What's the difference between a fidget and a stim?

[PeacefulPrune]

When I do zoom calls I need to fidget with something. It's like I have some extra energy and I need to release it. I know they can't see my hands so its OK but when I'm face to face I keep very still like containing myself but then I feel a bit locked.
Does that sound like a stim?

I also like to doodle a lot and have done since I was a young child. It's the same swirly intricate patterns. Sometimes it helps me focus when I'm on the phone but sometimes it distracts me too.

Is that a stim?

Often when I'm in a social situation I'll fiddle with my earring or something. I've felt like that was more of a nervous thing though.
What's the difference between a nervous fiddle and a stim?

Thanks

As far as I'm aware, stimming is what it's called when an autistic person fidgets. I think it's also behaviour that you cannot necessarily help, as in you just do it automatically.
I sway and don't know I'm doing it, I also rub my fingers together, smell things and a few other behaviours that I just do instinctively.
I do also stim/fidget on purpose, especially with squeezy toys and visual stims, just because I like the feeling.

“Stim” is short for self-stimulating behaviour, and a fidget is exactly that.

In everyday use I think there’s a difference in perception between socially acceptable stims (eg clicking a pen) and the kind that are only seen among autistic people (eg waving fingers in front of the eyes).

I fidget/stim a lot. Tapping, twisting my hair, rocking backwards and forwards when stressed, twisting my ankles round and round. Also struggling to get comfortable in chairs so moving about a lot and putting myself in odd positions. I've always been like this - I often got told off for it as a child.