What a Neurodivergent Perspective Means to Me: Living with Adult ADHD

From a Neurodivergent Perspective

Recently, during a case discussion, I found myself repeatedly saying, "From a neurodivergent perspective..."

When asked if the client was neurodivergent, I replied, "No, but I am."

That moment lingered with me. It highlighted how much my own neurodivergent lens shapes my understanding, my instincts, and how I show up in the world — both professionally and personally.

Understanding My Neurodivergent Lens

Being neurodivergent means experiencing and interpreting the world differently. For me, it’s like having a brain wired with curiosity, creativity, and deep feeling — but also one that needs support, space and understanding.

Here are a few of the ways I experience the world through my neurodivergent lens:

• Empathy on full blast
  I pick up on things others might miss — a shift in tone, a flicker in someone’s expression, a subtle change in energy. I’m deeply in tune with people, but it can be a lot in busy or emotionally charged spaces. I feel things big.

• Curiosity as a default setting
  I don’t do “just because.” I question, explore, and reframe. I’m naturally driven to dig deeper, and I rarely take things at face value — which is really useful in coaching and therapy work.

• Creative, agile thinking
  My thoughts don’t follow a straight line. They zigzag, connect, leap, and land in places others might not expect. I often come up with ideas quickly and instinctively — especially in the moment with clients. It’s creative thinking, not craft box creativity.

• Energy with edges
  I’ve got a high natural energy that people often notice. I’m usually upbeat, enthusiastic and driven — but when I crash, I crash hard. Managing my energy and pacing myself is essential for staying well.

• Emotional intensity
  Whether it’s joy, sadness, or frustration, I feel things deeply. I cry about dogs. World news can floor me. It’s not about being dramatic — it’s just how I’m wired. I have to be mindful about what I let in and when.

• Instinctive decision-making
  I often just know when something’s right — before I can even explain why. My decision-making blends logic, emotion, and instinct, and I’ve learned to trust it (most of the time!).

• Communication mismatch
  My thoughts are rich and fast-moving — but writing them down? Not always easy. I’ve worked hard to build clear, confident verbal communication, but getting the inside of my head to match the outside is still a work in progress.

Navigating the Challenges

Alongside the strengths come a few tricky bits — things that have taken time (and a fair bit of trial and error) to understand and manage:

• Demand Avoidance
  If something feels imposed, overly structured, or rigid — especially within a hierarchy — my brain hits panic mode. I don’t thrive in “because I said so” environments. But give me autonomy and purpose? I’m all in.

• Rejection Sensitivity
  Feeling ignored, misunderstood or excluded hits me hard. I’ve had to learn to build strong boundaries and hold on to my self-worth. The “let them” mindset has been life-changing — not everyone will get me, and that’s absolutely fine.

• Executive Function Wobbles
  Organisation, planning and time management have never come naturally. But with a few clever hacks (hello colour-coded boards, voice notes and structured routines) and a strong sense of purpose, I’ve found ways to work with it — not against it.

Embracing My Neurodivergent Identity

Getting my ADHD diagnosis as an adult was... a bit of a lightbulb moment. Not one big flash — more like someone slowly turned up the dimmer switch.

Things that had always felt a bit “off” suddenly made perfect sense. The energy. The overwhelm. The way I process things. The instinctive problem-solving. The emotional intensity. It wasn’t that I’d been doing life wrong — I’d just been doing it without a manual.

Since then, embracing my neurodivergent identity has brought me something even more powerful than clarity — it’s brought me compassion.

• Compassion for younger me, muddling through without the right words

• Compassion for others navigating similar paths

• And compassion for myself now — for the way I think, feel, work and move through the world

It’s helped me recognise that my strengths aren’t flukes — they’re part of who I am:

• My creativity and instinct

• My deep empathy and curiosity

• My drive to help people feel seen, heard and understood

Owning my neurodivergence hasn’t just helped me cope — it’s helped me thrive. And it’s made me a better supporter, listener and cheerleader for others too.

A Note to You

If any of this resonates — if you’ve ever wondered whether your brain might work a little differently, or you’re figuring it out one puzzle piece at a time — just know: you’re not alone.

Neurodivergence comes with challenges, yes — but also with incredible strength, insight and creativity. The more we understand and honour how our brains work, the more we can show up as ourselves — with less shame, and more pride.

If you’re curious about how neurodivergence might be shaping your experiences — or you're seeking support tailored to your own way of being — feel free to explore the resources on my website or get in touch for a chat.