Embracing Neurodiversity: My journey to understanding & acceptance

Neurodiversity is a concept that celebrates the wide spectrum of human neurological differences, and I am proud to be a part of this diverse world. In this article, I will share my personal journey as a neurodiverse individual, shedding light on the challenges, triumphs, and the importance of self-acceptance in navigating life with a unique neurology.

Growing up, I always felt that my brain operated differently from those around me. While my friends effortlessly grasped certain concepts or social dynamics, I often found myself struggling to keep up. It wasn't until later in life that I began to understand my neurodiversity and what it truly meant.

Now, working as someone who is categorised as “neurodiverse” is something that I no longer think about each day. It doesn’t consume my thoughts every day. It doesn’t make me unlikable. It doesn't make me unemployable. Instead, it allows me to fit into this world in a bit of a different way, I fit into it my way.

Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed as neurodiverse, it was a pivotal moment in my life that allowed me to embrace my neurodiversity, it marked the end of a long and often confusing journey although a hard pill to swallow (literally😉) with some required changes to my behavior and lifestyle it hasn’t affected my life as much as I thought it would. I was worried about how people would react, how my job would allow me to be different in the workplace, about the general perception in society of what my “illness” is, amongst a few. But living with this for the last year I’ve learnt a lot and that it doesn’t have to be scary to be different.

A few months after my diagnosis, I started my role here at Three, now a year on this journey through navigating my mental health to being the best I can be at work here are a few things I’ve learned to embrace:

1. Self- Empowerment: I decided to educate myself on my diagnosis, understanding the condition, the triggers and how it affects my brain chemistry – this gave me a sense of empowerment. Knowledge quickly became a tool in managing my mental health.
2. Seeking Treatment: I sought professional help and worked closely with mental health experts to develop a treatment plan tailored to my needs. Medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments have been vital components of managing it effectively.
3. Building a Support System: I reached out to friends and family to educate them about my diagnosis. Their understanding and support have been invaluable so far.
4. Redefining Success: I reevaluated my definition of success. Instead of comparing myself to neurotypical standards, I focused on setting realistic goals and celebrating small victories. This shift in perspective helped me alleviate the pressure to conform to social expectations.

There are real challenges to my diagnosis but there are also real strengths to it for example:

1. Creativity: Many individuals have a heightened sense of creativity, it allows ideas to flow more freely, leading to artistic, literary and innovative breakthroughs.
2. Resilience: Navigating the emotional aspect builds resilience. The ability to bounce back from adversity is a remarkable strength that many neurodiverse individuals possess.

Embracing my neurodiversity has transformed my life in profound ways. I've learned to appreciate the complexity of my mind, acknowledging that my “disorder” is just one aspect of my diverse neurology. It has made me more empathetic, compassionate, and determined to advocate for mental health awareness and acceptance.

By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others to embrace their neurodiversity, whatever your condition. Our unique neurologies make us who we are, and by understanding and accepting ourselves, we can lead fulfilling lives and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive society.