A Thought About Entertaining My Neuro-Diverse Self

Let’s face it, I’m just me and you’re just you.  No one is perfect.  Thank goodness for that don’t you think?  I have written about this subject a lot in my first book, Memoirs From a Fishbowl and Other Random Thoughts. By the time a person finishes reading my plethora of prose poetry, lyric essays, short stories, narrative journalism and quick quip pieces they’ll understand why I’m just trying to make it in the world with my dignity still intact.  They realize the best thing to do is to face our quirky ways and learn to love ourselves just because we are all unique in our own ways.  Judgement from others is not an option. 

However, as time has gone by, I’ve been thinking that I am an undiagnosed person on the spectrum of the neuro-diverse humans club.  To which if per chance that I am, it would be no biggie to me, as a matter of fact, I’d consider it a gift.  Even as a child I couldn’t pay attention to the teacher for the life of me.  I was a daydreamer who always had my imagination going wild at all times.  I was the fidgeter sitting at my desk, doodling on the margins and continually looking at that black and white round clock. 

The hand slowly counting the seconds till the morning recess, then lunch, waiting impatiently for the second recess, then finally the final bell screeching out its time to go home.   To tell you the truth, I don’t know how in the world I made it through my twelve years of school and eight years with all the higher educational institutions I graduated from whether they were universities, community colleges or vocational schools. 

I’ve always been baffled as to how I did it.  Then my memories started telling me.  I decided to share what I found out through making myself remember for the sake of my own sanity or maybe to help everyone understand a little bit more.  So, you as a “normal person” can be more tolerant towards people that are different or admit they too may be part of this group of absolutely wonderful people dubbed neuro-diverse.

The more I started observing others, I began wondering could it be… everyone is neuro-diverse in their own special way.  The reason I have come to the conclusion is: we on a neurological level, has their own unique way of learning, coping, entertaining themselves and integrating into society.

A perfect example is the teachers were very tolerant of me because I was quiet, I didn’t fidget about like the boys did.  They could tell they were dull to me and if I passed their class, they would be good.  I developed a ritual of doodling and writing on the edges of my notes while the teacher was talking.  Looking back, I know for a fact this was the beginning of a long love of writing, drawing and painting.  I was naturally veering towards the gift that was given. Which in turn helped me concentrate better on what the teacher was saying.

As the years went by, I’ve collected a lot of pictures I have drawn or painted.  I was going through all my stacks of colorful abstract pencil drawings that were  more polished and shaded from my margin doodles in school.  An idea hit me, what with the new age of technology now, I realized that I could possibly make some money with all these eclectic, vibrant, abstract pictures.  I mean, some of these whacky drawings really would make some pretty cool patterns for phone covers, tablecloths, totes or even puzzles. 

It never hurts to give something a whirl, especially if it’s free.  This is the main reason why I’m writing this blog because I want to encourage everyone to think outside the box and embrace your gifts like I have.  I mean, like it’s only taken me sixty-two years to figure out that I can write and draw.

Realizing as such, it took me a slice of time to figure out how to go about making my idea come to fruition.   The main dilemma was finding a trusted company in an industry I knew nothing about.  The rabbit hole of researching finally led me to a very easy to set up, free pop-up shop with a trusted source on https://www.printify.com .   I was actually doing a happy dance when the site allowed me to name my store, Creations Within Me.

I’m not trying to be some sort of promoter here either.  I’m just letting you guys know if a sixty-two-year-old lady from here, there and everywhere that is about as ADHD as what you can get can figure out how to apply my doodling to making something fun, easy and practical to use anytime you want… well I know you can too.  I want you to do your own happy dance.  To showcase your skills no one else has. 

Be your own self because everyone is different in their own ways.  That’s where we need to embrace our spiritual gifts on a soul level.   I know this sounds cliché’ and maybe it is, but for me to have yet another outlet to release the creations within me, well I say yes to that.  I found something new to learn that I never dreamed I could do plus, designing stuff is pretty fun too.

I’m to the point in life that I’ve accepted me.  Finding yourself is just as important as accepting yourself.  You’re a great package deal just the way you are.  I just know it.  So much so, you can email me anytime or direct message me on Facebook or Instagram.  I’m always willing to help you find you because quite frankly, what really is normal?