It's been a while since I've posted. An update.
I did my Kilimanjaro trip six weeks ago and despite a fall and a knackered tendon, it was a massive lift.
I'd been invited to do a talk on mental health. I'm looking forward to it.
But literally two hours after a practice presentation run with my line manager, she contacted me again to say I was to be moved to a different part of the business.
It took a bit to sink in, but if you've mild Autism then change imposed upon you is not easy to take. I initially blamed myself, thinking I'd done something wrong.
My line manager is known as a stickler for the rules. But it was her two days later who talked to me and said not to take it personally. For the first time ever, I reached out and held her hand. The reason was simple in that she herself was being moved to a different part of the business to me. She was able to empathise - big deal to an Autist. I'm to be reassigned a new line manager. The mental health first aider also instilled the belief in me I was able to cope with the change.
However, I already know a couple of people on the new team. The person I know the best has sought to reassure me as has also the mental health first aider. Another member of the new team is also neurodiverse.
I've made a point of pissing off on my own the last two days to compute and find some mindfulness moments. Today I succeeded. It felt good.
There is an advantage in that it might make my return to a disability readjustment team easier. I feel that to my true home.
But I admit the change is still unnerving and I'll be glad when it's over.
There's an outside chance the move might be cancelled as another team member who has been told he's staying wants to move. But I think the move is a done deal.
It would be easier if I knew who my new manager was as soon as possible, so I could settle in more easily.
The irony is I nearly joined the new team voluntarily 8 months ago. That said, we all still book the same desks so I'd still see my old friends.
But I've made a point of introducing myself to the new team.