Embracing Neurodiversity: My journey to understanding & acceptance
Related posts
Teaser
Our Employee StoriesContent Type
Tst BlogPublish date
04/16/2024
Summary
Welcome back to our exciting new series, where we uncovering the diverse careers of people working at Three! We want to celebratethe uniqueness of each individual’s career journey, sharing stories tha
Teaser
Company updateContent Type
Press ReleasePublish date
01/26/2024
Summary
Three is well on its way to achieving gender balance, but there is more work to be done, especially around getting more women into tech, its chief people officer tells Ashleigh Webber. Like many emplo
Teaser
Our Employee StoriesContent Type
ArticlePublish date
01/11/2024
Summary
We have a new series, Inspiring Careers, where we are celebrating the uniqueness of an individual’s career journey. From sharing stories that inspire to igniting the spark of curiosity, join us in dis
Teaser
Company updateContent Type
Press ReleasePublish date
01/09/2024
Summary
Chelsea FC legends Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Eiður Guðjohnsen, and Gary Cahill took to the pitch at halftime alongside lifelong Chelsea fans, during Chelsea F.C. vs Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Each of
Neurodiversity is a concept that celebrates the wide spectrum of human neurological differences, and I am proud to be a part of this diverse world. In this article, I will share my personal journey as a neurodiverse individual, shedding light on the challenges, triumphs, and the importance of self-acceptance in navigating life with a unique neurology.
Growing up, I always felt that my brain operated differently from those around me. While my friends effortlessly grasped certain concepts or social dynamics, I often found myself struggling to keep up. It wasn't until later in life that I began to understand my neurodiversity and what it truly meant.
Now, working as someone who is categorised as “neurodiverse” is something that I no longer think about each day. It doesn’t consume my thoughts every day. It doesn’t make me unlikable. It doesn't make me unemployable. Instead, it allows me to fit into this world in a bit of a different way, I fit into it my way.
Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed as neurodiverse, it was a pivotal moment in my life that allowed me to embrace my neurodiversity, it marked the end of a long and often confusing journey although a hard pill to swallow (literally😉) with some required changes to my behavior and lifestyle it hasn’t affected my life as much as I thought it would. I was worried about how people would react, how my job would allow me to be different in the workplace, about the general perception in society of what my “illness” is, amongst a few. But living with this for the last year I’ve learnt a lot and that it doesn’t have to be scary to be different.
A few months after my diagnosis, I started my role here at Three, now a year on this journey through navigating my mental health to being the best I can be at work here are a few things I’ve learned to embrace:
- Self- Empowerment: I decided to educate myself on my diagnosis, understanding the condition, the triggers and how it affects my brain chemistry – this gave me a sense of empowerment. Knowledge quickly became a tool in managing my mental health.
- Seeking Treatment: I sought professional help and worked closely with mental health experts to develop a treatment plan tailored to my needs. Medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments have been vital components of managing it effectively.
- Building a Support System: I reached out to friends and family to educate them about my diagnosis. Their understanding and support have been invaluable so far.
- Redefining Success: I reevaluated my definition of success. Instead of comparing myself to neurotypical standards, I focused on setting realistic goals and celebrating small victories. This shift in perspective helped me alleviate the pressure to conform to social expectations.
There are real challenges to my diagnosis but there are also real strengths to it for example:
- Creativity: Many individuals have a heightened sense of creativity, it allows ideas to flow more freely, leading to artistic, literary and innovative breakthroughs.
- Resilience: Navigating the emotional aspect builds resilience. The ability to bounce back from adversity is a remarkable strength that many neurodiverse individuals possess.
Embracing my neurodiversity has transformed my life in profound ways. I've learned to appreciate the complexity of my mind, acknowledging that my “disorder” is just one aspect of my diverse neurology. It has made me more empathetic, compassionate, and determined to advocate for mental health awareness and acceptance.
By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others to embrace their neurodiversity, whatever your condition. Our unique neurologies make us who we are, and by understanding and accepting ourselves, we can lead fulfilling lives and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive society.
Related posts
Teaser
Our Employee StoriesContent Type
Tst BlogPublish date
04/16/2024
Summary
Welcome back to our exciting new series, where we uncovering the diverse careers of people working at Three! We want to celebratethe uniqueness of each individual’s career journey, sharing stories tha
Teaser
Company updateContent Type
Press ReleasePublish date
01/26/2024
Summary
Three is well on its way to achieving gender balance, but there is more work to be done, especially around getting more women into tech, its chief people officer tells Ashleigh Webber. Like many emplo
Teaser
Our Employee StoriesContent Type
ArticlePublish date
01/11/2024
Summary
We have a new series, Inspiring Careers, where we are celebrating the uniqueness of an individual’s career journey. From sharing stories that inspire to igniting the spark of curiosity, join us in dis
Teaser
Company updateContent Type
Press ReleasePublish date
01/09/2024
Summary
Chelsea FC legends Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Eiður Guðjohnsen, and Gary Cahill took to the pitch at halftime alongside lifelong Chelsea fans, during Chelsea F.C. vs Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Each of
Some of our roles
Salary
Location
Darlington, gb
Working Hours
37.5
Job Family
Retail Assistant Store Manager
Location
Darlington
Brand
Three UK
Job Type
Full-time
Description
Support the running of our retail stores and achieve KPI'sEnsure we always deliver unbeatable customer service and leading by exampleSupport a team in encouraging customers to enjoy our products - ens
Reference
2be19ecd-c78e-4b1c-98d5-dda19d557c33
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Shannen MuldownieAuthor
Shannen MuldownieSalary
Location
Edinburgh, gb
Working Hours
20
Job Family
Retail Customer Advisor
Location
Edinburgh
Brand
Three UK
Job Type
Part-time
Description
£12 per hour A brand new smartphone on an Unlimited data plan On-target bonus of 25%, paid out monthly based on your store's performance Individual bonus accelerators for high performers Great discoun
Reference
ca1dc839-1bd5-470f-b95f-68c9bb3bc0d7
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Shannen MuldownieAuthor
Shannen MuldownieSalary
Location
Ashton-Under-Lyne, gb
Working Hours
12
Job Family
Retail Customer Advisor
Location
Ashton-under-Lyne
Brand
Three UK
Job Type
Part-time
Description
£12 per hour A brand new smartphone on an Unlimited data plan On-target bonus of 25%, paid out monthly based on your store's performance Individual bonus accelerators for high performers Great discoun
Reference
708f5b4d-bd8c-4473-966d-73becd2213db
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Shannen MuldownieAuthor
Shannen MuldownieSalary
Location
Southport, gb
Working Hours
16
Job Family
Retail Customer Advisor
Location
Southport
Brand
Three UK
Job Type
Part-time
Description
£12 per hour A brand new smartphone on an Unlimited data plan On-target bonus of 25%, paid out monthly based on your store's performance Individual bonus accelerators for high performers Great discoun
Reference
6a3bdb81-9b0b-45a0-b78d-1abd95e3a0c6
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Shannen MuldownieAuthor
Shannen Muldownie