thoughts of an aspie

TOAA Reflections The Choices We Have in a Conflict By Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso Choices are something we face every single day as people and among those we have to make a lot of them in the midst of interactions with others. This unfortunately means that we can expect some level of personal conflicts with others. Often in emotional conflicts and…

TOAA Reflections What Does it Mean to Communicate “Like an Adult”? By Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso I’ve been dealing with a lot of things lately and while my small pool of friends has prevented me from having to be in the middle of other people’s business for the most part, it wasn’t enough to make me immune. I won’t really go…

Please be aware that this article contains graphic descriptions of suicide and other sensitive material. These are not fictional incidents or creepy pastas. These are actual incidents and real reflections from the point of view of someone dealing with suicidal tendencies. None of it is plagiarized and none of it will be censored.  If this makes you uncomfortable I would…

TOAA Reflections Maintenance Levels and Looking Your Age By Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso I’ve had a really strange week. I’ve wanted to write but I haven’t wanted to write what I’m supposed to be working on. I’m not sure if that’s just an affliction a writer has or just a creative thing in general. If you’re an artist or some other…

Human relationships can be a complicated thing, and on a deeper level so can reconciling who you are as a person and knowing where your own morals should or do lie. We deal with moral dilemmas on a daily basis and it can sometimes be difficult to know when we’re truly doing the right thing or taking a proper stance…

TOAA Reflections Seeing Color & What it Truly Means to be Offended By Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso Earlier tonight I read a Twitter thread regarding the use of the phrase “I don’t see color.” and it made me think a good bit. Now if it’s not perfectly clear from my avatar, I am a person of color. I’m also a person…

TOAA Reflections Finding Resolve in a New Year By Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso It’s been a while since I’ve written anything. I am still going to get back to regular blogs soon but I wanted to warm up a little with a good reflection. I hope everyone is having a good year so far. Now you might be wondering how relevant…

TOAA Reflections Giving the Gifts That Matter By Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso For most holidays we celebrate as people there are rituals associated with them such as eating food or giving gifts. Over the years giving gifts has risen from being part of Christmas to perhaps the most prominent part of it.Christmas is not only one of the most profitable commercially…

TOAA Reflections Understanding Guilt and Healing Through Selfishness By Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso I woke up this morning with a flurry of ideas and I had to write another reflection. I think short of being a little behind on my creative work this week, I’ve been even more behind on self-care. When we’re dealing with stress and abuse, especially at the…

TOAA Reflections Shouldn’t a Person’s Best be Good Enough? By Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso Growing up I was more or less forcibly raised into the Catholic church and given the idea that the holidays were about peace and love. I remember seeing everything from images on cards to families in movies having wonderful holidays where people worked together and parents doted…