleepanxiety #autistic #autisticadults #autism https://www.instagram.com/p/CpycktFMsBq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Poe was very suspicious of the dog murals at the dog park. #borgi #borgisofinstagram #bordercolliemix #corgimix #dogpark #doggo #dogs #dogsofinstagram (at Biggest Little Dog Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpddu1RPgqz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Being a hardcore introvert, I am not on social media every day. Especially as I'm managing chronic illness and severe burnout while working full time and taking care of my fur babies. My fur babies are rescues, many of whom have serious health issues. Two have terminal cancer. I advocate as I can for animals and for autistics like myself. For me, awareness of an issue is a first step. The ultimate goal is inclusion. That means understanding, accepting, and including autistics. Acceptance alone is not enough. #autisticadults #autistic #introvert #autisticmemes #autism #autismacceptance #inclusion #autisticinclusion #autismawareness #autismunderstanding #autisticintrovert https://www.instagram.com/p/CpQyyG6Pp-u/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Being a hardcore introvert, I am not on social media every day. Especially as I'm managing chronic illness and severe burnout while working full time and taking care of my fur babies. My fur babies are rescues, many of whom have serious health issues. Two have terminal cancer. I advocate as I can for animals and for autistics like myself. For me, awareness of an issue is a first step. The ultimate goal is inclusion. That means understanding, accepting, and including autistics. Acceptance alone is not enough. #autisticadults #autistic #introvert #autisticmemes #autism #autismacceptance #inclusion #autisticinclusion #autismawareness #autismunderstanding #autisticintrovert https://www.instagram.com/p/CpQyxdMPhYI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

My eyes are so red that I look like I've spent a weekend hanging out with Willie Nelson. I am allergic to Marijuana so please know I'm not a pothead. My immune system just thinks my eyeballs are the enemy for some reason. #autoimmune #uveitis #scleritis #glaucoma #sjogrens #sjogrenssyndrome #spongebob #spongebobmemes #eyes #redeyes #bloodshot #bloodshoteyes #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #allergies #dryeyes #dryeye https://www.instagram.com/p/CodZ_XqrTDd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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#lostcat #orangecat #catsofinstagram #springcreek #springcreeknv #elko #elkonv #elkocounty https://www.instagram.com/p/CoWkkCJO7v1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Happy Imbolc/Brigid's day! It is now an official holiday in Ireland. It's the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It's celebrated with candles or bonfires to welcome the return of the sun. Brigid was a real person and patron Saint of Ireland. #imbolc #Brigid #stbrigid #ireland #gaelic #celtic #Irish #pagan #blessedbe https://www.instagram.com/p/CoIcCYfO168/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

The steroids and antibiotics really wiped me out this past week. But the litter boxes finally got deep cleaned today. It required several breaks, lots of fluids, and lots of popsicles. #wiped out #exhausted #kittylitter #litterbox #sotired https://www.instagram.com/p/CnszhhtN2_w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Sometimes I'm hypersensitive to things. Sometimes I don't notice until it reaches an 8 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10. I didn't realize I had an ear infection with a very swollen lymph node in my neck until today. I noticed a weird sensation in my neck Saturday but didn't process it. Last night I was having trouble swallowing and was panicking. Today @aspenquickcare helped me out with a diagnosis and immediate antibiotic and steroid injections. I've been extra tired, irritable, frustrated, and anxious all week and now I know [email protected]._s has been extra patient and caring and is an excellent chauffeur. Graphic by @ican_rethinkautism #autistic #autisticlife #autisticadults #interoception #autismawareness #autismacceptance https://www.instagram.com/p/CnYVdSQthSo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

As I'm learning more about how to manage being autistic, there are some who perceive my mental health to be worsening. That is not the case. I'm actually doing much better. My self-loathing has been replaced with compassion. I no longer have any thoughts about wishing to be in another phase of existence (not allowed to say the "s" word). I believe some think I'm worse because I'm not hiding my stress by "masking" or camouflaging anymore. I'm not hiding my struggles. I'm not pushing myself to the breaking point. I'm talking about frustrations. I'm asking for more help and support. I'm setting firm boundaries. Hiding your pain and putting on a brave face makes others feel better, but it makes the person suffering feel worse. As a society, we should try to be open and reduce the stigma to allow people to get support and heal. I get overwhelmed more easily right now because of burnout and processing a lot of "big" feelings about having to say goodbye to Poe soon. I can't take on as much. Can't socialize as much. I need more rest. I can't handle phone calls very well, which I know hurts family members. @d.j._s has been my rock and more supportive and understanding than he needs to be. Despite how busy he is, he has stepped up so much to help with chores and tending to our fur babies. I'm so grateful to have him in my life. Graphic by @embrace.autism #autismawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #disabilityawareness #masking #autistic #autisticmasking #bestboyfriendever #grateful #burnout https://www.instagram.com/p/CnU8aCwPIhg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Poe loved the fresh snow today. The tumor is getting larger unfortunately but is so far not affecting her mobility. #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogs #borgisofinstagram #borgi #bordercolliemix #corgimix #dogcancer #softtissuesarcoma https://www.instagram.com/p/CnQeP1HLpyL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Another great book by @kathyhoopmann #bird #birds #birdsofinstagram #anxiety https://www.instagram.com/p/Cms2wNpOFII/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Airing of grievances: inflation is like 8% but kitty litter increased by 50%! Hardly any restaurant has sparkling water or club soda. Diet coke is disgusting but I love it. Apparently it's just as addictive as cocaine. Thus the name. I don't think it could be more addictive even if they added cocaine. It has more caffeine than regular coke. The net carb labeling is a marketing ploy. The carbs still count. You have to count the fiber unless it has over 5 grams and you can only subtract half (not all) of the sugar alcohol carbs because your body still metabolizes some of the sugar surrounded by the sugar alcohols. #festivus #festivusfortherestofus #festivusairingofgrievances #inflation #dietcoke #dietcokeaddict #countingcarbs #carbs #netcarbs #falseadvertising https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhyJNMvV_C/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

#solstice #wintersolstice https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmce0-xywG3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

That time when I put my mountain lion hat on a cut out of #p22 #mountainlion #cougar #puma https://www.instagram.com/p/CmSphiHrA3S/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

It's hard for me to go out in public. More so lately because I'm in a worsening autistic burnout. This means I'm more sensitive to things like light, sound, people, etc. I'm not wearing a hat and pink glasses to be cool or disguise myself. Light is painful to my eyes. Not just because of autism. I also have glaucoma and since September have been dealing with an autoimmune condition causing iritis and episcleritis. If you happen to see me I'd appreciate it if you could please not comment on my red eyes or my hat and sunglasses. The sunglasses are pink because they're an FL-41 tint to help with migraines. I hate pink but they work. #autistic #autisticlife #iritis #uveitis #episcleritis #glaucoma #glaucomaawareness #autoimmunedisease #autoimmune #photophobia #autism #autismawareness #migraine #fl41glasses https://www.instagram.com/p/CmNscmKrrH-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tukuhnikivats]

Received such a beautiful, thoughtful gift from Lizzy and Christian tonight! I will cherish it forever 💜💜💜 #bestgiftever #dogsofinstagram #dogs https://www.instagram.com/p/CmLiXQlOEam/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=