Post #4082159

Many, probably most AuDHD people experience rejection, emotional abuse, trauma, have CPTSD. When it comes to neurodivergent relationships, there's this moment when we start to open up, when we want to be close to another person. That makes us vulnerable, past experiences, thoughts, feelings rise to the surface. And even if we did inner work, even if we are not completely aware of it, don't want it, we feel the need to protect ourselves, become defensive, lash out. Some time ago I watched a series of videos about traumatized foster kittens. The woman who took care of them, had an older cat, who slowly approached them, slowly gained their trust. The little kittens were aggressive, but she stayed calm and slowly, carefully moved closer to the kitten until it calmed down, accepted the closeness, started to feel safe. In my experience we can be like these cats for each other. Staying calm, validating the struggles, the feelings of the other person, slowly gaining their trust. And when this is mutual, love starts to grow. #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #neurodivergent @autistics@fedigroups.social