HOW AUTISTIC NICK IS PREPARING TO GO BACK TO WORK
Ahh the Christmas Holidays, gone are the days of wrapping up in warm clothes, and hurrying out of your front door and your boot/shoe hitting the crisp white snow that has freshly fallen onto the ground.
As you walk towards the shops, you smile and greet strangers or local villagers that you know.
But this isn’t England and it’s not snowing (unless you live in a mountain region of Syndey or Melbourne).
Not for us the cold, dark, snowy filled days or yore, but for us it’s 38+ degrees in a sweltering heatwave of humidity and exhaustion!
But I am not about to write an in dept weather report, I know my lane and I’m sticking to it!
I am about to head back to work next week and so I am in the process of preparing myself.
HOW I AM DOING THIS?
I began to make a check list.
I usually begin my checklist process on the Wednesday, so that on Thursday I can do one last quick check and then head out the door towards the train station.
But I can hear you asking yourselves what do you take? What’s in the backpack? Unlike Detective Sunil ‘Sunny’ Khan from the UK TV show Unforgotten I will show you. When will we see what’s in his backpack? When?
Here then is my checklist of items that I take with me to work secure in my backpack. I won’t be as secretive as Detective Sunil Khan. Just what is he hiding?
Today I sent out an email to my digital editor at work. I wanted her to be aware of my new working hours.
PITCH IDEAS
I was bought a new notebook for Christmas, and I have begun to put it to good use. I have two solid ideas that I am confident that I can successfully pitch when I am next back at work.
SMART RIDER CARD
I have made sure that my Smart Rider card has enough money on it for the year having recently topped it up via my Smart Rider account. The Smart Rider is a card that allows me to travel on trains, buses, or ferry’s but without having to use actual cash or a debit card.
This is a pre-loaded card that you simply tap and go with. To find out more click on the link here https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/smartrider/types-of-smartrider this is for WA residents only.
BACKPACK ITEMS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL.
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
I make sure that these are packed the night before and, in the morning, before I leave for work, I double check that I have them in my bag.
WORD SEARCH BOOK
I carry a word search book in my backpack as a sensory calming item. I usually make sure that I complete four searches on the train journey to work and then four on the train journey back from work. I find it prevents me from becoming overwhelmed and stressed and gives me something to focus on. Obviously, it cannot prevent a meltdown from occurring but it’s an aid, nevertheless.
PREPARING THE NIGHT BEFORE
This is something that I do without fail as I don’t want to forget anything and become stressed which could lead to me becoming overwhelmed and then head into a meltdown.
I made sure that pack my backpack the night before, this means packing my lunch, shaving, and washing and ironing an outfit suitable for work, making sure that my car has enough petrol in it, and my shoes are polished, I had my word search puzzle book and a pen, my work notebook, and a water bottle. I also made sure that my phone was fully charged before I left home (I took my recharger with me).
CARRY ON THE CONVERSATION
As always, I can also be found on Twitter:@AutisticNickAU and on the Autistic Nick Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/AutisticNickAU/
Thank you for reading and I will see you next time for more thoughts from across the spectrum.
Autistic Nick 