iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

So deeply honored to have my @electricliterature.com essay featured by @longreads.com, and at the start of #autismawarenessmonth too! I've been so moved by all the responses to this essay. Thank you for making space me. As I say in the essay, thank you for "crossing the distance" to meet me as I am.

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Reposted by Bathrobe Gal

Sarah Jane Cody is semi here @sarahjanecody.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Eeeie! So honored to have my @electricliterature.com essay shared by @longreads.com, a publication I adore! Thank you!! 💖 I've been so moved by the responses to this essay. ❤️💗

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Thank you so much for reading and for the kind words! 🥰

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

I wrote an essay folks. It was so hard to write this, but I hope it helps others. #autistic 💖❤️

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Hi pals. I've realized I can't handle being on multiple platforms, so I'll only be posting on my Instagram and website from now on. I wish I were able to handle more because I love connecting when I'm able, but I have to work with brain. I'll see you around ❤️

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Aw, thank you so much for this shoutout! I love @thedailytism.com 💖 That would be dreamy. Love to you ❤️

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Stores are hell, but I love pretty dresses. And cake. Mom was always my protector/ally/warrior:

Comic Titled: “Mom & Me Preparing for Back-to-School Shopping” Graphic: Mom holds up two metal shields; handing one to bathrobe gal, she says, “Arm yourself, Bathrobe Gal! We’re going to the mall!”Graphic: Bathrobe Gal, raising a sword, replies, “Okay!”

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Are your clothes also special? Is it hard for you to find textures, colors, or a fit that is comfortable for you?

Graphic Titled “When My Clothes Wear Out”: Bathrobe Gal kneels surrounded by candles and clutches a pink dress, saying “Dearly Beloved, for these past 10 years you have been my loyal companion, protected me against the elements…and other humans, comforted me, held me, been…a…true..friend…”

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

It can be so frustrating to shut down, but then, my body and my unconscious know things I don’t about my needs. ❤️

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Our world vastly undervalues quiet. My need for quiet and periods of non-doing has always existed, since I was little; back then, I knew this need innately and understood its value innately. But the human world bombards us with constant noise, information, and activity...

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

When something bad happens and someone says, "It's okay." / When someone says it's okay and it's NOT okay. That's just confusing! Instead, ppl please try saying what you actually mean :) #autistic

Graphic: Bathrobe Gal frowns holding a pan of burned food, “saying Oh no! I wrecked dinner! It's completely burned." Sweet Guy tries to comfort her: "Oh, sweetheart, it's okay."

Graphic: Bathrobe Gal is weeping, saying, “Actually, the dinner is inedible. I wasted all that food. Now we don’t have anything to eat. I don’t see how it can be okay.”

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

❤️ Big bag crew! I like it :)

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Aww, thanks friend! ❤️ I'd take the wings hehe

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

I’ve missed a lot of social cues along the way. This is one of those moments you look back on with understanding 1/7 #autistic

“In high school, I felt the need to carry all of my text books with me all day. I think it gave me a sense of security.” Graphic: Bathrobe Gal is weighted down by her huge backpack.

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

💖❤️❤️ It used to be so hard for me to talk about things. It still can be. Thank you for making space for me and for sharing yourselves with me. Love. #autistic

Reasons IT CAN Be Hard to talk about MY Pain & Difficulties
-I learned to hide my perceived weaknesses to stay safe & get by in an often hostile society
-I fear I’ll hurt people I love by burdening them
- Fear that the pain/struggle will become overbearing & I won’t be able to manage anymore if I
acknowledge it fully
-Fear that other people will devalue my existence as lesser
-Fear of being misunderstood
-I feel the need to be a light

REALITIES OF TALKING
ABOUT MY PAIN & DIFFICULTIES
- I can help others

- It can allow me to connect more deeply with others, deepening relationships

- It can help me feel less alone, even if it can also sometimes feel paradoxically lonely to share

- There are times I am misunderstood or rejected

- I can focus on the people who do try to
understand and make space for me. Those are my people.
- I don’t have to share everything to be honest or feel seen. I don’t have to articulate everything
perfectly.
- It’s often worth it to take the risk
when I’m safe and able to

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

I hear you! I keep reusable bags in the car but then I tell myself I'm only getting one thing haha :)

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Aw, yay, solidarity for bag-less (& unexpected) shopping!! 💖 🥰

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Reasons stores are overwhelming: - navigating people - confusing social interactions - loud (esp the music - why is there store music?!) - bright & visually overstimulating - so. much. stuff. = so much to process! - &&&&&&&& (etc.)

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

A funny thing that happened on a rare occasion when I made myself go to the store (instead of ordering grocery delivery). #autistic

Graphic: Bathrobe Gal stands holding a bunch of Bananas, her eyes going wide as she notices a display full of large, round objects with bright purple question marks on them. Text reads: "I ran out of bananas, which meant I had to go to the store. Just bananas - nothing else! I could do this. But then something caught my eye..."

Text: "The next thing I knew, I was growling aloud at a box of seltzers, because the flavor I like was at the bottom..." Graphic: Bathrobe Gal crouches close to the floor, her arms full of groceries, as she attempts to dislodge a box of seltzer at the bottom of the stack. "Grarrrr," she says. A smiling woman approaches, saying "Need help?"

Graphic: The smiling woman hands Bathrobe Gal the box of seltzer labeled "Yum". "Thanks," says Bathrobe Gal. The smiling woman says "You've got muscles, but that's a rough way to go. No cart." Bathrobe Gal, noticing a huge muscle on her own arm, says, "Woah I have muscles? Probably because I do stuff like this."

Graphic: Bathrobe Gal is at the grocery checkout attempting to load too many grocery items in her arms. The checkout woman tries to stop her, saying: "You want a bag right?" Bathrobe gal, sweating, says, "Nah. I really just came here for bananas."

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Being aware of my sensory profile helps me understand, regulate, and be prepared for the ways the elements of the world can affect me. :) #autism

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

My sensory profile: (I couldn't include everything, but I highly recommend taking the time to do a sensory profile on yourself or just keep a list of traits you add to when you notice them being activated.)

A diagram of Bathrobe Gal with arrows pointing to various parts of her body, indicating senses with labels: "Holds breath or covers face near bad smells." "Chews" "Touch: Sensory-seeking" "Covered in band-aids as a kid - invisible owies" "Appears shy and quiet" "tries to hold everything in" "Sound can feel harmful or painful" "Craves squeezing pressure - sash, blankets, belts" "Often lifts onto toes when happy"

A diagram of Bathrobe Gal with arrows pointing to various parts of her body, indicating senses with labels: "Emotions are highly physical + lack of recognition = alexithymia" "interoception difficulties" "Dislikes sitting/standing still - bounces, sways, etc" "Comorbid GI Issues, Nausea, & Chronic Pain" "Synastehsia" "Chronic Fatigue, Dizziness" "Visual Overstimulation"

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

That makes sense - I think for me it's partly info overload but also partly an extension of social stuff being difficult - both something I want but also something that can be a lot! <3 On Instagram, I just follow accounts that are still mostly photos or art :)

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Does anyone else really struggle with the constant info-stream of social media, even if you want to connect with our community here? My mind needs lots of singular focus and quiet. Instagram is easier for me because it's mostly art/pictures. (I don't really do videos - too stimulating!) #autism

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Things I wish someone had said to me at particular points in my life––so I'm saying them for anyone who needs them. 💖 #autistic #neurodivergent

Graphic of Bathrobe Gal holding a giant heart. Text: "Your feelings are valid. Your experiences are valid. Your needs are valid. Your struggles are valid."

Graphic of Bathrobe Gal turning toward the light and ignoring an angry person who stands yelling in the shadows. B Gal's arms are full of flowers. Text: "Only you know what it feels like to be experiencing the world as you, inside YOUR self. So don't let other people try to tell you who THEY think you are or should be."

Graphic of Bathrobe Gal sitting amid giant flowers and hugging a cute dog, wearing her noise-blocking headphones and looking safe. Text: "You deserve love and care and a world where you are safe. So let's create one together."

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

All the medical stuff I can never solve and that insurance won't cover... #chronicpain (That's the whole post.)

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Instead of wasting money trying to prevent us from existing, our government should be spending money solving the lack of adequate support for autistic people and their families at all levels of need, especially the most vulnerable, and increasing public acceptance and education. #autism

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Thanks to @nytopinion.nytimes.com for including my voice and combating RFK's dangerous claims: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/o... #autism #neurodivergence

Bathrobe Gal is quoted in the New York Times (as Sarah Jane Cody, her real name): “Mr. Kennedy is wrong. Autism doesn’t need a cure. Society does. Instead of seeing us as problems, society must embrace and support autistic people,” @sarahjanecody writes in a letter to The Times.

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Do you also have secret strengths or even strengths others might consider weaknesses? What if we reframed the idea of what it means to be "strong"?

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Some of my secret strengths: crying easily, feeling even the little things (which means the exquisitely beautiful little things too), feeling deeply saddened by the wrongs of our world and being justly moved by that, feeling great compassion...

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Note: it should be evident that adults are not merely a resource either. (Directly responding to RFK's heartless assertion that children are "our greatest resource".)

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Much to say, but for now, here’s something I made a while ago that felt hopeful and still does––despite. Let’s never stop fighting for a better world. #autism

All my life, people told me I was too sensitive and wrong in an attempt to change me. I tried so hard to follow their rules and fix myself to live up to their ideas of good and strong. It didn't work...

When I was finally able to embrace my sensitivities, differences, and needs instead, I ended up becoming a whole lot stronger. Some people still might not think so. But...

I think maybe they've just never seen strength like mine.

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Autistic humans deserve to be valued, supported, and deemed worthy for being who we are, as we are, at all levels of need. Despite what RFK wants you to believe, human value is not based on “functionality;” children are not merely a “resource” to feed the economic machine. #autism #neurodivergence

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Bathrobe Gal @bathrobegal.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

I say "sometimes", but actually this happens a lot. Ever wish eating was unnecessary and you could just eat occasionally for fun?

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