Alex
@alexharpin.bsky.social
She/they.
Autistic.
Also talk about my experience with OCD, eating disorders, Axial Spondyloarthritis.
Kiwi-Brit 🇪🇺 in London, England.
Librarian.
Interests: nature, animals, my cuddly family.
Lifelong vegetarian.
All views are my own.
Autistic.
Also talk about my experience with OCD, eating disorders, Axial Spondyloarthritis.
Kiwi-Brit 🇪🇺 in London, England.
Librarian.
Interests: nature, animals, my cuddly family.
Lifelong vegetarian.
All views are my own.
Pinned
Alex
@alexharpin.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Lots of lovely new followers here! Hello 👋 I’m Alex. I started posting fairly regularly after realising I’m Autistic in my mid thirties. I’m still processing it all 3 years on so writing it out helps me. I also post about my experiences with OCD, eating disorder recovery and Axial Spondyloarthritis.
Beautiful Christmas tree in Vauxhall, London 🎄
December 10, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Beautiful Christmas tree in Vauxhall, London 🎄
Reposted by Alex
The autistic tendency to stay up late because:
- nighttime is when the world finally slows down (quieter, fewer demands, less sensory input)
- you’ve been randomly hyperfocusing
- “do not perceive me”
- SPECIAL INTERESTS! ❤️
- transitioning to bedtime can be hard
- your circadian rhythm is chaos 🫠
- nighttime is when the world finally slows down (quieter, fewer demands, less sensory input)
- you’ve been randomly hyperfocusing
- “do not perceive me”
- SPECIAL INTERESTS! ❤️
- transitioning to bedtime can be hard
- your circadian rhythm is chaos 🫠
December 8, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The autistic tendency to stay up late because:
- nighttime is when the world finally slows down (quieter, fewer demands, less sensory input)
- you’ve been randomly hyperfocusing
- “do not perceive me”
- SPECIAL INTERESTS! ❤️
- transitioning to bedtime can be hard
- your circadian rhythm is chaos 🫠
- nighttime is when the world finally slows down (quieter, fewer demands, less sensory input)
- you’ve been randomly hyperfocusing
- “do not perceive me”
- SPECIAL INTERESTS! ❤️
- transitioning to bedtime can be hard
- your circadian rhythm is chaos 🫠
Reposted by Alex
Like many late discovered peeps, I sometimes still have imposter’s syndrome around being autistic…until I remember my teen years…
December 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Like many late discovered peeps, I sometimes still have imposter’s syndrome around being autistic…until I remember my teen years…
How is it possible it is only really another two weeks until Christmas? It feels like yesterday it was Christmas last year! 🎄
December 5, 2025 at 11:27 PM
How is it possible it is only really another two weeks until Christmas? It feels like yesterday it was Christmas last year! 🎄
Reposted by Alex
Public autistic meltdowns are brutal. They feel sudden, but they’re usually the result of days or weeks of stress building up. By the time it happens, you’re already running on fumes, tired, overloaded, and stretched too far. It only takes one tiny trigger for everything to spill over. 1/3
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Public autistic meltdowns are brutal. They feel sudden, but they’re usually the result of days or weeks of stress building up. By the time it happens, you’re already running on fumes, tired, overloaded, and stretched too far. It only takes one tiny trigger for everything to spill over. 1/3
Reposted by Alex
I don’t romanticise autism.
But I’m also done pretending the real problem is us.
It’s the hostile environments, the absurd expectations, and the constant demand to be palatable.
But I’m also done pretending the real problem is us.
It’s the hostile environments, the absurd expectations, and the constant demand to be palatable.
December 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I don’t romanticise autism.
But I’m also done pretending the real problem is us.
It’s the hostile environments, the absurd expectations, and the constant demand to be palatable.
But I’m also done pretending the real problem is us.
It’s the hostile environments, the absurd expectations, and the constant demand to be palatable.
Reposted by Alex
Every Autistic person has always been Autistic.
Every ADHD person has always been ADHD.
(Same for AuDHD)
This is true even if they’re never diagnosed.
Every ADHD person has always been ADHD.
(Same for AuDHD)
This is true even if they’re never diagnosed.
December 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Every Autistic person has always been Autistic.
Every ADHD person has always been ADHD.
(Same for AuDHD)
This is true even if they’re never diagnosed.
Every ADHD person has always been ADHD.
(Same for AuDHD)
This is true even if they’re never diagnosed.
I don’t understand why companies offer the ability to contact them via an online form and then don’t respond so you end up having to call them anyway, which is difficult for many. Currently on hold for a very long trying to speak to someone about a delivery that appears to have gone missing 🙁
December 4, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I don’t understand why companies offer the ability to contact them via an online form and then don’t respond so you end up having to call them anyway, which is difficult for many. Currently on hold for a very long trying to speak to someone about a delivery that appears to have gone missing 🙁
Because you can’t have enough bears 🐻 on the tree 🎄 here’s our newest family member ❤️
December 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Because you can’t have enough bears 🐻 on the tree 🎄 here’s our newest family member ❤️
At the moment I am absolutely loving Pret’s Festive Truffle Pasta. Warming and tasty. I might be the only one, but it’s currently one of my favourites. It’s just a shame about the price point, otherwise I’d happily have this everyday for lunch!
November 26, 2025 at 7:42 PM
At the moment I am absolutely loving Pret’s Festive Truffle Pasta. Warming and tasty. I might be the only one, but it’s currently one of my favourites. It’s just a shame about the price point, otherwise I’d happily have this everyday for lunch!
Reposted by Alex
You can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely
And when you’re autistic, that feeling can be even louder
But everything changes the moment you find your people - the ones who get you, celebrate you, and make the world feel a little less overwhelming ❤️
And when you’re autistic, that feeling can be even louder
But everything changes the moment you find your people - the ones who get you, celebrate you, and make the world feel a little less overwhelming ❤️
November 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
You can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely
And when you’re autistic, that feeling can be even louder
But everything changes the moment you find your people - the ones who get you, celebrate you, and make the world feel a little less overwhelming ❤️
And when you’re autistic, that feeling can be even louder
But everything changes the moment you find your people - the ones who get you, celebrate you, and make the world feel a little less overwhelming ❤️
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our house! Very uplifting 🎄
November 25, 2025 at 9:11 PM
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our house! Very uplifting 🎄
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to our upstairs neighbours but I so wish housing had good soundproofing like some hotels. The whole time we were in Berlin I didn’t hear any noise from fellow guests but now it’s back to the usual noise from neighbours. How I wish that was different!
November 13, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to our upstairs neighbours but I so wish housing had good soundproofing like some hotels. The whole time we were in Berlin I didn’t hear any noise from fellow guests but now it’s back to the usual noise from neighbours. How I wish that was different!
Reposted by Alex
✨New research
Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”?
- mixed views
- important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!)
- for some, it’s a safe umbrella term
- for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma
Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”?
- mixed views
- important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!)
- for some, it’s a safe umbrella term
- for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma
November 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
✨New research
Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”?
- mixed views
- important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!)
- for some, it’s a safe umbrella term
- for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma
Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”?
- mixed views
- important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!)
- for some, it’s a safe umbrella term
- for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma
For me, icebreaker activities really heighten anxiety. Trying to think of an interesting fact about myself while wondering what others might find interesting, trying to remember what someone has told me to repeat back to the rest of the group…usually I just want to run away and hide.
#Autistic
#Autistic
November 12, 2025 at 10:11 PM
For me, icebreaker activities really heighten anxiety. Trying to think of an interesting fact about myself while wondering what others might find interesting, trying to remember what someone has told me to repeat back to the rest of the group…usually I just want to run away and hide.
#Autistic
#Autistic
Long weekend in Berlin. Such a wonderful experience. Really interesting and we had a great time. Looking forward to going back sometime! Too many photos but here’s a little selection ❤️
November 12, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Long weekend in Berlin. Such a wonderful experience. Really interesting and we had a great time. Looking forward to going back sometime! Too many photos but here’s a little selection ❤️
I love the community here. I came on here this evening upset and anxious after my dentist appointment today and can go to bed feeling more comfortable about the whole thing, thanks to others talking about their experiences and helping reassure me. Thanks so much to you all ❤️
November 3, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I love the community here. I came on here this evening upset and anxious after my dentist appointment today and can go to bed feeling more comfortable about the whole thing, thanks to others talking about their experiences and helping reassure me. Thanks so much to you all ❤️
Reposted by Alex
Autistic me has been baffled to discover how much of the world functions only because a large majority of people comply without needing to understand what they are doing or why.
November 3, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Autistic me has been baffled to discover how much of the world functions only because a large majority of people comply without needing to understand what they are doing or why.
I went to the dentist and ended up crying afterwards as I have to have a filling for the first time in my life because of abfraction and need to choose between 3 options to prevent teeth grinding, leaning towards a night guard to try tor now. It’s overwhelming and I’ve always dreaded treatment!
November 3, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I went to the dentist and ended up crying afterwards as I have to have a filling for the first time in my life because of abfraction and need to choose between 3 options to prevent teeth grinding, leaning towards a night guard to try tor now. It’s overwhelming and I’ve always dreaded treatment!
Recovering from an eating disorder is very hard but especially in a society where diet talk seems so prevalent. When you’re developing a healthier relationship with food and exercise but constantly reminded about how many calories are in specific foods and discussions about diets/exercise dominate..
October 28, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Recovering from an eating disorder is very hard but especially in a society where diet talk seems so prevalent. When you’re developing a healthier relationship with food and exercise but constantly reminded about how many calories are in specific foods and discussions about diets/exercise dominate..
It’s strange to me that noise teams will deal with complaints about certain noises like DIY, parties, using some household appliances late at night but things like running around and banging and crashing from children playing late at night, no it’s regular household noise. It’s late and disruptive 😢
October 22, 2025 at 10:28 PM
It’s strange to me that noise teams will deal with complaints about certain noises like DIY, parties, using some household appliances late at night but things like running around and banging and crashing from children playing late at night, no it’s regular household noise. It’s late and disruptive 😢
Reposted by Alex
It takes 2.6 seconds for me to go from “there’s something beautiful in every human being” to “get me off this planet”
October 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
It takes 2.6 seconds for me to go from “there’s something beautiful in every human being” to “get me off this planet”
Had both my flu and Covid vaccines this evening! Great start to the weekend 😊
October 17, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Had both my flu and Covid vaccines this evening! Great start to the weekend 😊
Reposted by Alex
I can’t emphasize enough how useful being autistic is for academic research. In particular, the ability to make connections & spot patterns across large quantities of data. I feel like this is what my brain was made to do. #Autistic
October 15, 2025 at 12:41 AM
I can’t emphasize enough how useful being autistic is for academic research. In particular, the ability to make connections & spot patterns across large quantities of data. I feel like this is what my brain was made to do. #Autistic
Reposted by Alex
Most autistic people I meet *like* being autistic. It’s core to who they are & comes with many strengths
What’s hard is surviving in a society that rarely accommodates, respects or tries to understand us
There’s a BIG difference between being autistic & being unsupported
Let’s not confuse the two
What’s hard is surviving in a society that rarely accommodates, respects or tries to understand us
There’s a BIG difference between being autistic & being unsupported
Let’s not confuse the two
October 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Most autistic people I meet *like* being autistic. It’s core to who they are & comes with many strengths
What’s hard is surviving in a society that rarely accommodates, respects or tries to understand us
There’s a BIG difference between being autistic & being unsupported
Let’s not confuse the two
What’s hard is surviving in a society that rarely accommodates, respects or tries to understand us
There’s a BIG difference between being autistic & being unsupported
Let’s not confuse the two