neurodiversity

Lazy days make me feel both rested and unproductive. Some days, slowing down and having some quiet time to relax is peaceful and makes me feel like I’m exactly where I should be. Other times, rest feels…restless. My mind tells me I should be doing something productive instead of lying around doing nothing. It’s uncomfortable to be in that in-between zone of feeling both at the same time.

For me, it feels like this internal tug-of-war between my body telling me to slow down, while my brain is shouting for me to keep going. I feel such a strong sense of guilt on lazy days because I was taught by society that laziness equates to weakness. So, I’m always thinking that I’m less than or undeserving of rest. But I’ve learned that it’s essential for my mental health, and I’ve been trying to care and nurture that.

I’ve been trying to view lazy days as restorative ones. It’s not a waste of time or anything to be ashamed of. Since I’ve had such a hard time in the past struggling with these feelings, I’ve finally decided to try to see rest in a more positive light. I honestly don’t even like using the word “lazy” at all because of the correlation to weakness, and I think we should debunk this myth.

Honestly, rest is strength. I’m recognizing my limits instead of pushing myself day in and day out to do more just for the sake of societal expectations. I’ve been putting my best food forward and doing things at my own pace, and I’m learning to trust that’s enough. If I’m in desperate need of rest, I no long blame myself for slowing down.

“Rest isn’t a reward for doing enough. It’s a right — because you’re human.”-Unknown

#MentalHealth #ADHD #Neurodiversity

For most of my life, I’ve been told that I’m too emotional, too reactive, too quiet, too sensitive. But the truth is, my nervous system experiences the world differently. I’m affected by sounds, lights, textures, and emotions that I feel deeply and absorb fully. They vibrate inside me until my brain and body feel like they’re buzzing with static.

I’ve learned that sensory overload isn’t just about getting overwhelmed. It’s when all of your senses — even energy — become too loud at once. My heart races, my muscles tense, and my brain feels foggy, as though I can’t process more than one thing. It’s not by choice; it’s how my body protects itself from too much input.

I was reminded of this recently at a wedding.

I had bought a beautiful dress, but it turned out to be made of polyester — one of the materials my skin just can’t tolerate. The fabric clung to me, trapping heat, irritating my skin, and making my whole body tense. I was sweating, anxious, and unable to think about anything except how uncomfortable I felt.

Being in the wedding party added another layer of pressure. I had to smile, pose for photos, and make small talk when all I wanted was a quiet corner to breathe. Then I realized I had forgotten my anxiety medication and Adderall that morning, and by the evening, the exhaustion hit hard. I started to shut down — not dramatically, just… quietly.

By the end of the night, I couldn’t talk, move, or even pretend anymore. My brain went fuzzy, my body went numb, and I dissociated completely. Surrounded by laughter, music, and clinking glasses, I felt utterly disconnected — like watching life happen through a foggy lens.

That’s the thing about living with a sensitive nervous system: even joyful events can be draining. The pressure to engage, to mask, to keep up with everyone else can push you into fight, flight, or freeze mode. I feel like I experienced all three at once.

I’ve realized that sensitivity isn’t weakness. It’s depth. My body reacts because it feels everything — the beauty, the chaos, the love, and the noise. And while that sensitivity can sometimes feel heavy, it’s also what makes me alive. It’s what connects me to the world in ways words can’t describe. I think it’s a trait to honor, not something to fix.

“A sensitive heart is not a fragile one — it is a heart that understands the depth of life in ways others often overlook.”-Unknown#MentalHealth #ADHD #Neurodiversity Subscribe to: embracetheunseen.com

Self-Advocacy Isn’t Easy When You Have ADHD—Here’s How to Start 💪

Advocating for yourself can feel exhausting when your brain doesn’t always follow the rules. ADHD can make organizing your thoughts, remembering key points, or pushing back feel impossible—but standing up for yourself is one of the most powerful tools you have.

✨ Start Small
You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Pick one area—work, school, or relationships—where you need your voice heard, and focus there first.

📝 Write It Down
Your brain can get overwhelmed in the moment. Draft what you want to say beforehand. Bullet points help keep your key messages clear.

🤝 Use Your Support System
Friends, mentors, or ADHD communities can help you prepare, role-play conversations, or remind you of your rights and needs.

🌱 Build a Healthy Support System
Healthy support means people who:
• Listen without judgment
• Respect your decisions
• Offer guidance when asked
• Celebrate your progress

🚫 Unhealthy support often:
• Dismiss your experiences
• Pressure you to act against your needs
• Take control of your choices

⚠️ Be Aware of Misinformation
ADHD myths are everywhere—people may think you’re lazy or not trying hard enough. Learn the facts, rely on credible sources, and correct misinformation calmly.

💖 Practice Self-Compassion
You might stumble, forget, or get frustrated—and that’s okay. Every attempt is a step toward asserting your needs.

🌟 Leverage Your Strengths
Your creativity, curiosity, and ability to think outside the box are powerful advocacy tools. Highlight them when making your case.

Self-advocacy isn’t a single moment—it’s a practice. With time, preparation, accurate information, and a healthy support system, it becomes less scary and more empowering. You deserve to be heard, understood, and accommodated. 💛

It says ADHD on it’s because I put it in an article on Self advocacy but also be applied to any challenge or situation not just ADHD

#ADHD #ADHDInGirls #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth #Anxiety #Depression #AddictionRecovery

One personal goal I’ve set is to stop speaking so negatively about myself. For much of my life, I’ve been incredibly hard on myself. I used to believe I was a worthless person — someone with no ambitions, no clear goals, and no sense of direction. I’d essentially yell at myself to try harder, to be better, to exceed expectations. But all that ever did was stir up more negative self-talk.

I never realized just how harsh my inner critic had become. Every mistake, every awkward moment, and every visible flaw turned into fuel for self-criticism. My inner dialogue tells me that I’m too different to ever truly fit in, that I’ll never amount to anything, that I’m incapable of most things. And the worst part? I’ve believed every word.

Trying to manage my emotions and quiet the negative thoughts has been incredibly difficult. It’s hard to unlearn years of self-hatred, and even harder to see anything positive when you’ve spent so long tearing yourself down. But after reaching a point of emotional exhaustion, I finally realized something important: that voice in my head wasn’t the truth. My inner critic was born out of years of comparison, rejection, and judgment — not reality.

So, I set a new goal: to reduce negative self-talk and replace it with compassion.

It hasn’t been easy, but one thing that’s helped is writing daily affirmations in my journal. I try to jot down at least five things I admire about myself, or my greatest strengths. Doing this helps shift my focus, especially when I feel the urge to put myself down.

I’ve learned that changing the way you speak to yourself means confronting the parts of you that never felt worthy in the first place. When I pause and really think about it, I realize I would never speak this way to someone I love — so why am I doing it to myself?

This shift in mindset has opened the door to more compassion, patience, and gentleness. Because we all deserve kindness — especially in the moments we fall short.

“You’ve been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” - Louise Hay

embracetheunseen.com

#MentalHealth #Depression #ADHD #AutismSpectrumDisorder #Anxiety #Neurodiversity