It can feel like a quiet, internal wondering.
“Why do I experience the world this way?”
“Why do certain things feel harder for me than they seem to be for others?”
“Is there something different about me?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you are not alone.
And the answers matter—deeply.

Understanding Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence is a term that describes natural variations in the human brain—differences in thinking, processing, sensing, and relating. It includes things like ADHD, autism, sensory processing sensitivity, dyslexia, and more. But more than a list of traits or diagnoses, neurodivergence reflects the beautifully complex, varied ways our minds can be wired.

For many people, especially adults, recognizing themselves as neurodivergent comes after years—sometimes decades—of trying to “fit in,” “mask,” or “push through” experiences that didn’t quite make sense. Often, these individuals carry quiet shame or confusion, believing they’ve simply been “too sensitive,” “too much,” or “not enough.”

Naming your neurodivergence can be a profound act of self-recognition and compassion.

And it matters. Here’s why.

1. It Gives Context, Not Blame

When we don’t know why something feels hard, we often internalize the struggle. This means we lay blame inside, develop negative beliefs about ourselves, and ourselves in relation to others and the world around us.
But understanding that your brain works differently reframes the story.
It’s not that you’re failing—it’s that the world wasn’t built with your wiring in mind.

With this context, you can begin to shift from self-blame to self-awareness, to self-acceptance and yes, even self-love!
And awareness opens the door to new choices, tools, and forms of support.

2. It Helps You Find Your People

Many neurodivergent people grow up feeling like “other.”
Learning about your neurodivergence can help you connect with communities where you feel seen, understood, and valued—not for masking who you are, but for showing up as yourself.

Belonging is not just a comfort. It’s a human need. Brene Brown describes the importance of belonging as being who we are.

3. It Invites Self-Compassion and Rest

So many neurodivergent individuals have become masters of pushing through—doing what’s expected, even at the cost of their nervous systems.

But when you recognize your neurodivergence, you can begin to listen to what you need rather than what you “should” be able to do.
Rest, regulation, and pacing become valid—not indulgent. Your needs become worthy of honoring, not dismissing.

4. It Informs How You Heal

In trauma-informed work, understanding how your nervous system uniquely functions is essential.
Many neurodivergent people are more sensitive to sensory input, emotional intensity, or relational dynamics. These sensitivities are not flaws—they’re information. They help us understand how to move through healing in ways that are attuned, safe, and sustainable.

Neurodivergence doesn’t always come with trauma—but when it does, the healing process needs to be nuanced, patient, and collaborative.

You Deserve to Know Yourself

Knowing that you may be neurodivergent is not about putting yourself in a box.
It’s about understanding the shape of the box you were put into—and gently beginning to step out.

This knowing can lead to self-kindness.
It can help you advocate for accommodations without apology.
It can guide you toward practices and people that nourish your nervous system, rather than deplete it.

You deserve that.
You deserve to feel whole, valid, and empowered to be fully you—not a version of you that’s more tolerable to others.

And if you’re curious about what this all might mean for your life or healing work, I’m here.
We can explore it—together, at your pace.

Warmly,
Tamara