RE: Weekend-Engagement: Life Without Anxiety Would Be Heaven

I never thought of it as something to congratulate anyone on

Same, I found it weird at first. Then I realized how much the diagnosis helped me not only know myself better but to also do self care that I need. Congratulations is not about the "yay you have autism!" but more like a "yay, you are finally validated and it's not just in your head like how others would say". I do understand that some people see it as a disability and some don't. But yeah, I think being validated is so important.

I can relate to that as well. One task all of a sudden now have so many steps that you need to do. It's the executive dysfunction I think? When you want to do things but you just can't do it which also causes the anxiety so much more. I wish it was easy to "just do it" but literally can't. I don't have any advices on that, but I understand and see how it affects you as it does to me the same way. I hope you can figure that out, seems like a really good idea plus walking is fun!

There is always 'something' that has held me back, and 'something' that continues to hold me back.

Pretty much the same with me. I know some people think their autism is a superpower since they are able to think about things other people can't do. Excellent pattern recognition, introspection, being able to point out details before others, etc.. That is not something you just learn with experience.
Really good for them for feeling this and I wish I am able to as well. But all of these come with disadvantages... which I think I need to focus more on the positives that I have because honestly I don't think I would be able to have those ideas in my art and stuff if I didn't have autism haha.

All the best to you!