What Neurodivergent Really Means for Wellness

What being neurodivergent really means, why our rhythms clash with wellness culture, and how to honor what we need.

Unmasking Wellness EP 4

When I say neurodivergent, what do I mean? The word gets used a lot these days, but it can still feel slippery. For me, it’s both an umbrella and something deeply personal.

Neurodivergent usually describes anyone whose brain and body don’t follow the so-called “neurotypical” way of being. It can include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Tourette’s, sensory differences, and more. But here’s the thing — it doesn’t look the same for everyone.

My version? Here’s my laundry list:

inattentive ADHD
high sensitivity
dyscalculia (numbers are not my friend)
time blindness
sensory sensitivity and avoidance
directional dyslexia
hypersensitivity to sound and textures
clumsiness and coordination challenges
social anxiety.

Yeah, it’s a long list!

And for years, I thought it meant I was useless and unworthy of love. But what I see now is that these aren’t flaws — they’re part of my wiring. Sometimes they make life harder. Sometimes they give me strengths. But either way, they’re mine.

The real friction shows up when ND rhythms collide with wellness culture. Wellness says: be consistent. Wake up at the same time every day. Do the same practice, the same way, forever. And if you can’t? Well, you’re doing it wrong.

But that’s not how most of us move through the world. Our energy comes in waves. Bursts and crashes. Seasons of focus and seasons of fog. And when the wellness script tells us those rhythms are “wrong,” it’s easy to fall into shame.

For a long time, I blamed myself. Sometimes, I even blamed the neurotypical people around me who just didn’t get it. But here’s what I’ve learned: most people don’t know what they don’t know. That doesn’t give them permission to dismiss or disrespect us. But it does mean the work isn’t about waiting for them to understand. It’s about learning to advocate for ourselves.

So if you’ve ever been told your rhythms are wrong, hear me: they’re not wrong. They’re yours. And they deserve care, not shame!💜

Categories: : Podcast Reflections