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CuriousButDepressed
Snowy Owl
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01 May 2017, 6:32 am

Hello everyone. As I've said in one of my other posts, I was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and I'm trying to figure out all the odds and ends of the disorder that didn't make the cut for the generic Aspie stereotype. Anyway, I'm wondering if my outlook on things is a common one for Aspies, or if NTs can have it just as often. Whenever something bad is happening, I tend to panic badly and focus on future possibilities that could affect me if I do not take action regarding the issue. Therefore, I will prepare as best as I can and be armed not only with a solid plan of attack, but a million just as formidable backup plans. I suppose it's akin to a soldier having an array of lots of different weapons to defeat the Nazis with. Anyhow, what I'm usually thinking during this time is: "Prepare for the absolute worst, try your damndest to get through this, but hope for the best and never let go of that hope, but don't assume things will go your way just because you tried." Many people accuse me of having a poor attitude, that I'm "too negative" and that I don't have enough faith (like I'd ever want that quality). Whenever I acknowledge any negative reality and don't believe 100% that someone can do something, I'm seen as being defeatist. What do you guys think? Is my attitude of: "Prepare for the worst and don't be shocked if it happens, but hope for the best and fight for it" common in Aspies?



arielhawksquill
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01 May 2017, 7:35 am

Absolutely, a kind of cheerful pessimism has been with me all my life. I find people react better to it if you make your backup plans on your own, and only pull them out if something goes wrong. Keep your observations about negative outcomes to yourself, and only speak the positive hopes out loud. People will then praise you as both encouraging and resourceful instead of calling you a worrywort and a downer.



Jacoby
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01 May 2017, 7:40 am

I'd say I'm usualy way more pessimistic so I don't think it's too weird, 'hope for the best but prepare for the worst' I think is a pretty common outlook in general.



CuriousButDepressed
Snowy Owl
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01 May 2017, 8:15 am

Jacoby wrote:
I'd say I'm usualy way more pessimistic so I don't think it's too weird, 'hope for the best but prepare for the worst' I think is a pretty common outlook in general.


That's my outlook because I'm hyper-aware of the million different possibilities that could occur, being an INFP and all. I don't like to leave anything unaccounted for and will never give up, like I said. Still, I know that life isn't one of those cliched 80s sports movies where the bean pole becomes the badass, ya know? Sometimes the bean pole just stays the bean pole, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try to become the badass. I guess I see every problem as me being a Charmander trying to evolve into a Charizard, but knowing that I might only become a Charmeleon or even just stay a Charmander. Sorry if I'm rambling, I like making Pokemon analogies. :P

I suppose I thought it was an unusual outcome because my family and friends believe that I'm this hyper pessimistic person for having this outlook. My father will always say: "You ALWAYS account for the worst case scenarios! Stop planning for the future!" Because of that, I guess I thought my outlook was unusual.



Sofisol612
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01 May 2017, 5:50 pm

Well, I'm very pessimistic too, but I usually suck at planning. I hope for the best, as you all said, but expect the worst and am often anxious about what the future might bring. This year, for instance, I'm about to graduate from college, and I can't stop worrying about the possibility of not finding a job next year. Fortunately, my parents are always there to help me plan my future and reassure me when I'm feeling down. I know I'd be hopelessly depressed without them.

I don't know whether this is an aspie thing, though. Even if most aspies are pessimistic, I think NTs can be, too.


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Professionally diagnosed with PDD NOS as a child, but only told by my parents at the age of 21.

Autism Quotient: 30
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IstominFan
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01 May 2017, 8:50 pm

I would say I am generally optimistic, but I do plan ahead for things that may happen.



Anon_92
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02 May 2017, 12:48 am

Aspies are smarter than NTs and NTs hate Aspies for that. Aspies think and prepare, NTs will end up knocking on their doors for help to see there's none.

Making jokes about whatever you do is their way of pointing out "you're smarter than me and I hate you for that, so I am going to mess with you over that."

They know they'll get away with it because the world is full of NTs.



Anon_92
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02 May 2017, 12:52 am

You don't have to prepare- you already know. Whenever someone makes fun of you, take it to the Nth degree and suddenly it's even more funny but also stupid. Get a good laugh out of knowing the world is FULL OF IDIOTS.