Embracing My Neurodivergence: How Understanding My Unique Mindset Unlocked My Potential.

Growing up, I was always the last one to fall asleep and the kid who couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble at school. Every school I attended, even the one where my father taught, saw me frequent the dean’s and principal’s offices. My teachers recognized that I was smart, but they’d often catch me daydreaming or being disruptive, my attention drifting away from the lesson. It wasn’t until later in life that I discovered something crucial about myself—I’m neurodivergent.

For those unfamiliar, being neurodivergent means that my brain functions differently from what society considers “typical.” One aspect of this difference involves dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in our ability to focus and feel motivated. People like me often have lower levels of dopamine, which drives us to seek out thrills and stimulation, sometimes in unconventional ways.

As everyone around me indulged in drinking and smoking, I noticed something peculiar about myself—my personality would shift drastically when I was drunk or high. High, I became so goofy it was almost unmanageable, to the point where I once had to excuse myself from a studio session with Nipsey just to avoid damaging my reputation. When I drank, however, I became aggressive, with anger boiling over into confrontations and fights. Friends would urge me to chill, and eventually, I realized they were right—alcohol wasn’t for me. There was something within me that reacted differently, something not everyone else experienced.

I was always intensely focused on tasks I loved, but I couldn’t bring myself to perform tasks that felt remedial or lacked passion. Holding down a traditional job was a struggle; my mind couldn’t tolerate the monotony of doing the same thing over and over. Creativity was my lifeblood, and without it, I’d sink into a state of depression. Many like me are drawn to entrepreneurship, and we excel at it because we’re wired differently. I’ve always known I didn’t think like everyone else, and now that I understand this, I’ve learned how to operate in life on my terms.

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that understanding my neurodivergence wasn’t just about managing symptoms; it was about recognizing that my brain operates differently. This difference, once seen as a hindrance, has become a cornerstone of my success, especially in the world of entrepreneurship. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole—that’s how I felt for much of my life. But now, I realize there’s no such thing as “normal.” In fact, those who achieve greatness often don’t fit into the mold of what society considers normal.

To anyone who feels like they’re a square peg in a round hole, know this: your uniqueness is your strength. Embrace who you are, understand how your mind works, and use that knowledge to carve out your path. In a world that often values conformity, it’s the outliers who drive innovation and change. By embracing my neurodivergence, I’ve learned that the very things that made me feel different are the same things that make me exceptional.

Understanding my neurodivergence has allowed me to embrace who I am, and that’s the key to unlocking my potential. In doing so, I’ve discovered that true success and fulfillment come from being authentic and unapologetically yourself.