Repatition better for people with AS?

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NomadicAssassin
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20 Jun 2010, 10:51 am

Is repatition better for people with AS, like it helps make the day go by easier, what I mean by repatition is have the same 7 pairs of the same clothes so I don't have to spend time at the closet each day, and having a scheduel for each day down to the minutes, and eating the same meals each day, ect... Does it help, if it does please in detail if you could give me like a set up of how to do this sort of thing for everyday life, I have severe anxiety so I'm trying to find a way to make my life easier.


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iniudan
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20 Jun 2010, 11:57 am

Eating same meal all the time would drive me insane, but planning in advance what you will eat during the the following week or month cannot hurt. But I don't do that for enjoy to cook and try thing while cooking, so mostly never know what I will end up with, never made anything that actually taste bad (plenty of look awful and taste descent or good through =p). For me cooking is just a chemistry lab where you can eat your experiment. =p

My wardrobe is made to all fit together so I admit I made it easy to not ask how I dress, just take the first thing that come to my sight.

And cannot really hold a schedule to the minute here I am just too chaotic, I just do what I feel like doing (load of habit that can make me seem like I am following a schedule through), only ever hold schedule if it involve someone else. So for that part I what you suggest is somewhat the opposite of me.


But if you want to do what you said I would say the first good step would be getting an agenda or some kind of notebook. Would say best time to plan is when you wake up or about to go to sleep. Don't forget to put some time to rest in the schedule, don't want to bring anxiety from overworking yourself. And don't forget an agenda is not set in stone if it doesn't involve other people, so if it not going well don't force yourself, just reschedule later. Also don't set up your agenda too much in advance, for thing that only involve yourself would say no more then 2-3 day in advance.



NomadicAssassin
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20 Jun 2010, 12:12 pm

Thx for the reply, I'll try that.


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Shebakoby
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20 Jun 2010, 12:20 pm

I only like repetition if it's something i like, or if it's something I want to remember.



Asterisp
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20 Jun 2010, 12:53 pm

Not everything has to be the same every time (thank god not). Exact times are not important for me. But I like doing things in a certain order. Getting up, booting up the PC, washing, eating breakfast, checking traffic, etc.

Diverting is not a big problem, as long as I can get the rest done or it is announced in advance. I can cope with a different schedule but it is annoying and tiring.



Willard
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20 Jun 2010, 2:31 pm

I think the fact that Autistics are so easily caught off guard and psychologically overwhelmed by things that happen suddenly or unexpectedly, makes us more comfortable with routine and ritual.

If we keep the parts of our lives that we CAN control in a specific order, then when something unexpected does come up, we're not as likely to be totally overwhelmed and go into instant meltdown.

On the other hand, just as not using a muscle will cause it to become weak and atrophied, too much dependence on routine may make you less capable of being able to handle anything outside that routine. You just have to find a workable balance. Repetition can be very helpful and useful in keeping your life and your mind organized, but too much of that can make your whole life start to become so predictable that it's boring.



Amajanshi
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20 Jun 2010, 3:36 pm

I believe repetition is very important for Aspies, especially in the context of routine because it creates predictability and reduces the stress throughout the day.

Of course it's necessary to be able to adapt to change when needed, but when stable, then repetition is wonderful imo.



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20 Jun 2010, 3:44 pm

You are not a cartoon character, you should wear different things each day that reflects your mood, and also your interests.
So, labeling clothes by moods, or labeling with days of the week may work.

For the eating issue, you can't have the same meal everyday. It's impossible (also unhealthy).
So, you should make a list for cooking one week before for the whole next week, or you may also try a monthly schedule and apply the same plan in every month.


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Happynolucky
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20 Jun 2010, 5:10 pm

My sensory issues make me very picky with what I eat, so I do tend to stick to the same meals but I rearrange the order and don't limit myself to just that food. I'm with iniudan on the wardrobe thing, though, mostly everything will go with everything except long sleeves and shorts......I pretty much love routines though.



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20 Jun 2010, 5:28 pm

I like to listen to the same songs, videos and CDs, over and over, but that's about it. 8)


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persian85033
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21 Jun 2010, 1:09 pm

I like repetition. I would be very happy if I could wear the same clothes every week, eat the same meal, etc. Possibly the only exception would be that I would be reading different books, though I also love reading the same one many times.


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