I think I want to stop talking for a little bit, maybe a few days. Is this a bad idea? I feel like my life style can support a few days. Has anyone else tried this?
You can stop talking for as long as you like. That does not make you a non-verbal autistic and should not be described as “going non-verbal”.
A non-verbal autistic cannot talk. Important distinction.
It is akin to saying you closed your eyes for a few days to “go blind”
- but please, do you and enjoy life. Just be careful how use choose to use loaded labels
If u live with someone honestly not doable if your doing it on purpose. It would just frustrate the other person, whether or not theyre also autistic. This is simply because conflicts or important questions come up.
If your not, just consider staying home for a whole weekend or more. It is nice to have rests like this for me.
But I would seriously consider why you want to be non verbal. Its not likely to be healthy at all. I think, and im sure other people feel the same, succumbing to my desire to hide from the world would be so catastrophically unhealthy. I know this because thats what I did. I in effect was non verbal for months on end, save for my best friend in the world and cashiers I suppose. It very nearly killed me.
Has anyone else tried this?
Many have. But they usually don’t plan it out first, lol.
I became non-verbal a few months ago. It’s extremely alienating, like I thought conversation was difficult before but now it’s just assumed to be frustrating. It’s dramatically altered my employability, I don’t enjoy spending time with my friends anymore, and people on the street just assume I’m being rude to them. Even people who know can be difficult too - I had a fight with my wife about it this morning. It certainly hasn’t been good for my social anxiety.
You do you. But as someone who can’t speak: if I could speak I wouldn’t consider this for a second.
Look up vipassana. This is a Buddhist practise and offered in structured meditation retreats around the world, & where choosing not to speak is not only viewed positively, it is required by all participants, and may give you some insight into the human condition. I have always wanted to attend one but life hasn’t given me the opportunity to do so yet.
If you don’t want to speak to people you could always become a monk. Some of them live in monasteries that do not allow to speak.
I try so hard each time, but I end up just talking without realizing it. Uncontrollably. I only realize after I’ve said something.
