The mind can feel like a storm—chaotic, relentless, and hard to predict. The thoughts swirl unpredictably, lightning-fast ideas, and my inner world shifts constantly. For those of us who live with neurodiversity, this experience is both familiar and deeply personal. There were days when the overwhelm seemed insurmountable, when I questioned if I'd ever find peace in the noise.
But through the turbulence, I’ve learned to navigate neurodiversity and the challenges that comes with it I also uncovered unexpected strengths, and embraced a new perspective. This was more than my struggles, it’s growth, self-discovery, and the hope that comes with looking ahead. Today, I’m not only surviving the storm but learning how to use its power to survive the day to day in a world that wasn't built for me.
The Struggles of a Neurodivergent Mind
Growing up, I felt different. While others seemed to move through life with ease, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of overwhelming sensations, racing thoughts, and social challenges that felt like navigating life without the handbook that everyone else seemed to have. School was particularly challenging, I had daily separation anxiety and a constant battle against my own mind that I struggled to understand at my young age.
I excelled in schoolwork though, often achieving honors. But many simple things like going to the school nurse for a minor injury seemed way more difficult for me than others. I even came back once crying in first grade because I had accidentally stabbed my finger with a pencil and didn't know what to do after my teacher sent me to the nurse. I can still see the faint spot on my finger 35 years later.
I remember feeling isolated, misunderstood, not realizing that my brain was simply working in a way that didn't fit the narrow definition of “normal.” I however was outgoing and could speak to peers relatively easily and have maintained some of those friendships for the past 35 years.
For years, I struggled to understand why I felt different. Even though I could maintain social conversations and friendships, Social interactions, organization, and maintaining focus were battles I fought daily and would often leave me feeling exhausted and feeling like an outsider.
From anxiety, self-doubt, the executive dysfunction that left projects unfinished, and the emotional intensity that made the smallest setbacks feel monumental were all forces I wouldn't fully understand for 32 years. It wasn’t until I discovered I was neurodivergent—that I began to piece together the puzzle of my mind.
Hi I'm Amber I have always been weird, but now it's finally explained
Turns out my brain's been running on alternative software this whole time—explains a lot, honestly.
Now I'm hyperfocused on all things neurodiversity (and other things like crafting and Stranger things and more)
My mission? Building a community where we can collectively figure out how to navigate this chaotic world without completely losing our marvelous, misunderstood minds. Because let's face it—society wasn't exactly designed with our operating systems in mind.
Let's connect, laugh about our shared experiences, only we understand and explore how our unique cognitive styes are remarkable. After all everyone else is just boring.
The world isn’t designed for people who think and feel the way I do. Traditional work environments were exhausting, societal expectations felt stifling, and relationships often required me to mask my true self. I spent years trying to adapt but that lead to burnout, self-doubt, and isolation.
My Journey Through the Storm
Walking through the storm of life with a neurodivergent mind is a complex journey. At times, it has felt like trying to steady myself against relentless currents, searching for clarity amidst a constant swirl. Yet as challenging as it’s been, this journey is has been a transformative experience both in how I see myself and how I engage with the world around me. So how did I do it?
Facing the Chaos
In the beginning, I didn’t have the language or knowledge to understand what was happening inside my brain. Imagine being dropped mid-routine into a room where everything is too loud or too fast. That’s what life often felt like—the smallest task came with an unexpected flurry of complications. Whether it was forgetting something seemingly trivial or struggling to process conversations in real time, these moments added up to a growing sense of isolation and frustration.
Societally, there was an invisible pressure to “get it together,” making me feel like I wasn’t enough, no matter how hard I tried. Well-meaning advice often missed the mark, as systems and methods designed for neurotypical success didn’t address my needs. I was doomed to fail before I even started a task.
Feelings of being misunderstood didn’t help. A spiral of judgment—both coming from others and myself—created a weight that felt almost unbearable. Yet, even in the darkest moments, I held onto a sliver of hope. Somewhere deep down, I believed there was a way to make sense of the chaos.
I have always heard things like watch she will forget this or I bet she will be late. I still hear these as an adult from family and others that know me but they don't know how damaging and humiliating it is to hear it. This is one area I still mask in to keep the peace but will sometimes speak up carefully. It shouldn't be like that but it is sadly. And I will even beat myself up at times like how could you forget that ugh so typical. Luckily I have learned a lot in the past couple of years and have some counteractive measures in place that really help with my challenges.
Beginning to Navigate Neurodiversity
My personal breakthrough didn’t come in a monumental revelation, it arrived in smaller, incremental shifts. I remember a particularly overwhelming day when even opening an email felt insurmountable. That night, completely exhausted, I asked myself: “What if this isn’t just me failing to do enough? What if there’s a reason behind this struggle?” It was from that moment of self-reflection that my journey toward understanding truly began.
Getting support was a game-changer. Therapy became an important piece of my healing journey, not only in unpacking how my mind worked but also in reframing what I perceived as “flaws” into attributes I could work with. With help, I began recognizing patterns—what drained me, what fueled me, and where my strengths lay. For example, I learned that my tendency to hyper-focus wasn’t a defect; it could be an important skill if channeled effectively toward the right tasks. Like being creative and making and designing beautiful things. My creativity is my favorite part about myself.
I also began using tools like setting timers and time-blocking to create structure in a way that felt natural instead of forced. These strategies gave me breathing room, offering space to process emotions without being swept away by them. Growth, as I’ve discovered, often requires peeling back layers we don’t even realize exist and sitting with discomfort long enough to figure out what it’s teaching us.
This journey of self-discovery is ongoing, and personal growth can stem from building a better understanding of one’s own neurodivergence.
Support Systems That Made a Difference
No storm is weathered alone, and my experience has highlighted the importance of a solid support system, which I recognize not everyone has the privilege to have. Professional help was an important piece, but family and close friends played equally important roles. Each person in my corner offered something unique, a steady hand, a listening ear, or encouragement when I felt drained. I did lose some friends while I was managing my neurodiversity. But that is ok they weren't meant to be on this journey with me.
Building this network wasn’t accidental; it involved communicating my needs clearly (a challenge in itself) and being honest about the ways I struggled. While some people didn’t get it, or even dismissed my reality outright, I learned to focus on those who cared and made an effort to understand. Their unwavering presence served as an anchor during troubled times.
Community resources and online spaces for neurodivergent individuals also became lifelines. These platforms allowed me to connect with others who shared similar experiences, reducing the sense of isolation that had been so overwhelming.
Whether from a loving family member or an online forum, every instance of support helped me inch closer toward understanding that I wasn’t broken. I was simply wired differently, and in many ways, that difference became my strength.
The storm is still here, of course. It ebbs and flows, but knowing I’m not navigating it alone makes all the difference.
Embracing the Calm Within the Storm
Living with a mind that feels like an unrelenting storm can be exhausting, over time, however, I’ve learned that the storm doesn't need to be tamed entirely. Instead, it is about finding moments of calm and balance within the chaos. These moments don’t simply appear, they are formed through intentional practices, shifts in mindset, and a deep commitment to self-compassion.
Developing Coping Mechanisms
For years, my biggest hurdle was feeling unprepared in the face of mental chaos. I lacked strategies to create inner calm, but little by little, I developed tools to keep the storm at bay. These weren’t quick fixes—each one required patience, experimentation, and repetition.
- Mindfulness Practices: Simple mindfulness tools have made an enormous difference. Activities like guided meditation or sensory-focused grounding (such as concentrating on my breath or keeping my hands busy with a stim toy) created breaks in the loudness.
- Creative Outlets: Creativity became my connection to peace. Painting, writing, or even doodling gave me ways to process and express my emotions when words felt insufficient. It anchored me in the present, transforming abstract overwhelm into something tangible. I also needle felt which is great for distraction and emotional release as I stab a ball of wool over and over to create something awesome.
- Time Management Tools: Instead of traditional calendars or planners, I leaned on visual scheduling tools like time-blocking or apps designed for neurodivergent users. Breaking tasks into chunks and tracking smaller accomplishments helped me stay focused without falling into perfectionism. The second brain concept that I use has been the biggest help.
- Setting Boundaries: I learned that saying “no” wasn’t selfish—it was survival (also difficult for people pleasers like myself). Protecting my energy meant limiting interactions that drained me and creating a safe distance from environments that amplified noise, both literally and figuratively.
Redefining Success and Happiness
Society tends to define success in narrow terms: steady income, prestigious roles, or conventional achievements. But as I came to terms with my neurodivergence, I realized those definitions were suffocating. Instead, I started asking myself fundamental questions. What does joy look like for me? How do I define a life worth living?
Redefining success wasn’t an abandonment of ambition, instead it was a recalibration. I began to see consistency, authenticity, and fulfillment as the markers of achievement. For instance:
- Financial success didn't mean a corporate ladder. It meant finding work environments that respected who I am and allowed me to thrive.
- Happiness wasn't just pleasurable moments; it was balance—creating routines and relationships grounded in mutual understanding.
Society often portrays neurodivergent individuals as either struggling or “success stories,” with nothing in between. But it's the quiet, steady victories—getting through an hour of focus, making space for stimming without judgment—that bring real meaning. My definition of success is simple: living authentically and on my terms. And I am achieving just that.
The Importance of Self-Compassion
Of all the lessons I’ve learned, this one is the hardest to master: being kind to myself. The world is quick to criticize or misunderstand neurodivergent behaviors, but the harshest voice often comes from within. Early on, I internalized every “should”: I should keep up, I should handle stress better, I should stop being so sensitive. These “shoulds” were like weights, keeping me anchored in shame.
Adopting self-compassion didn’t happen overnight—it was a practice I worked hard at gradually. Some steps that helped me include:
- Reframing Slip-Ups: Instead of spiraling into self-criticism, I began to view setbacks as opportunities to learn. Didn’t finish the task? That doesn’t erase the effort it took to start.
- Practicing Small Acts of Kindness: Sometimes it was as simple as giving myself permission to rest or celebrating tiny wins—both are acts of compassion too often overlooked. Also small acts of kindness towards other people isn't a bad thing either after managing it within yourself.
- Embracing Imperfection: Understanding that I was doing the best I could, given the circumstances, was an enormous shift. That little voice saying, “You’re enough as you are,” carried me through tougher days.
Learning to quiet self-criticism allowed me to find peace within the storm. Just as we extend understanding to friends or loved ones, offering ourselves that same grace builds resilience in ways no external validation ever could.
Overcoming the Storm
The first step in overcoming my struggles was self-awareness. Once I understood my neurodivergence, I was able to approach life with a new perspective—one that involved self-compassion instead of self-criticism. I stopped forcing myself to conform and started finding ways to work with my brain, not against it.
I wasn't a flawed and needed to be fixed, but a unique neurological variation that comes with both challenges and extraordinary gifts. Learning about my specific neurodivergent traits was like finding a map in the middle of that mental storm—suddenly, the chaos started to make sense.
A Vision of Growth
Growth doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a carefully tended process. For me, personal development is both an aspiration and a necessity—a way of carving out peace and purpose from the chaos.
I envision a future grounded in emotional resilience. Life’s storms will never fully pass, but I am determined to face them with steadier footing. Resilience doesn't mean I am unshakable, but I am learning to sway without breaking, to adapt while protecting my who I am.
Another priority is skill-building. Whether that means refining the tools I rely on to manage daily life or diving deeper into professional skills, growth in these areas is essential. continually grow, learning more about systemic barriers and how to dismantle them effectively. If something like time blocking worked yesterday that isn't working for me today then I pivot and do some thing that does work. Such as setting a timer and working for a bit then re-evaluate how I am feeling.
Finally, I hope to focus on connecting with others through shared values and experiences. There’s nothing more empowering than building bridges of understanding, especially in a world that too often isolates neurodivergent individuals. My hope is that my compassion will not only enrich my own life but also contribute to a larger, more inclusive community.
Transforming Challenges into Strengths
Today, I am embracing the whirlwind of my mind rather than fearing it. I’ve found ways to channel my energy into meaningful work, from selling my designs online to writing about neurodiversity. I’m focusing on building a future that aligns with who I truly am—one that includes financial independence, and a life filled with passion and purpose.
My neurodivergent mind is not a limitation, the same brain that once made me feel overwhelmed now allows me to:
- Think with incredible creativity and see connections others might miss
- Dive deep into subjects with a level of focus and passion that is remarkable
- Process information in unique and innovative ways
- Bring a perspective to problem-solving that is truly original
Therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes gave me stability as I built routines that catered to my needs, used creative outlets like designing and creating things and writing to express myself. And I engaged strengths that my neurodivergence gave me—creativity, empathy, and resilience. I found community with others who understood my struggles, and for the first time, I felt seen. Each challenge I've overcome has been a stepping stone. Sensory processing difficulties became an opportunity to develop incredible self-awareness. Social challenges transformed into a deep empathy and understanding of human complexity.
Looking Ahead: Navigating the Future
As I look toward the future, I see endless opportunities for growth, not just in my personal life but in how I contribute to the world around me. I’m ready to face challenges, and the share inspiration with others walking a similar path. I'm pursuing career paths that value my distinctive way of thinking, building relationships with people who appreciate my authenticity, and advocating for neurodiversity awareness.
Inspiring Others Through My Journey
Stories hold power. I’ve often found solace in hearing others share their journeys, so I understand the importance of shining a light for those who might feel lost in their storms. Sharing my experience with neurodiversity is both a personal responsibility and a privilege, as it offers others the hope and understanding I once sought.
I aspire to use my story as a platform to redefine perceptions about neurodiversity. Too often, society sees us only in terms of struggle or achievement, leaving little room for the complex realities in between. By opening up about my own experiences, I hope to pave the way for more nuanced conversations.
Moreover, I want to empower others to embrace their unique strengths.
Through these efforts, I’m also fueling my own growth. Every time I share my story, I gain deeper clarity about who I am and how I can help others. It’s a reminder that no matter how chaotic life can feel, each of us has the power to transform our storm into something meaningful—for ourselves and for others.
My journey is far from over, but with every challenge I overcome, I am reminded of my strength. And that strength is something no storm can take away. The storm within my mind has shaped me in ways I never expected. What once felt like chaos is now a source of strength, growth, and understanding. Living with neurodiversity hasn’t been easy, but it has taught me resilience, self-awareness, and the power of owning my story.
So, I leave you with this: be curious, challenge stereotypes, and extend compassion—to yourself and to others. Together, we can turn every storm into a chance to thrive.
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