I know exactly what you’re thinking. “Great. Another person who thinks they’re thoughts and opinions are important enough to publish on a blog.” Believe me, I get it. I’m rolling my eyes even as I write this introduction.

I feel like blogs are the female equivalent to men starting podcasts, so I’m hyperaware that I’m adding to the online noise. But, I’ve been told that I have good thoughts, decent writing skills, and a story that could help others. Granted, the person telling me that the most is my mother, but we’ll go with it.

I’m Allison, a teacher and a musician struggling to navigate this world and has a lot of thoughts that start with, “Well, if I was in charge…” I’m autistic with ADHD and anxiety, so basically, my brain is fighting itself ALL the time. I’ve been in therapy off and on since I was a sophomore in college and am always given the unspoken gold star from my therapists because they’re just so impressed with how “in tune with my emotions and mental state” I am. (Yes, Jamie, I know. That’s the problem.)

I teach elementary music, 4k-5th grade. That means that I willingly give children noise makers and try to teach them, sometimes against their will. Loop earplugs have become my best friend to fight off the sensory overload. Oh yea, I have sensory processing disorder and teach music. Make it make sense. I’m a recovering people pleaser who still says yes way too much and have on more than one occasion triple-booked myself all for the sake of, “But I don’t want them to be mad at meeeeeee.”

All in all, I’m just here, existing – trying and failing to make sense of this world, education, neurodivergence, all while keeping my head above water. This blog may very well become another ghost yard of two or three posts that I make and promptly forget about. But even if that’s all of my story that I share, at least I shared it.

If you made it this far, good for you. You probably belong here. If anything I wrote above resonates with you, then welcome to the inner-circle of chaos. If resonating with any of the above surprised you, well… enjoy the ride. Keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times.