On interests and activities.

[Neia]

Is it a trait of autism to not be able to dedicate equal amounts of time to different interests?

For instance: a couple of years ago I finally had the chance to have my lifelong dream of learning biblical Greek come true. But, at the time I was going through a "crochet all the time" phase. I was obsessed with crochet to the point of even dreaming with it.

The Greek classes were free, because our Pastor is a qualified Koine Greek teacher and decided to teach us for free because so many of us wanted to learn.
I even got part of the things needed as a gift from my best friend.
I bought all the Mounce books, bought a new notebook and eagerly started the classes.

But in the end, I gave up Greek because I was falling behind, because I wasn't going at it "properly" according to my own opinion. I was too engrossed with crochet
I also was going through major anxiety issues at the time, and crochet helped calm me down.

I don't like to do anything by halves, so I decided to stop. Because I wasn't doing it properly.

In my mind, if I'm not doing it properly, then there's no point in doing it. Whatever "it" is.

Is this ASD, ADHD or what?

Apparently I have both, because having just one isn't enough

 

[Outdated]

You sound quite normal to me. You're inquisitive and eager to find out about new things, and quite often once the fascination with something new has worn off you find it's not all that thrilling any more.

Even things I get engrossed in eventually become old and not so exciting any more. And sometimes old interests come back around again.

 

[Neia]

You sound quite normal to me. You're inquisitive and eager to find out about new things, and quite often once the fascination with something new has worn off you find it's not all that thrilling any more.

Even things I get engrossed in eventually become old and not so exciting any more. And sometimes old interests come back around again.

I'm still interested in learning Greek. But there's always something to butt in
I know I'll feel frustrated if I can't dedicate enough time to it, so I won't get started, again, until I can pour my full (almost) attention into it.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I generally do not have consuming thoughts about how much time is dedicated to any one of my many special interests. I actually like the idea of having more than one special interest, because, frankly, some of mine require me to spend money, and sometimes, the budget simply doesn't allow for it. It's nice to be able to pivot and focus upon something different for a bit.

 

[AspieChris]

Is it a trait of autism to not be able to dedicate equal amounts of time to different interests?

An interest is just that….. something you’re interested in right now. It may be interesting for a minute ir a year. You may need to take breaks for work, sleep, etc. But it’s really just what has your attention “right now”.

The problem I struggled with is/was comparing myself to Neurotypicals who seem to juggle multiple interests over time. I am easily distracted until I find myself immersed in one particular thing. That ‘hyper-focused’ interest may consume my thoughts for an hour or a decade.

You should really do whatever you want, whenever you want, as long as you’re not hurting anyone else and you’re paying the bills on time.

Is it a trait of autism? Probably.
Does it matter? Probably not.

 

[Mr. Stevens]

I don't like to do anything by halves, so I decided to stop. Because I wasn't doing it properly.

In my mind, if I'm not doing it properly, then there's no point in doing it. Whatever "it" is.

Is this ASD, ADHD or what?

Just a point of view What is proper?

 

[Rodafina]

I also was going through major anxiety issues at the time, and crochet helped calm me down.

I don't like to do anything by halves, so I decided to stop. Because I wasn't doing it properly.

My guess is that these two statements have something to do with what you are describing. Anxiety can be closely related to perfectionism, and the desire to do things well can actually inhibit us from doing anything at all. The idea that “if I can’t do something properly, I won’t do it,” can be very limiting.

In what you described above, it seems like the language course was increasing your anxiety and the crochet was decreasing it, so it makes sense that you would be drawn to the more therapeutic and positive activity at the time.

I think when we start to let go of the idea of perfectionism and expect that some things may be messy and less than “proper,” we actually open ourselves up to indulging in more of our interests. After all, learning new things inherently starts from a place of not knowing, incompetence, and imperfection.

 

[Neia]

Just a point of view What is proper?

Doing something the very best way I can, not doing a half-assed job of it.

If I learn a language, I learn it! Grammar and all I love the intricacies of languages. I love discovering the connections with other languages. Like the Kine Greek word mastigoó, which literally means to scourge, and the Portuguese word mastigo, which means to chew.
I love being able to see those connections.

I love words

 

[Cutesie]

Just a point of view What is proper?

As I amn't working and never really have, people urge me to explore my special interest as a career. I prefer to keep what that is private for now, but it is something that can be marketable. The problem is that I don't do it "properly". When I do it for my own pleasure or as a favor for friends, it's not an issue that it's done on my own terms. In order to make money from it, I would have to learn how to do all the work necessary. That goes far beyond where my interest lies.

I do have multiple interests and they do conflict with each other. It's often a struggle when I'm getting pulled in different direction by the various parts of my mind.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

The idea that “if I can’t do something properly, I won’t do it,” can be very limiting.

My father’s motto, if you can’t do something right, don’t do it at all.

 

[Cutesie]

My father’s motto, if you can’t do something right, don’t do it at all.

Upon reading this motto, the first thought was to contrast this one with another: "If you're doing something, do it right." If we look at them literally, both are saying the same thing. The difference is that the positive one makes us (my mother and I, at least) add words that aren't there. It's as if it says, "...do it to the best of your ability ". That may very well have been your father's definition of "right".

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Upon reading this motto, the first thought was to contrast this one with another: "If you're doing something, do it right." If we look at them literally, both are saying the same thing. The difference is that the positive one makes us (my mother and I, at least) add words that aren't there. It's as if it says, "...do it to the best of your ability ". That may very well have been your father's definition of "right".

Trust me, that was not it.