Hannah's blog

I have yet to write a post this year, and it's almost March! I think it would be a good time to put out my goals of this year, and with my birthday in a week, I figured this would be a good time to do it! Goals of 2020 (but in no means in order, and I will be ok if it doesn't happen this year. I am putting it out in the world so it CAN happen!) SAVE MONEY! travel to a place I have been (affordable). Write in this blog MORE. I need to get my experiences out there. GET HEALTHIER THROUGH DIET. Join my journey as I hope to write and document it. Set up an Avon get together, and hopefully make that part successful. Sign up for Dog grooming seminars. GO BACK TO SCHOOL. Relearn an instrument.  Will this all happen this year? Maybe not, but one little baby step at a time, and I am sure I will get there!  xoxo, Hannah's Blog

Yep. That's right. I am an autistic dog groomer! I was diagnosed at a fairly young age, and was determined to become a veterinarian. I have loved, and will probably always love MOST animals. (I am terrified of most snakes, and most rodents. Don't know why...) I am not on the path to be a veterinarian anymore, but I have been grooming dogs for a while now, and wanted to share some  perspective that I gained this past month that that made it kind of difficult for an aspie like me, and how I have realized that I NEED TO ASK FOR HELP. (us aspies are stubborn, am I right?) Over the past few years, I have been in the "corporate" world of grooming salons, but I also have experience in the small shops as well. However, with how things work, I need to be in the "corporate" side, and let me tell you. It is HARD. It is far more customer service based on my end than it would be, say, at a small shop where you have receptionists. As someone who has such bad anxiety and...

I realize it has been a while since I've really written something substantial on my blog, so here goes it. I have had some personal struggles that I have had a hard time with. My main struggle has and will probably always be with my social interaction at work, at home, at really anything. My eye contact is not great, the things I say may not be the best in every situation, and generally talking to people is not a strong suit for me. I currently work for a large corporation where I groom dogs as a full time stylist. I honestly love it. Really, I do. Although it is mandatory to talk to people, answer phones, try to finish dogs on time, and so much more, I have gratitude for working for them. Without them, I would not have the experience, the team, and most importantly, for me, I have insurance. That, to me, is important because I am getting the help I so desperately I have needed the last six months of my life. I am in Neuro feedback, which I'll write a separate post about ...

I sat down today after my vacation to read an article about employment, and it caught my attention immediately! I read it over at 'The Mighty' website, and I linked it right here for you guys to read if you want:  https://themighty.com/2017/09/tips-for-hiring-an-employee-with-autism/ What got to me in the article is that less than a third of people who have Asperger's are employed. That does not surprise me because it took me forever to find a job. When I did get my first job, I had a very difficult time, and in fact still, do struggle at my current job. It is difficult because of the smells, the noise, and the constant talking to people that really drain me. I am very sensitive to lights, smells, people and noises, and grooming dogs is probably not the best environment for someone with Asperger's. Could I be in a better grooming environment with my diagnosis? I am sure, but I have yet to find one. One thing I feel like that could have helped me from the very be...

Alright, you guys. I am going to get REAL with you guys on this post.  I was sitting down today, my day off, and looking around me thinking, "man, as a 26-year-old woman, I am seeing people much younger than me living such independent lives compared to me." It hit me, we are all on different life paths, with different problems, and different situations. I personally have not really "experienced" life on my own. I have lived with family members all my life and would LOVE to be on my own. I have worked, done some college, traveled, and a few other things while I am at home or with family. I have done things to try to improve my personal situation, but I have my reasons, and I want to share my reasons for living at home up to this point. I was diagnosed very young, about 8 years old, maybe nine, with Aspergers. Although I am considered high functioning, I have my had my fair share of difficulties associated with it. When I tell people that I am an Aspie, I usually ...

Relaxing is absolutely necessary for the dog grooming profession. As I have said in previous posts, it is an extremely demanding job physically and emotionally not just for me, but for everyone in this line of work. As someone who has a diagnosis of ASD (autism spectrum disorder), it takes more of a toll on me mentally and emotionally than physically. Calming down and relaxing is essential for my health.  How do you relax after a hard day at work? Everyone is different, but these are the things I enjoy doing in my down time! I love going to the dog park with my pups. I love seeing them run around and have all the space to roam around without worrying about them running away. finding treasures. big tree little dogs big tree little dogs I love hiking! In fact, this past week, I got to go on a two-mile hike near my house. It was extremely peaceful and got some beautiful pictures to show how beautiful it was.  Autumn is coming. hard to see, thoug...

In the world we live in now, it is filled with people who are looking for immediate gratification, self-centered humans, and people who throw tantrums over the silliest things. The tantrums, the yelling, the rude, belittling, and condescending comments are doing worse for the world and the people around us than you, as a customer think. Why you ask? Because you, the customer, do NOT know what others are going through just like I do NOT know what you are going through. I am in NO way perfect when it comes to being nice ALL the time, however, I try my hardest every day to be nice because I know that what someone is going through just might be a lot worse than I can comprehend.  As a dog groomer, I appreciate every single nice person. Since I have become a groomer, I have realized that it is SUCH a hard job to do. For a lot (obviously not all) of pet groomers, it is the stress of doing so many dogs, meeting quota/ a bottom line. For me, the stress of grooming are the cust...