Over the years, as I explore the topics of personal growth, mindset, and navigating the challenges that life throws at us, every so often, a new pattern pops up.
We’re officially in the final week of the first round of my group program, neurodivergent navigation. Over the last 5ish weeks with this fantastic group of people, I found another one of those patterns.
I discovered the five selves that became the foundation for pretty much all of the rest of the work and conversations that we were having within our group. Those five selves are self-care, self-discovery, self-compassion, self-acceptance, and self-trust.
The journey of learning to better understand our brains and how they work, but even more than that, learning how to reconcile and integrate those realizations, these five selves become the foundation we kept revisiting repeatedly.
Self-Discovery: It all starts here. Before we can chart a course for growth, we need to understand where we currently stand.
Self-Compassion and Self-Acceptance: As late-discovering neurodivergent adults, we often wrestle with adjusting our expectations, processing past experiences, and integrating a new self-concept. This journey requires a generous dose of self-compassion and self-acceptance.
Self-Trust: With time and effort, we rebuild trust in ourselves. It’s a gradual process, bringing us closer to our authentic selves.
Self-Care: This is the common thread that weaves through all our discussions, whether discussing boundaries, masking, burnout, or more. It’s the foundation upon which everything else rests.
So, if you’re navigating the path of embracing your neurodivergent identity and you encounter challenges, take a moment to consider these Five Selves. Sometimes, it’s not about quick fixes like adjusting boundaries or revamping your to-do list. Often, what you truly need is a dose of self-care and self-compassion.
I’ve found that I’m at my best when I’m grounded in these Five Selves, providing myself with compassion, acceptance, and care, ultimately leading to self-trust.
This week, I invite you to take a moment and reflect on these Five Selves. Where might you need a bit more focus or support? Your journey of self-discovery and personal growth is unique, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Wishing you a week filled with self-discovery and self-kindness.
Heyo! I’m Casey. I’ve got a Masters in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling. As well as several flavors of neurodivergence. It’s my mission to help you integrate the lens of neurodivergence into your life in a way that allows you to grow and navigate change with confidence and intention.
