I’ve been stressing a lot recently, and as a result, stimming quite a bit. I usually have some sort of stimming object near me. I have a stress ball on my desk, and have a tendency to just trace the outline of my phone case where it has an opening for the camera.
Stimming is not exclusively an autistic trait. Lots of neurotypical folks engage in some stimming behaviors. Most just don’t know that’s what they are doing. That said, it’s much more prominent in autistic people, particularly when we are feeling stressed.
I have a spinner ring from HRC that I’ve had for many years. It recently stopped being easy to spin, and became more of a negative than a positive. I had hoped to replace it, but the one I have is no longer available. So I took to the internet and began a search for a new one I might like. I did end up finding one I liked a lot, and it arrived today. The image below is from the site where I purchased it. It’s called a “Recognition Ring.” No, I don’t get anything for pointing you to that site.
That’s one version of the runic alphabet on the center ring, in pride flag colors. The fact that it is the runic alphabet is comforting to me, as an eclectic Pagan. The pride colors will speak to other queer people who happen to see it as well.
I bought it in a large enough size that I can wear it on my index finger. That means I can, if I choose, use the thumb on that same hand to spin it, unobtrusively. I already love it, and I’ve only been wearing it for a few hours. This ring spins easily and it does help with my stress and anxiety. You will get a photo of me wearing it. Well, it’s a photo of my hand, because I wanted a closeup.
My hand has a lot of wrinkles. I’m old, what can I say? BTW: I do my own nails. I received that particular polish a few days ago. I like it.
The major source of my recent stress seems to be at an end now. I’m hopeful that things will settle down for a bit. That said, I’m autistic. I am a survivor of significant trauma. There will be other times in my future when stimming will be comforting. And now I have a stim that I can have with me all the time, and can use without attracting undue attention from the neurotypicals. It’s pretty, and it tells other folk like me that I am one of them, without screaming it and attracting undesirable attention from the residents of this very red rural area.
The journey continues.
An Aging Trans Woman 
Your hand doesn’t look old in the photo. Your nails look nice. I’m so happy you found a good new spinner ring, too. You are exemplary at self care, Janet. Good work!
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Thanks Ali. It certainly looks old to me, with all those wrinkles.But I’ve never been good at judging my appearance. It’s a really common phenomenon amongst trans people, especially us women. We subconsciously measure ourselves against cis beauty standards, which are utter nonsense even for cis women. 🤷♀️
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Heh! I started calling myself old at 50, based on the idea/fact that a 50 year old object (dresser, auto, whatever) is old and worn, so a person obviously is also going to be old and worn. Heck, cars are antiques at 25! I also am not so great at doing things like moisturizer on skin that isn’t my face, and I only do my face because it’s so uncomfortable if I don’t! When I was young, such things were considered wastes of time and money for me, then I just never fell into it. But I do keep Oil of Olay with SPF in stock for my face, and DH had Intensive Care around the house for him when I met him, so we keep that up. I’m a little better about it, but I can see crepeyness and a little sagging on my hands while I’m driving. Sunlight is so kind… but, I decided it means I’ve lived. I guess!😆🌞 That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it.
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When I was cosplaying as a man, skin care wasn’t a thing that men did. It just wasn’t. So I have 50 years of accumulated damage I will never repair. I have very crepey skin, especially on my forearms. It is life. And sure, it means we’ve lived. 🤷♀️
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