2025 Begins with Bland Normalcy

Last updated on January 13, 2025

Life is rarely perfect, but it can be blandly normal. I admit that 2024 wasn’t easy. It ended badly. At least it wasn’t quite like how eventful 2023 was, with an ICU visit I’d rather not repeat. For now, I am attempting to accept the bland normalcy of life in 2025.

Social media and online communities can make life as an Autistic seem miserable. I recognize that most of my blog posts and podcasts deal with negative or at least challenging aspects of life in the neurominority. However, it’s important to remind my readers and followers that most days are uneventful, without emergencies, shocks, or surprises.

Admittedly, I am trying to get the Perspectives on Neurodiversity podcast queue back on track, and I hope to continue updating The Autistic Me blog. I am working on writing projects and collaborating with Leigh on some of her ideas. Overall, the plan for now is to reset my mind and body while looking forward.

The girls, Leigh and Anne, are healthy and doing well in school. They are still in the neurominority, of course, with all the challenges of their various traits. Still, there’s nothing extra exciting happening. They are both in swim club at the local YMCA and they are active Girl Scouts, with Susan as their Scout Leader. Leigh continues her music lessons and Anne is still trying to find her personal passion.

We had a good Christmas break, which was as traditional as imaginable. As a family, we went to see a performance of The Nutcracker. I took the girls to see several movies, including Wicked (Part One). On Christmas Day, there were a lot of LEGO kits, some robotics kits, books, and games. The weather was warm, so the girls also enjoyed a couple of long bike rides.

I plan to work more with the girls on basic life skills, from cleaning to cooking. They’re old enough to start helping in the kitchen more seriously. Even when they were little, I let them help bake cookies; it’s time to start teaching them to prepare meals. They’re also helping out more with yard work.

Could things be better? Yes.

Leigh cannot wait to be free of her scoliosis brace and her orthodontic braces. Anne wants to form some close friendships. They seem like normal preteens to me.

I’d love to have a full-time job or a successful writing career. I am searching for a teaching position closer to home, since my body rebelled against the long commute to the previous campus. Again, like many people with doctorates and a desire to teach, I’m not alone on the market so there’s nothing uniquely troubling about the situation. Once I recover from the recent back and shoulder issues, I’ll be able to focus more on seeking employment and my writing projects.

I look forward to another year as a father, husband, and writer. I’ll either find a path ahead or make one.

Overall, we’re content as a family. Uneventful days are good.