Actually Asten

Sighs The first post is always the hardest…

Anyway! I’m Asten (she/her) and this is my little corner of the internet. One of them, anyway — I’ll explain more about that in a moment.

I live in the UK, I’m in my thirties (how did that happen?), and I’m autistic. Diagnosed at age four, told at nine — and yes, that’s a whole other post because there’s a lot to unpack there.

I’m a writer, a part-time wheelchair user, and a full-time chaos navigator. I also have a long-standing love affair with all things nostalgic. Think: Top of the Pops, Smash Hits, glitter pens, Barbie Dreamhouse, cheesy theme tunes, and the kind of adverts you forgot existed until they hit you like a Capri-Sun to the face. (Yes, I have a whole blog dedicated to that called Asten Does Nostalgia, so expect crossover chaos.)

I’m also engaged to my real-life superhero, Myron (he’ll love that I called him that). We’re getting married in 2029. And yes — we know it’s a long wait, but we’re taking our time and doing things our way. We’re also proudly childfree (no nappies, no 3am wake-ups, and no one sticking raisins in the DVD player, thanks). That topic deserves its own post too — it’s coming.

So… what is this blog?

Actually Asten is the place where I just get to be… me. Unfiltered, reflective, sometimes chaotic, sometimes calm. It’s where I’ll share my day-to-day life — the big wins, the tiny victories, the meltdowns, the deep thoughts I have at 2am, and the odd rant about why Primark is a sensory nightmare.

You’ll find updates on:

• My Project Glow Up journey (health, self-love, comfy clothes, and everything in between)
• Autistic life and spoonie survival
• Wedding planning adventures (no bridesmaids, all vibes)
• My ongoing war with my phone habits and doomscrolling
• Daily reflections, nostalgia bombs, and Daisy’s Corner — yes, I have a fictional chaos gremlin alter ego who sometimes takes over. You’ll love her. Or be mildly terrified.

Basically? This is a safe space for being neurodivergent, nostalgic, and just trying to figure life out one sparkly step at a time.

If you’re still reading — hi, thank you, and welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s see where this takes us. 💖