The Blessing of Neurodiversity (Especially in the Music Industry)

I’ve always felt that I was “different.”

I didn’t always understand why, but it was just this deep inner belief that I always had.

I know so many people can relate to this- but as a kid and in my early adult years it just felt so confusing and lonely.

Things that seemed natural and easy for the people around me felt so hard for me. I was a good student and got mostly A’s - but the pressure of having to do well and meet deadlines felt crippling at times.

As a young teen I was officially diagnosed with depression and anxiety. So once I started working full time in the music industry (at the ripe old age of 20), I had a bit more of an understanding of what was going on. But I still thought that as long as I had it “under control” - I should be able to function just like everybody else.

But it was still a struggle.

I was good at my job, I would get great reviews and had great relationships. Of course, there were some failures along the way, but for the most part I did well. And I would keep telling myself that as long as I kept my depression “under control” - I could fit in and pretend that I’m just like everyone else.

And yet, it still felt so hard. I would inevitably get burnt out and feel like I needed to make a change. 

Underneath it all, was a belief that there was something wrong with me.

In more recent years I received an additional diagnosis of ADHD..

It was a diagnosis I resisted for a while. Because I had an idea of what ADHD looked like and I didn’t think I fit the image I had in my brain.

Somewhere in the deep parts of my brain, it just confirmed that there was something wrong with me

But recently, I’ve been studying up on neurodiversity and its expanded definition including depression, anxiety, ADHD and a number of other things that used to be thought of as “disorders”. 

All of a sudden, I have a new understanding of my own brain and the MAGIC that comes with it.

I don’t think of them as disorders anymore.

Through lots of coaching and inner work, I now recognize them as part of my superpowers. They’re just part of the mosaic of things that make me ME.

What’s fascinating, is that I’ve become more and more aware that so many of my colleagues and clients in the music industry - both artists and professionals - also have neurodiverse brains.

And it makes so much sense. Neurodiversity is often associated with being “right brained” - which comes with creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Of course people like us are attracted to creative fields!

While there’s so much magic and power in having a neurodiverse brain, it still comes with its challenges - especially as we try to function in a society designed by and for the neurotypical (which IMHO is also a symptom of patriarchy… but more on that another time 😉)

And while creativity is celebrated and required and the music biz, so are high levels of productivity, time management, and “hustle.” 

It may be a creative industry - but it’s still an industry designed by a neurotypical and patriarchal framework.

I say it’s time to BUST THAT WIDE OPEN.

As our world moves towards valuing more inclusion and more diversity. it’s time we really CELEBRATE ALL of the things that make us diverse - including the wiring in our brains!

Stay tuned for some more insights on this and for tips and tricks on how to tap into your own brain’s magic and make your UNIQUE brain work FOR you and not against you… so you can have your greatest impact in this world.

And as always, if you’re mission-driven, working in the music industry and interested in 1:1 coaching for your own magic brain- send me a note and let’s make a time to chat!