Something I rarely talk about publically, for it is a vulnerable to do so:
I am (most likely, but undiagnosed) on the autistic spectrum. There are many aspects to it, wonderful and difficult ones alike, and I won't cover it all in a single post.

One of the many forms it can take is when I sign "hug" in German sign language, which, by now, I do for various reasons -
I do it when I become non-verbal (nearing a shutdown) and could need some hugs,
when I want to express the sentiment of a hug but am too sensory senstive to engage in one,
in video chats as substitute of in person hugs,
or simply as a stim of warm joy.

a huge thanks for this lovely drawing to  akinyi - someone I feel very much feel comfortable entrusting such a personal side of myself