Living in the CA house has been an experience I don’t want to forget. While some might wonder what goes on behind closed doors it was nothing out of the ordinary. People learn to cook balanced meals, shop for themselves, and figure out how to balance everyday things. Adulting is a difficult string of tasks for many people overall. Juggling multiple hats can exhaust anyone including neurodivergent people. It was a struggle finding something that would give me the independence that my family had wanted for me for years. I have mentioned that in a few of my earlier blog posts.

There are moments where I feel completely overwhelmed and even so, there’s moments where I can have my space away from people. The safety of one’s room or going on a walk to get some fresh air is a comfort for those of whom prefer their solidarity. Moving from the suburbs to a more vibrant cityscape has been much of a relief. As someone who cannot drive, I find the city to be a reprieve as I continue to learn how to navigate the surrounding areas.

Living in the house was as normal as living with a surrogate family. It continues to be the best energy I have had in my life. The people I have lived with have made being on my own the best part of a decade in my life in terms of gaining independence. I have learned in strides what it means to be independent and how to sustain healthy relationships.

All in all, the past decade at the CA house has been the best time of my life so far. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs in that house that I will never forget. The time that I have spent there has been a light in an otherwise dark tunnel that helped me find myself and gain independence.