A reflection on self-acceptance, setting boundaries, and living in the present.
Sometimes the most random situations help you realize what is causing your stress. Life is stressful, but dealing with mental health issues makes daily activities a struggle. Recently, we came to the realization that even though we are disabled, we never completely accept our limits. Part of our stress is caused by refusing to slow down and set boundaries.
Speaking on self-acceptance is easy, but practicing it is complicated. Throughout life, people have always tried to change us. Our disabilities were seen as an obstacle to overcome instead of normal parts of life.
Messages on social media will spout ableist rhetoric or ridicule others for not doing everything possible to be “normal.” Disabled is not a bad word, but humanity says it is a proverbial four better words.
People are constantly told to push beyond their limits to get where they need to go and don’t let anything stop them. Everyone has limits and you should not be encouraged to ruin your mental health to meet the status quo.
While we agree that personal growth is important, we were not practicing personal growth. By committing to things we cannot do, ignoring our limits, by feeling shame about our limits, we hurt our mental health. Our well-being was suffering because we believed we had to suffer to be successful.
Society is a megaphone telling us to change. Telling us that setting boundaries makes you weak. On the contrary, boundaries make you strong.
A person recently told us “You can take care of yourself, drink water, eat well, do good deeds, and in the end you will still die.”
It is a harsh reality, but everyone will die. We have a disability and didn’t accept our limits. We are not living. We are pushing forward and not appreciating the present. The present is what matters and we have missed so much by being focused on pushing beyond our limits.
We decided to live in the now. We are not going to fight our disability until we die. We vow to accept it. Set boundaries. Not feel shame about saying no.
To enjoy the life we have left, we have to let go of societal expectations and focus on what truly makes us happy.
Hello, we are autistic, we are disabled, we are a writer, artist, author and we have limitations. We accept these limitations and feel no shame.
Tas The Artist 
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