Do you adjust?
Those of you who have gone back to working after a long time off work - was there a period of adjustment, before you got used to it? Did you get used to it? How did you tell the difference between start-up demands that you would eventually get used to and thus things would eventually become easier, or it actually being too much for you?
I just got hired for the first time in about five years, and the first time since I recovered my health. I am very unused to working, or really unused to anything physically demanding, as when I was ill I really couldn't move around much and I'm just now getting used to the fact that I'm well again.
If it's just a shock to my body because it's a sudden increase in activity that I will eventually ease into that's fine, but I'm cautious about accidentally taking on something which is too much for me, with the threat of autistic burnout. That was a big part of what happened with my health, and I need to take better care of myself getting back into working. I don't think I could deal with that happening again, especially relatively soon.
I'm notoriously unable to make these kinds of distinctions. I really want to start working again and though this new job isn't ideal, it's also not bad at all and has many advantages for me just getting back into working life again. So I'd like to keep going if I can (plus desperate needs for money).
But I am finding it very tiring. I'm hoping that's just a natural reaction to an increased activity and it being a labour intensive job. Others who have done the job tell me they found it tiring too at first but that one grows accustomed to it in time. I hope so, but am curious as to how other autistics handle this, with the added danger of becoming overwhelmed or burnt-out.
Insights?
_________________
Alexithymia - 147 points.
Low-Verbal.
I've never been out of work for more than a few months and I've been fortunate to work in an autism friendly field (IT) but I've switched jobs twice in the last two years. Each time there was a long period of stress, about six months or so, when I had to re-establish some of my calming exercises like maintaining a personal space, walks outside on lunches and predictable work times. After that adjustment period I can relax a bit more and start getting down to the work. Most office jobs don't expect new staff to make any major impact for the first six months anyway.
Since the now world of work in America doesn't mean 30+ years of employment at one company I'm learning to recognize when I'm just stressed about the novelty of a situation and when I'm actually unhappy. If I can't see a solution in a few months I know to start looking for another job.
As far as your case C2V, depending on the type of job you'll have to use your judgement on whether or not you can cope. If it's physically demanding and you think that you can come out stronger then I think you should continue with it but if it's just work that will burn you out again you should start looking around while drawing a paycheck. Also remember that when you first start a job you haven't earned any trust with the organization so there will be more interaction with managers and trainers than when you're experienced. That's what usually stresses me out since I need a lot of time to find a comfortable niche.