Embracing comfort

Being neurodiverse in this society requires enormous amounts of strength and courage. Perhaps it's time to allow yourself some much-deserved rest.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Benee Brown. It's amazing and inspiring to watch her power and her strength by simply being vulnerable. I think there is a lot we can learn from her.

“Neurodiverse folks have to work harder every day just to manage the same amount of productivity as their neurotypical peers.”

She says, in her recent Netflix video, that she wakes up every morning and tells herself "today I'm going to choose courage over comfort". That is such a brave way to meet the day. But for her, it is also a choice. What if you need courage every day just to get by? What if you don't have an option it isn't a choice, it is simply survival? Now, that statement looks different to you, doesn't it?

The exhaustion of Neurodiversity

Think about it this way, people who are left-handed have to make accommodations throughout their day, consistently. Most objects were not designed for them to use. It's easy to imagine how difficult and often frustrating it is for them to navigate a right-handed world. In a similar way, neurodiverse folks have to work harder every day just to manage the same amount of productivity as their neurotypical peers. Except for them, it's invisible, no one can see the extra effort. This makes it exponentially more difficult as they have to explain themselves to people who simply don't understand.

Are you neurodivergent? Do you feel exhausted from the amount of courage it took to get out of bed and get to work on time? Do you feel like making breakfast took 2 of your 5 remaining spoons? Do you have children and you wake up feeling depleted before the day even starts? Could it be possible that the weight of needing to have courage as a child, before you were ready, is what's holding you back from your dreams.

I wonder if today you would be willing to forgive yourself for being exhausted from your perceived lack of courage yesterday. Could you look at yourself as though you were your best friend? Could you see how hard you tried and how you did the best you could under the circumstances? If it was your best friend, what would you do for them? I know I would wrap them up in the softest blanket, get them some hot tea and dim the lights. I would remind them of their strength and bravery. Don't you deserve the same care?

Maybe today you could consider letting yourself rest, even just for a few minutes. Tomorrow you might just thank yourself for the much-needed care.