divergent

Di-ver-gent: tending to be different

The simplicity of this definition opens the door to inclusivity for all who have ever felt they were on the outside of acceptance. At Safely Divergent, we want to be a welcoming space. Each of us has likely experienced sore spots around our differing tendencies. If your environment or the people in it have ever made you feel “othered” - we see you.

We’re here to create a community where feeling “different” is not something to hide - but something to embrace and shout from the rooftops. Being socially marginalized, on the outside of what society deems “normal” can strip us of our inner sense of safety and that.. that doesn’t feel good. If we are stuck in a constant state of defense, it is extremely hard to become our authentic self. 

Our deepest belief - you deserve to love who you are. 

What is neurodiversity?

A central part of embracing our divergence is understanding neurodiversity. This concept refers to the natural variations in how our brains are wired. EVERY person you meet is different than you.The way they take in and interact with the world - different than you. The way they think - different than you. Their lived experiences - different than yours. No two people can ever be exactly alike. We are all neurodiverse.

Your neurotype—whether you’re neurodivergent or neurotypical—shapes the way we experience the world. Neurotypical individuals tend to experience the world in a way that aligns with societal expectations - efficient. Whereas, neurodivergent people, due to our synaptic pruning patterns (we’ll dig into this later), often process the world differently - more deliberate, measured.. slower. 

Neurodivergent is an umbrella term for people who process information differently than what is considered typical by our society. It encompasses labels such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, depression and C-PTSD - these are just a few of the 300+ diagnoses in the current diagnostic manual. While the medical model looks at these as disorders, neurodiversity helps us view these as differences. In this society, our differences can absolutely be disabling. This is why we want to hone in on our stressors and accommodate our needs. Understanding our neurotype is one of the first steps to lightening the load we so-often carry. 

From Labels to Accommodations

Identifying as neurodivergent—and understanding the label(s) that resonate with our personal experiences— can help give us language to describe our internal experiences. It can open doors to a community who can help us recognize that the struggles we face are not just random or personal failings, but part of a broader, shared experience. This can be an incredibly powerful tool in making sense of how we navigate the world. You are not on this island alone. 

What we so often see and really want to avoid—is identifying with a label but getting stuck in a circular reasoning loop. For example: "Ugh, I have ADHD, so I can’t focus." / "Why can’t you focus?" / "Because I have ADHD." / "Why do you have ADHD?" / "Because I can’t focus."/ And on and on and on. As you can see - this gets us nowhere but spinning on a merry-go-round.

Whether we identify with the umbrella term of neurodivergent or a more specific label, we want to use it to help us gain a better understanding of how we operate. From there - we get to accommodate our differing needs. 

Label → Understanding → Accommodations = Lighter Load, Happier Life

What Does It Mean to Become Safely Divergent?

Becoming Safely Divergent means we are learning to embrace our differences and to happily accommodate our needs. By doing so, we will move out of isolation and hurtful self-talk and into connection, community and a deep love for all that we are.

shine bright, be you ᡣ𐭩