Female. Late twenties. Autistic. I know a lot of people with autism wish they were more “normal”. I know a lot of them experience lonliness & wish they were better at making friends. I don’t. I feel like I’m completely alien grom others, both neurodivergent & neurotypical, because I can REALLY do without other people. Even being around my own family causes me stress. I hate having to make chit chat. I quit a job at my local grocery, but sometimes I have to shop there, & having to see my former co-workers just makes me wish I could turn invisible. I only have two friends. Going new places causes anxiety & talking to them about emotional issues & personal stuff just tuckers me out & confuses me. My inner world is colorful & vivid. My hobbies keep me engaged & active, physically & mentally. I just don’t need human interaction to make me feel fulfilled or happy. I just wish evryone new how frazzled I get having to be around people, but there’s no kind way to tell everyone to leave you alone forever. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. But I could really do without the people in my life. I feel bad about that.