A Metaphor in Snowflakes - Life's Unique Paths with Autism

What if each of us, like snowflakes, takes a distinct journey, shaped by our experiences and challenges?

Join me, as I explore this metaphor, 'Like snowflakes each of us takes a unique journey, shaped by the experiences and challenges that make us beautifully one of a kind'. This was inspired by the recent snowfall, which led me to reflect on the parallels between these natural wonders, and our own life paths.
 
As we step into a new year, I share my personal journey of growth, particularly around overcoming language challenges, and how these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today. This episode offers a moment of introspection and connection, encouraging listeners to appreciate the beauty and diversity in their own stories.

Reflecting on my journey as an autistic individual, I've found new ways to express myself through the fascinating world of figurative language. From my struggles with language growing up, to my growth and newfound appreciation for metaphors, this episode, I believe, captures the essence of my evolution. 

As I recount the unique paths each snowflake takes, I invite listeners to consider lessons learned from their own experiences, and how they contribute to their ever-evolving selves. Embrace the uniqueness and celebrate the extraordinary individuals we are all becoming.

Thanks for listening. You can find me on my website stephensevolution.com, or on twitter here. You can sign up to receive news of new episodes when they're released here.


Artwork produced by Elena Designe
Music composed by Nela Ruiz

Transcript

Stephen McHugh: 0:22

Hi again and welcome back to the Stephen's Evolution podcast. I'm Stephen McHugh and I've already shared many episodes over the past two years about my lived experiences as an autistic individual. It has been in recent times when I've decided to take this podcast in a new direction. It is to do with exploring my experiences through figurative language, including metaphors. Language is something that has always been of great importance to me. Looking back to when I was young and growing up, I had faced many challenges with language, including taking literal views of it. However, over the years, and with hard work and varying degrees of support, I've seen an improvement in it. Now I'm excited to use those skills to express myself in new ways, and continue growing as a person. In the process, I've also discovered how fascinating language can be, especially in the variety of ways it can be used, including how it allows us to communicate and connect with other people.

Stephen McHugh: 1:59

This episode's idea came to me during the recent snowy weather in my region, at the time of recording this. With a new year beginning, 2025, I reflected on the snow and, at the same time, the snowflakes, their uniqueness and the way each one follows its own unique path in the sky, forming intricate, one-of-a-kind shapes. This led me to a metaphor that I feel is especially meaningful here. It is 'Like snowflakes each of us takes a unique journey, shaped by the experiences and challenges that make us beautifully one of a kind'. At this time of year, when many of us might be reflecting on where we've been and where we may be going, I think this metaphor can be a perfect starting point here. The way I look and think about snowflakes are that they are one of nature's most fascinating creations. They begin as tiny water droplets freezing onto microscopic dust particles floating in the air, and from there, what I think happens is, they grow and form intricate hexagonal patterns. This, I believe, is the result of water molecules aligning themselves in the most efficient way possible.

Stephen McHugh: 3:51

What I find truly amazing here is that no two snowflakes are exactly alike. Each one forms under slightly different conditions, depending on the temperature, humidity, the movement of air, and the path it may take. These all influence its final shape. With an infinite number of ways this process can unfold, and the countless possible paths that they can take as they drift to the ground, each and every snowflake will become a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. For me, that's such a powerful reminder of the uniqueness in all of us. Much like snowflakes, we're shaped by the situations we face in our daily lives and the journeys we undertake.

Stephen McHugh: 4:51

Reflecting on this idea recently, as I watched snow falling outside in the days that followed, I found myself thinking about my own path and reflecting on it. Over the years, I faced challenges of my own that sometimes could be compared to being in harsh winds or icy and treacherous conditions, moments where it's very hard to keep going. But those challenges didn't just test me. They helped me to grow. Looking back, they became part of what makes me who I am today. Just as each and every snowflake's journey through the air helps to determine its final intricate and wonderful and unique design, what stands out here to me is that, no matter how different our paths may be, each one is very valuable. All the twists, the turns, the unpredictable moments. They are what shape us into who we are. Just like snowflakes get their own unique shapes, and just as nature creates these incredible unique forms with snow, it helps to create the wonderful diversity we see in people.

Stephen McHugh: 6:27

When I think about it now, this reflection has been especially meaningful to me as I think about the new year. It can be a time when many of us naturally look back at where we've been and what's to come. I've been reflecting on my own journey as a whole, the challenges I've faced, the lessons I've learned, what I've learned about myself and how all the experiences together have helped me to grow even more. I think about how each of us, in our own ways, are navigating unique paths, constantly evolving into something extraordinary. Looking back on my own personal journey, there is one thing that stands out in particular. It is how much my language skills have improved over time. Language, growing up for me was a significant challenge. It often felt like I was trying to navigate an unfamiliar world without a map. But over time and with effort and support, I've come a long way since those days. Now I believe I'm at a point where I can use my understanding of language and my personal experiences to try and help others, especially those who might be finding themselves on similar paths.

Stephen McHugh: 8:08

There is one way I do this. It is through short idiom stories in a blog post of mine. In the stories, there are autistic characters who are guided into understanding and connecting with the world around them. These stories, for me, are a way to bring abstract ideas to life, showing how figurative language can be both a tool for expression and bridge for connection. By reflecting on these efforts, what I've come to realise is how much moments like these have shaped my own journey. It is here where I've put my improved language skills to the test. It's helped me to see that I've got some creativity in me, and to put my creative mind to use. That's the opportunity I've been afforded here. In a way, it reminds me of snowflakes. The way each one begins as a tiny droplet taking its own unique path through the sky, shaped by the atmospheric conditions it may encounter, just as those moments of formation and change create the intricate beauty of a snowflake. My experiences here have been an important part in shaping me into who and what I am today. One way this has helped me is in terms of building resilience. The way I look at it, resilience isn't something that comes all at once. It can be something we develop over time through challenges we face, and the growth that comes with facing such challenges.

Stephen McHugh: 10:09

Each time I faced a situation that may have seemed overwhelming to me, it's been an opportunity to build more confidence. For example, when I first started learning skills for tasks linked to being able to live more independently, it seemed daunting. Something as simple as cooking a meal would feel like I would be climbing a mountain, and I wasn't sure I would be able to climb it. However, I started off small with basic recipes, including scrambled egg. From there, I'd gradually work my way up to preparing a variety of meals, including shepherd's pie and fish pie, each with its own challenges and rewards. It wasn't just about the cooking itself. The way I look at it was, it was about proving to myself that I could learn, adapt and succeed. The same was true for another important skill. This was to do with washing clothes. At first it felt rather complicated. There seemed so many steps involved, but with patience and practice, I was able to master it and carry it out satisfactorily. Each success, no matter how small it seemed to others, would become a stepping stone, helping me to build more confidence in my abilities and showing me that I could take on new challenges.

Stephen McHugh: 11:58

It is by reflecting on moments like these that I've come to appreciate how much they've contributed to my growth. What they've taught me is not only practical skills, but also the importance of perseverance and self-belief. Much like a snowflake's journey where every twist and turn shapes its unique, intricate design. Each experience has added further to who I am today, and as I look ahead, what I'm reminded of is, these individual moments of growth are what help to create the resilience and confidence we may need to keep moving forward. It's a process, and one that I'm still on, but one that I've come to value very deeply.

Stephen McHugh: 13:07

As I look further ahead into the new year, I can't help but think about snowflakes again. They're unique and unpredictable paths, just like ours. Each one will undertake a unique journey, shaped by the conditions it encounters, and the twists and turns it faces. They have journeys that create their intricate shapes, turning each one into something beautiful and entirely one of a kind. When I think about it now, our lives are much the same. We don't always know where we're headed, and sometimes the path ahead may feel unclear. But with every twist, every unexpected moment will add to the wonder of who and what we are, even if we don't realise it straight away.

Stephen McHugh: 14:03

For me, the way I look at this new year, it is a chance for me to continue embracing my individuality, and trusting the journey that lies ahead. The path I'm on now feels both exciting and meaningful, this new exploration of life through words, phrases and stories. What I want to do here is, keep using my experiences to share growth and understanding, to show how challenges may lead to strength, and to inspire hope for those who might be on similar journeys of their own. This year, what I'm looking forward to is, creating more opportunities for connection, be it through these metaphors, the idiom stories I've been writing, or simply sharing personal reflections like these. Each step can be a way to not only express myself, but also offer something to others, to let them know that they're not alone in their growth. I don't know exactly where this path will take me, but what I've learned to do is to trust that the journey itself will lead to something worthwhile. This reminds me of my underlying improvement, inspiring hope in others around me that things will eventually work out satisfactorily. Like a snowflake drifting through the air, the uncertainty is part of what makes it wonderful.

Stephen McHugh: 15:58

So, as the year continues to unfold, what I encourage you to do is, think about your own unique journeys, embrace their uniqueness, trust in all the twists and turns that may come about, and know that each and every experience will shape you in ways that will matter. In my case, it was my underlying improvements in language. Here's to a year of growth, discovery and embracing who we are, one step at a time, step at a time.

Stephen McHugh: 16:43

Before I wrap up this episode, what I want to do is take a moment to encourage you to reflect on your own journey. Think about the experiences that have helped to shape you, the challenges you've faced, the growth you've achieved and lessons you've learned along the way. Each of those moments has contributed to who you are today, and that's something I think is worth appreciating.

Stephen McHugh: 17:12

Much like snowflakes, your path is yours and yours only. Nobody else has lived your exact experiences, faced the same twists and turns, or grown in the same way. That's what makes each and every one of us so unique. It reminds me of how special such journeys can be, no matter where we may find ourselves on them right now. As time goes on, I hope you'll carry that thought with you. Each day can be an opportunity, a chance for new hope, new growth and new discoveries, even when the way ahead feels uncertain. Remember that each step you take, no matter how small, will add to the story of who and what you are. So just take pride in your own path and trust in its twists and turns, embrace your individuality, celebrate your progress, and look forward to the opportunities this year ahead will bring for you. After all, just like snowflakes, it's the uniqueness of your journey that stands out and makes it truly remarkable.

Stephen McHugh: 18:49

And so, to wrap up, the next time you see snow and snowflakes, just take a moment to pause and let the scene remind you of your own journeys. Each flake, like each of us, will follow a path full of twists, turns and unexpected moments, and, just like the snowflakes, our journeys are filled with wonder and inspiration. All of this adds to the intricate design of who and what we are. And, as the year goes on, take time to embrace your own paths and trust that every experience, no matter how small, will contribute to your growth and uniqueness.

Stephen McHugh: 19:45

Thank you for joining me for this episode, if you've chosen to do so, I hope it's given you a new way to think about your own journey. If you wish to share your experiences, I'd love to hear from you. You can text the podcast through the link in the episode description. And, to stay updated on future episodes and podcast-related news, you can visit my website, stephensevolution. com, and click on the 'Stay in the Loop' link at the footer of the homepage to fill in a form so you can receive such details. In the next episode, I'll explore another metaphor 'The cold days of winter and the sunny moments that break through, reminding us of warmth and growth on the way'. I'm excited to dive into that with you next time. Until then, take care and remember to celebrate your own unique path. Thank you.