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Original poster

Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?

363 replies

furtheringeducation · 02/04/2023 08:34

Once my youngest goes to school full time in September?

Im thinking about a OU course but is it worth it if it’s just for me and not towards a qualification specifically for a job but just something I enjoy ? Do they ever make you go in person or a it all done from home ?
Im also wondering about some DIY projects as I really enjoy this type of thing and the house does need a lot of work.

I don’t really leave the house much but can get into the garden although I know nothing about gardening at all. I just don’t want to do nothing I’d like to find some things to keep my mind active

OP posts:
Thread gallery
39
Tirrrrred · 02/04/2023 20:21

@MynameisJune

My husband works away, including the weekends often. So it’s largely the kids and I, they’ve never known any different. I very much doubt your kids will realise the difference either.

Same here OP. All alone with the kids too.

yano · 02/04/2023 20:22

Nepmarthiturn · 02/04/2023 20:14

...

Oh wow, these are so beautiful! You're clearly very good at this!

Tirrrrred · 02/04/2023 20:22

@Nepmarthiturn

Beautiful.

I may need some advice lol. I never know where things need planting and the pruning and dividing confuses me 😯

Nepmarthiturn · 02/04/2023 20:27

I'm honestly still just learning too! Moved here a few years back and inherited a lovely garden from the previous family and thought oh god, I'd better learn what to do! But it's beought me so much joy and peace and my children have loved doing it with me. Certainly no expert, have mainly just put lots of bulbs in and left them to it. But such a good thing to look forward to in spring when waiting for the last of the unbearable winter to pass. Would be lovely to have others to share it with and see other people's pics too! 🌸🌼🌹

maudesvagina · 02/04/2023 20:33

Fututelearn have lots of courses. You pay if you want the certificate but can do it just for interest

Kiwimommyinlondon · 02/04/2023 20:36

I do hope you can get support for your agoraphobia OP. I think if that was resolved you’d have many doors open to you.

Nepmarthiturn · 02/04/2023 20:44

I found some excellent manuals on pruning etc which have become the bible, will try to find a link!

XenoBitch · 02/04/2023 22:19

A lot of OU courses will never lead to a job, and plenty of people do them to learn something new, or to challenge themselves. Have a browse on the OU website, and see if anything takes your fancy.

There are also sites like Udemy and Domestika that have loads of courses in a huge range of topics.

Gardening is a great idea, and you can also combine it with DIY and do things like make your own planters. You can make a simple but lovely planter out of decking planks (and it will be loads cheaper than buying ready made ones).

tothelefttotheleft · 02/04/2023 22:28

Nepmarthiturn · 02/04/2023 20:04

Think I went slightly mad with the tulips. My favourite spring flower. I hadn't realised but in the end we planted around 1500 bulbs!!

What an investment they will be though.

I've been in my house 20 years and I have daffodils that I enjoy every year that the precious occupant planted.

AutisticLegoLover · 02/04/2023 22:36

@Nepmarthiturn blooming beautiful pots! My garden is gravel, thank you landlord, and I can only do pots. Yours are inspiring but sadly I lack the funds.

Nepmarthiturn · 02/04/2023 23:09

@tothelefttotheleft how lovely. A family member who actually knows about gardening unlike me told me that gardens can take you by surprise; that you think something has gone then years later it pops up again! Things that multiply and spread on their own or come back year after year are fantastic.

I am all about low maintenance, the only exceptions I make are for the citrus trees (because in another life I'd have lived somewhere warm enough to have them planted in the ground, not wintered indoors) and the dahlias (because they look like alien plants that can't be real and they flower for about 5 months so I'll put up with them being slug magnets and drama llamas about watering).

@AutisticLegoLover you don't have to go quite as mad as I did (special interest compulsion got a bit out of control - I also have ADHD 🫢😳). Lots of places sell bulbs cheaply, you can make something beautiful with different flowers coming up for months in just one pot, look up "lasagne planting". @XenoBitch 's idea to make your own planter is brilliant! That would take me around 10000 years, but if you have practical skills is a great idea.

Nepmarthiturn · 02/04/2023 23:15

It's funny how so many of us have said on this thread that gardening has brought us peace. I never considered it would be something I'd be interested in until a few years back. Not sure why because I've always loved nature and colour especially. Just never imagined it could offer such mental escape and peace, it's so good for my mental health. Maybe one of the problems many of us have is the pace and demands of modern life and lack of connection to nature and that's why it is so nourishing, to plant something and watch it grow and care for it. As well as all of the colours. Idk. In winter I hide indoors and hibernate but in summer sunshine the only place I really want to be is in the garden.

Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 01:18

As usual I cannot sleep. 🙄 So in case it may at least cheer anybody up in the morning...

Some photos for any peony lovers. This year so many shoots are coming up now, I am excited!

Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 01:20

Some of my roses, but not the best photos. Will try harder this year!

Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 01:26

And of course, a few more obligatory tulips.

I will try to sleep now. Torture, as always. Hope the quietness of the thread means everyone else is doing better with that rather than them being sick of my flower spam! And that it actually cheers some people up to look at them.

Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 01:29

Spammy hydrangeas.

Not remotely obsessive. Totally normal. Just pretend to be NT and all will be ok.

Yes, I will go away now. 🤣🤣

Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Jadedbuthappy82 · 03/04/2023 01:30

Have a look on the centre of excellence website, there are lots of interesting courses in a huge variety of topics and they are 100% online. At the moment, because today is national autism awareness day, you can sign up for lots of ASD/ADHD courses for £24 instead of £129 and you can take as long as you need plus they courses are 100% online in your own time at your own pace.

Learning curve are also excellent. They are proper cache level 2 accredited courses and you can apply to them for fully government funded place which allows you to complete seven of their courses free of charge every year. I have done three so far and you receive a certificate as proof of your achievement. They do have deadlines for each part of the course but will give an extension if needed. Also 100% online and if you struggle you can just email your tutor, they're really helpful and their student support online/email help is also excellent.

Best of luck with whatever course you choose x

Furries · 03/04/2023 01:49

@Nepmarthiturn - just wanted to say, all of your flowers are beautiful. I’ve always seemed to have a deathwish with dahlias so am very jealous of yours. I’ve only planted a few tulip bulbs, but love seeing them reappear each year. As said earlier, the roses are my favourites.

Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?
Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 02:02

@Furries thank you so much for these photos!! Beautiful. I need to hit you up for tips on how to care for my roses better: yours are absolutely stunning!!🌹🌹

Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 02:07

The dahlias and I have a love/hate relationship! They are hard work 🙄 and my rule on that in life with people or plants is usually a flat "no". But the buggers are so pretty they get away with it. 😡 I must be very shallow when it comes to plants. Putting all this copper mesh and shells around them to keep slugs off, spraying them with garlic etc. It certainly leads to resentment in the relationship. Until they start to bloom, then I forgive again.

What a mug. 😆

Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 02:09

Also love your peonies. Are they Sarah Bernhardt?

And what is the orange tulip?! Need this. 🫣🤣

Furries · 03/04/2023 02:11

@Nepmarthiturn - thank you, I love them. If I can do it, anyone can - I’m capable of killing an artificial plant 🤣. In the next day or so, I’ll stick a thread on the gardening board and will tag you in it, save more space here for ideas for the OP.

Don’t hold me to timings, I am often time-blind!

Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 02:13

Ballerina? The tulip I mean. 😆😆 Aaargh, what is wrong with me, that I cannot ever switch off washing machine brain and sleep.

Oh yeah, I remember now, which thread we are on.

Somebody please block Farmer Gracy and David Austen, I'm faltering on the self-imposed ban.

Nepmarthiturn · 03/04/2023 02:16

Furries · 03/04/2023 02:11

@Nepmarthiturn - thank you, I love them. If I can do it, anyone can - I’m capable of killing an artificial plant 🤣. In the next day or so, I’ll stick a thread on the gardening board and will tag you in it, save more space here for ideas for the OP.

Don’t hold me to timings, I am often time-blind!

Oh yes please do!! That would be brilliant. I have been tempted to get more roses but don't think I'm very good at looking after them. Some got leaf spot. 😩 Tried to treat it with limited success. Will definitely follow your thread, please do tag me! But yes also sorry OP for getting a little carried away with my flower spam here. 🫣🫣