Bathrobe Gal
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bathrobegal.bsky.social
Bathrobe Gal
@bathrobegal.bsky.social
490 followers 430 following 220 posts
Hi, it's Bathrobe Gal! I draw comics about my adventures as an adult-diagnosed #autistic woman, writer, and chronic bathrobe-wearer. Mainly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bathrobe_gal
https://bathrobegal.com/
(My real name is Sarah Jane.)
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bathrobegal.bsky.social
Graphic: Mom and Bathrobe Gal sit in a booth eating a ginormous slice of pink cake. Bathrobe Gal’s eyes shimmer with cake love. Mom says, “That was exhausting. We earned this.”
September 8, 2025 at 12:34 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
Graphic: Mom says, “If we succeed we will reward ourselves with pretty dresses and cake. And if we can’t find any pretty dresses, just cake.” Bathrobe Gal says, “and if we fail completely, still cake!”
September 8, 2025 at 12:34 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
Graphic: Bathrobe Gal, sword raised, says: “We will brave: - Crowds - Loud store music - Overwhelming, disorganized displays - Intense perfumes - People who don’t say what they mean, or talk to us for any reason really, who don’t respect efficiency, & (horrors) walk too slow - Clothes with bad textures and fits and sizes that make no sense - And more”
September 8, 2025 at 12:33 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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!”
September 8, 2025 at 12:33 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
Sweet Husband holds up the tattered dress, having retrieved it from Bathrobe Gal's closet. He says, “I thought you got rid of this.” Looking sly, Bathrobe Gal says, “Shhh… She’s a ghost now….She doesn’t take up that much space.”
August 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
Bathrobe Gal reaches an out to Sweet Husband for help. To the dress, she whispers “I put you to rest.” To Sweet Husband, she says, “Please do it for me. It’s too painful.” Sweet Husband says, “Okay.”
August 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
Bathrobe Gal clutches the dress closer, crying. The dress is stained and tattered. She says, “We should never have had to part like this… But alas you are full of holes. And stained. And actually falling apart.”
August 27, 2025 at 12:26 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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…”
August 27, 2025 at 12:26 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
My need for quiet:

#autistic
When things get to be too much, which is often, I need quiet. Sometimes for a shorter while. Other times, for a very long while, until the too-muchness of the world that has gotten inside of me calms. When I shut down, when I go wordless, when I have to go hide for a while, it's okay. That's me healing.
August 11, 2025 at 1:32 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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.” 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.”
July 3, 2025 at 12:54 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
7/7
“Many years later, I still sometimes wonder what I look like.” Graphic: Bathrobe Gal comes across an actual pigeon and says hi.
June 16, 2025 at 3:31 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
6/7
“After, I tried to avoid bobbing my head but continued to carry all my books and wear high heels throughout high school…” Graphic: Bathrobe Gal is relieved to at home, taking off her heels and putting on her bathrobe.
June 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
5/7
I was confused. She was smiling so big! Smiling meant nice and happy. Was she being nice? Did she want me to laugh too? I knew people talking about me behind my back was considered a bad thing. But she was telling me to my face. It-Girls did not speak to me. Was she trying to help me? So I would realize I looked ridiculous & could stop? I figured a bully would want me to keep being a pigeon forever... My thoughts collided, resulting in a blank stare. It-Girl walked off, still laughing.
June 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
4/7
“She then stuck out her head to demonstrate an exaggerated, ridiculous bobbing motion as she hauled herself forward. It was clear this had been performed many times.” Graphic: It Girl demonstrates being a pigeon.
June 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
3/7
Graphic: It Girl stands laughing at Bathrobe Gal. It Gal says, “Ahahahaha, we were laughing so much, you look like a pigeon! Your head bobs when you try to pull yourself forward, your bag is so heavy! And you take tiny steps on stilt feet! It's so funny, ahahahaha!
June 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
2/7
“I was also performing my idea of the Perfect Woman based on 2000's magazines. Apparently, this made me look kind of funny…” Graphic: Bathrobe Gal wears high heels and her huge backpack. A group of girls laughs and points at her.
June 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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.
June 16, 2025 at 3:28 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
💖❤️❤️ 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
June 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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."
June 3, 2025 at 12:07 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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"
May 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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."
April 30, 2025 at 10:17 AM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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.
April 25, 2025 at 12:34 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
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.
April 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
Eating can just be so much effort!

#autistic #neurodivergent
I pick what to make to eat by considering which foods are currently NOT nauseating. I try to eat healthy to give my body the energy it needs. Sometimes, despite my effort, the food I made turns nauseating anyway. I have to force it down…and maybe cry a little. But at least I can eat some candy after. Candy is always good.
April 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
bathrobegal.bsky.social
(5/5)
Graphic: Bathrobe Gal hugs her sweater, alone, in her room. “I may not have any friends, but at least I have you, sweater. You will never let me down.”
April 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM