Merriam Webster dictionary defines hope as "desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment". Pre-identification, many of my hopes were made more uncertain by my uncertainty in myself. For example, if I had an exam, I couldn't know if I'd be able to study or what state I'd be in on exam day.  I still hoped to pass, but the "expectation of or belief in fulfillment" part  seemed to be based on factors outside my control. That made hope a little painful at times, more like apprehension at what might happen than hope for an expected outcome.

Hope has become easier now that I know I am autistic. Factors related to my autistic traits, like executive function struggles, are more predictable and able to be worked around, encouraging my "belief in fulfillment". I'm also more aware of what hopes are realistic or unrealistic for me given who I am. It's a new thing for me to explore the idea of hope as a positive emotion, and I am finding some strength in it.

Share questions:

• What, to you, is hope? 
• Do you feel hope? What is it like?
• What has been your history with hope pre- and post-identification? 
• What is hope's relationship to your sense of self? Self-esteem? 
• What benefits might hope have in our daily lives? Drawbacks? 
• Do you consider yourself a hopeful person? 
• What are you hopeful about these days? 
• Any tools, resources, or strategies that helped you? 
• Anything else to add?