Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Hey there powerful, conscious individual,

As Neurodiversity celebration week draws to a close, I wanted to share some thoughts I’ve had around the topic recently.

I’m not sure about you, but I haven’t been feeling particularly celebratory at the moment. There’s a shortage of ADHD meds around the UK - I myself haven’t been able to access my prescription for a little while, and it’s caused me some anxiety.

But being in this place of anxiety has actually offered me a really positive opportunity to own my narrative. As usual, I work to reframe and reset. It’s okay to feel rubbish sometimes, especially under circumstances like this, but we get to decide what happens next. How do we react? How do we take care of ourselves? We look internally and identify what is going to help us move forward.

I like to remind myself of what I’ve achieved so far. I have been clean and in recovery from addictive substances for over 2 decades! I’ve raised a son who I’m really proud of. I didn’t get an ADHD diagnosis until I was 37, and since then, I’ve helped many others in my position get hold of the reins in their life. I can thank my medication for the support, but I can’t discredit my conscious hard work and commitment - and neither should you.

There’s so much that you have accomplished, and I’d like you to take some time right now to note those in your mind. Recognise them as YOUR achievements. Take a deep breath and thank yourself for all the times you’ve worked hard to get to where you are.

Sometimes, Escaping The Chaos can be a little harder than usual - especially if you’re feeling trapped by your anxieties. If we’ve developed a mindset of ‘I can’t, because…’ it can be difficult to shake. Knowing your limits, patterns and boundaries is important - but knowing what you’re truly capable of is also really pertinent. That’s what we should really be celebrating this Neurodiversity Celebration week. What we CAN do. What we have done. What strengths and skills our differences provide us with, rather than what they take away from us. Let’s flip the narrative. We haven’t been successful in spite of our neurodivergence, but when we’ve accepted and leaned into it, we’ve been successful BECAUSE of all the wonderful things it offers us.

A different perspective. Creative thinking. An ability to dream bigger. Innovative ideas. Pattern recognition, deep focus, analytical thinking. These are all things that come with different forms or neurodivergence. And if we understand and embrace them, they only make us shine brighter.

If you’re struggling to access that acceptance within yourself, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and so have so many others that I’ve worked with. Together, we’ve changed their mindset and perspective, and I’ve supported them in building a sustainable, happier, less chaotic life for themselves.

Remember, though today marks the end of this week - you deserve to be celebrated and supported all year round; both in the workplace and beyond!

I’d like to leave you with this quote from the official Neurodiversity Celebration Week page:

“If we work together there is no limit to the change we can make.

It is time to recognise the many strengths and talents that come from thinking and perceiving the world differently. By celebrating the strengths of neurodivergent individuals, we can begin the seismic shift of changing the way neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported, empowering them to achieve their potential.

Together, we can change the narrative.”

Have a good one,

James ??