channel neurodivergent traits, instead of trying to "cure" them

[cemeteryismyhome]

I sincerely believe many things currently considered "bad" and needing "treatment" are actually good and useful. Anxiety does need to be cured, it needs to be channeled, which turns it into a powerful driving force. Becoming obsessed with learning about something and focusing on it for days is a gift, not a problem. Wanting to be alone is just a different way of looking at live, not a problem. Being depressed means looking life right in the eyes and seeing things as they brutally are. Living in dreadful pain brings out depth of understanding, pragmatic approaches to life, and possibly a deep rich compassion for others. To go maybe one step too far (I hope not), I wish there was a way to channel wanting to die. There are plenty of dangerous tasks to be done. Let people like me feel useful and take on those tasks, knowing the likely outcome. If you disagree, please slap me in the head and straighten me out, seriously, I want to hear!

 

[Pluto]

 

[GeminiButter]

I sincerely believe many things currently considered "bad" and needing "treatment" are actually good and useful. Anxiety does need to be cured, it needs to be channeled, which turns it into a powerful driving force. Becoming obsessed with learning about something and focusing on it for days is a gift, not a problem. Wanting to be alone is just a different way of looking at live, not a problem. Being depressed means looking life right in the eyes and seeing things as they brutally are. Living in dreadful pain brings out depth of understanding, pragmatic approaches to life, and possibly a deep rich compassion for others. To go maybe one step too far (I hope not), I wish there was a way to channel wanting to die. There are plenty of dangerous tasks to be done. Let people like me feel useful and take on those tasks, knowing the likely outcome. If you disagree, please slap me in the head and straighten me out, seriously, I want to hear!

Imo embracing neurodivergent traits and working with them rather than against them is definitely a good and positive thing, and I think it's one of the important (and maybe only) ways to build a life that you're happy with for yourself, that isn't about what society says you should or shouldn't do.

So much of neurodivergent traits are just different to what is the norm, and for the most part are not bad at all, it's just society has forced it that way.

The balance - and where I always have fallen at this - is being able to do this while also taking care of myself as an adult who lives alone and has to function and pay rent and bills, and live in the world, and that's why I think I still struggle so much with my mental health and my ability to manage things. It's really hard.

I hope you have more luck than me!