42 Comments

I don't know where I am heading. But I do know your words will be there with me.

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Likewise, yours with me!

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I really feel the "I don't know if I'm an extrovert anymore" and the rewiring of the social brain post-pandemic. I found out that I'm autistic during the pandemic, so I probably was never as, let's say traditionally, social as I pretended to be. But I did feel a really big change during and after the pandemic. Sometimes I feel like no one is really talking about how much that period of time affected us all anymore. I know there's a million more horrible things that have happened sense then, but it's nice to hear someone reflected a bit on that period in time again- so thank you!

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So true, we don't talk about the 'shit old days of Covid' as much anymore. At one point we blamed everything on the pandemic and now we're just numb to these new realities. I love that your publication is called "The Autistic Asshole's Substack" - so on the nose haha, maybe writing will shed light on the old extrovert in you while giving a voice to the new one.

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Very true! Sometimes I just sit and think- that pandemic happened, right?? I mean again I get it, there's a million horrible things happening now to talk about, it just can feel a bit strange at times that we all went through that and now we don't talk about it. Haha, glad you like the title!! The writing does help me try to exert my authentic self (still figuring out exactly what that looks like) a bit more.

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You probably already know, how I find the missing corner piece.. but incase you have forgotten, I will share again. There have been numerous times in my journey that I have found myself with a puzzle filled with just blue pieces..and every such situation ( actually daily ) - I say this multiple times with immense faith.............- <___>, Grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to understand the difference. This has been incredibly grounding and helped me find the balance, the hope to keep going.

<___>, Grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to understand the difference is the Missing corner piece. Try this corner piece and hope you are able to get a little farther with the puzzle.

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Resonate with this so much! Nicely written bro :)

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thank you very very much :)

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Really enjoyed reading this! Super fun. I think you’re doing exactly what you’re meant to. And your possible future children would definitely benefit from your understanding of not understanding all the unknowns. 🥳

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whenever encountering a post that speaks my heart, i subscribe and scroll through the publication's older posts and i was todays y/o when i learned that substack existed way backkk 2021 or maybe even earlier ??

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agh your scrolling brings me joy! (substack has been around for quite some time, glad to see it gaining speed now)

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I loved this read and felt like it was brought to me right when I needed it to know that I’m not alone in feeling these things. I really enjoyed it <3

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this gutted me. thank you.

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that sounds painful - I'll send a bottle of wine as an apology (and a thank you for reading).

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This is the kind of writing that makes me jealous. Kudos 😉

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well that definitely wasn't the intent haha, thank you friend!

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I don't know how else to respond to this except to say that I loved reading it!! Love the way you integrate the quotes into the whole "I don't know" thing. And this is such a great simile: "as if faith were a lottery ticket I'm too superstitious to throw away." Thank you for sharing these very, very relatable thoughts & feelings!

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Thank you so much for your note - it means the world that you found a piece of yourself here.

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So so good 👏🏻

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appreciate you!

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This is lovely Rish.

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thank you Raymond!

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Love the opening line on this! So stoked to discover your work rish!

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you wouldn't believe how long I spent trying to write a first line - so stoked you love it!

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Beautiful man! Really well written.

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thank you so much :)

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Lately I've been thinking that one of the best things we can do for others (and ourselves) is simply to try to live in a more consistent and predictable manner. In an unstable, rapidly changing world, this is a gift that few individuals and institutions seem to be able to offer.

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I agree and also disagree, and while I hate being the kind of person to always talk about 'balance', I don't have another answer here. For some months, I crave consistency, and then I'm hit with a wave of impulsiveness and rapid water. Guess that's what they mean by ebb and flow. At some point I feel that we have to change with the world, and change struggles in a world of predictability. But the part I agree with you is that we should TRY to live consistently. Trying would get us as far as possible, until change inevitably comes around.

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Into the abyss we go

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and way downnn we go

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