When I was 16, my world transformed in two profound ways. I became a mother, and I began the journey of raising a child who—like me—experienced the world through a neurodivergent lens. Neither of us knew it then, but we were both autistic, navigating a world that wasn't designed for minds like ours. ## Two Space Cadets Finding Our Way They called me a "space cadet" long before I understood what it meant. Lost in thought, missing social cues, overwhelmed by sensory experiences others barely noticed—I lived in a different orbit from my peers. When my son came along, I recognized familiar patterns in him, though his autism expressed itself differently than mine. He was a bit less on the spectrum than me, but together, we formed our own constellation. What we lacked in traditional guidance, we made up for in understanding. When he couldn't bear the feel of certain fabrics, I didn't need an explanation. When I became overwhelmed in crowded spaces, he instinctively knew...
When “Change” Still Hurts There’s a kind of heartbreak that doesn’t come from the first betrayal, but from the second chance. From the moment you decide to believe someone when they say they’re different now. When you let them back into your life, your inbox, your bed, your nervous system. You lay it all out for them. You explain the history, the trauma, the way their past abuse rewired your brain. You use words like gaslighting, narrative control, and emotional safety. You talk about your need for clarity and consistency, about how silence and ambiguity don’t just sting—they destabilize everything inside you. They nod. They say they understand. They say they’re ready to do the work. And then, when it’s time to actually show up, they disappear into the very same patterns that broke you in the first place. The Old Pattern Wearing New Clothes It’s wild how subtle it can be. No screaming. No name‑calling. No dramatic ...