Being Createfully Divergent

Neurodivergent is a term we’re hearing a lot these days. Most people think that the divergent part means different, but there is another definition that better speaks to the our experience. Divergent is the opposite of convergent. Convergent lines move towards a single point while divergent lines radiate outwards from a single point. The neurodivergent brain is uniquely expansive.

This expansion often means we’re told that we’re too much. I don’t believe that’s true. I think we simply experience more. We feel more, overthink more, care more and, most importantly, we take in more sensory input than our neurotypical peers. All that extra sensory perception needs to be processed and creativity serves as the output valve we need to relieve all the pressure that builds up inside our minds.

Without direction, though, our natural creativity can disrupt our lives. Rumination, rejection sensitivity and catastrophic thinking are all examples of how our creative abilities can leave us feeling exhausted, ashamed and hopeless.

I believe that a creative practice, of any kind, acts as an outlet for all our thoughts and feelings (and the thoughts and feelings we have about our thoughts and feelings). Its a way for us to explore all the strange and extraordinary parts of ourselves. and most importantly, its a entry point to learning how to live happily outside the lines.

Creativity isn’t just found in art, music and literature, though. It’s found in problem solving, idea generation and critical thinking. And that’s exactly how we need to use it if we want to live our best, neurodivergent lives. Our unique brains mean we need to create our own unique path. it’s not enough to be creative, we need to be createful.

And one more thing: diagnosis isn’t accessible to everyone, so whether you know you’re neurodivergent or just think you might be, you’re welcome in the Createfully Divergent Community, unless you’re a giant, hateful, twat waffle.

In that case, you can see yourself out.

‍ ‍