How I got here…

Welcome! I’m Cliff, and you’ve found the hub for all my musical and literary pursuits—writing, poetry, songwriting, open mic performances, and everything else related to music and words. If you’re wondering whether I’m the G. Clifford Williams who’s into tech—yes, that’s me. No, I will not fix your computer.

Based in Northern Illinois, I also call Michigan and Wisconsin home. You’ll often find me performing at open mic nights across Madison, Milwaukee, Burlington, Crystal Lake, and beyond.

I am autistic, but that’s just the beginning of my story. I also live with obsessive-compulsive tendencies and ADHD, creating a unique blend of challenges and strengths that shape my experiences every day. While I officially received my autism diagnosis in April 2024, I had self-identified as neurodivergent as early as 2018. At the time, I understood I was autistic, but I didn’t fully grasp the profound impact it had on my interpersonal interactions and relationships.

It wasn’t until the heartbreak of a deeply damaging breakup with a psychologically abusive partner that I fully grasped the extent of my differences. This person displayed behaviors often associated with untreated borderline personality disorder, leaving me emotionally shattered in ways I hadn’t anticipated. In the aftermath, I spiraled into a PTS-induced Dissociative Fugue state that persisted for weeks, compounded by complete nervous system dysregulation and a severe autistic meltdown. Throughout the relationship, my attempts to self-regulate and communicate were frequently misunderstood—or, at times, deliberately twisted—leaving me feeling isolated, exposed, and profoundly unsafe.

This partner weaponized deeply personal information I had shared about therapy with my mother, where I was navigating complex issues of boundaries, respect, and enmeshment. What ensued was a manipulative cycle of devaluation that left profound and enduring scars. The experience echoed what some refer to as BPD Splitting, but for me, it marked a harrowing chapter of emotional and psychological turmoil.

Though recovery has been a slow and complex journey, after two years, I’ve made significant strides toward healing. These challenges have taught me resilience and reinforced the importance of prioritizing my mental health and boundaries. My story is a testament to the strength it takes to rebuild after trauma and to embrace the fullness of who I am.