My shrink thinks she's found something

[TrogL]

I seem to be lacking a concept of "future". Here's a typical argument:

Ank: It would be nice to have a leather couch.
TrogL: We don't have any money. My car's busted. There's other priorities.
Ank: No, I mean down the road when everything else is paid for.
TrogL: So why are we talking about it now? We don't have any money.
Ank: 'cause this couch is wrecking my back and the stuffing is falling out. Down the road, it would be nice to have a new one.
TrogL: (screaming) We don't have any money. We can't get a new couch right now.

Is that an Aspie thing?

[JM]

1. I don't think so...

...unless I have it too. I do the same thing wheever my wife $ brings up yet another "great idea". Usually I wind up holding on to something solid whenever she says the magic words "hey! I have an idea...", then I listen, then explode.

I don't have any psych issues or other diseases, syndromes, etc. that I know of.

I think it is more an issue of being in a perpetual state of trying to keep the money in line with what you need to do to live that brings out the beast...

Later,
JM

[TrogL]

3. Tell me about it

Some days I swear I'm the only sane person the world.

Another shrink said I was the sanest person he'd ever met - which for me was going to be a problem because I wasn't dealing well with the insanity around me.

Doesn't that make me insane?

[foxy]

2. I do that too often

I mean that I say what we need way before we can afford it. It's like a wish list or something. I feel that maybe if I voice it out-loud enough that sooner or later I will get it. I just don't want anyone forgetting that it is something that I need/want really bad.
My SO just listens and says "Alright as soon as I can." And then he starts a new conversation.

It usually works--so far. Coincidence?

:shrug:

[geniph]

4. Are you able to plan for the future?

I mean, in an instance like this, are you able to agree that saving for a couch in the future might be beneficial, or is this a situation where if you cannot have it now, it's no use planning for it?

There's a difference. If you can't see beyond the present, then you will always be in a state of near-chaos. If you're able to plan for future needs, then there really isn't a problem.

[SOteric]

5. Excellent point.

The individuals in my family have always kept want/wish/dream lists. We list the things we want right now, the things we wish we could get when we can afford it and the things we dream about having one day. The lists are always in revision. They help us maintain focus on short-term and long term goals. And no one is ever completely clueless about an appropriate gift for any occasion.

I'm not even sure how I'd process life if it weren't for a clear concept of future. :shrug: