5/30/25: Introduction

 Huzzah!

It is official, In My Own Spectrum is off the ground and ready for the world to see. To be honest, I wanted to get this done earlier than when I’m writing this (you can blame procrastination for that). But I am proud of myself for actually getting up and doing this. For those who know me, you may have been in shock when you heard I was writing a blog, but it should surprise you that I am in shock too that I’m writing this. If you asked me 6 months ago that I would be kickstarting a blog, I would’ve probably laughed or been in utter confusion that I of all people would do such a thing. In my very first post I want to answer questions about In My Own Spectrum, and I will explain it with the 5 W’s. Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

Who is In My Own Spectrum? Well it’s me, Stone. Yes, that is my actual name, I’m not going under one of those names that some bloggers use to keep themselves hidden to be mysterious and cool. If I did that, it would defeat the purpose of my blog (more of that later). I just graduated from high school and have entered early adulthood. It's an exciting time for many people my age, you finally can do the things you want and go the places you want. However, I have been extremely nervous about entering the next stage of life. I am on the Autism Spectrum, so my mind works differently than most people and I do different things than most people. I have been worried thinking I won’t be able to live on my own or be able to actually be a functioning adult. I have lived for 18 years of my life with a loving family, my mom, my dad, and my little brother, who is 14 at the time of writing this. This blog isn’t about them however, it’s about me. In My Own Spectrum is me.

Now what is In My Own Spectrum? It’s a blog obviously; but what is it about? Well, it’s about me, how I’ll be entering adulthood, and that I’ll face many challenges and celebrate many victories. This blog is a place to celebrate with me, be disappointed with me, laugh with me, and cry with me. Fun fact, one of the early names for this blog was Stone’s Odyssey; until I discovered that some stone tile company on Facebook had a similar name. I feel like the original name perfectly describes what I think of this blog, it’s a journey, an epic, a story. In My Own Spectrum is a story about me.

Both the when and where are pretty easy to explain, it was probably around Christmas when I had the idea to start a blog, and something about making one just felt right; so I picked up a copy of Blog Inc. written by Joe Deangdeelert Cho at the local library and I was on my way to creating the blog. Where is In My Spectrum? Wherever I go I guess, if I’m in Columbus, or England, Egypt, outer space. That’s where it takes place.

Why does In My Own Spectrum exist is probably the most important question; and I have thought about it and I have settled on its answer. It exists because it is here for everyone. It’s here as a way to keep up with what I’m doing, it’s here for the people just like me to tell them they are not alone. I’ll put a bet that everybody will find something out of my blog, whether it is big and life-changing, or something small. If I’m wrong, the person who gets nothing out of it will have all the drinks in my mini-fridge for free. 

Here it is, In My Own Spectrum, itching for the world to read it, and I’m ready to see what is in store for me.