Inertia

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I'm having some difficulty getting started on things that should be easy. I know many of you can identify. So I retire into my computer and distract myself for hours each day.

This is in part a reaction to coming out of pandemic. My husband and I are both fully vaccinated, and have started going out (masked) to stores and restaurants. But as an autistic person, change is hard. Getting a social life back in gear, starting household tasks, dealing with constantly changing dynamics with my husband (who has dementia), I am dragging my feet on these.

A bigger challenge hangs over me like a cloud. I have to make some financial decisions soon. I know I'm putting it off. Pandemic was a great excuse to do nothing. I need to get some professional advice, then from that advice, chart out a course.

I don't like admitting it, but my own cognition is more taxed than it used to be, and I am less sure of myself.

Considering you're able to make all these connections, see patterns, and identify some of the contributing reasons for your inertia, your cognition still seems to be sound. You seem like the same Bea we all know, and it's only natural that you need a mental break from time to time. You've also been through a lot having your routines change drastically during Covid, and now changing back again to what likely seems unfamiliar. I'm still in emergency lockdown and nothing has let up, but I'm sure when the world reverts back I'll feel equally nervous, exhausted, and intimidated. Are you able to select one or two main goals for a day / week / month, and go from there? My dayplanner has been great in that regard and I'm not ashamed of scribbling things out, striking them from the list when I'm burnt out, or moving goals ahead to another week when I'm tired. Anything that absolutely must get done on a certain day requires advance shutdown time so I can build up my mental energy.

I'm glad you're seeking the help of an advisor and I hope they can give you the support and reassurance you need.

Small steps towards large goal

I am sorry that you are going through this.
Returning to society is not what anyone expects; there are changes, many of which I fear will be permanent.
You must be a very strong person to care for someone in the condition that your husband is in.
Physically, mentally, and most of all, emotionally.