brushes and books: my blend

Exploring the balance between creativity and academia as a neurodivergent individual. Sharing strategies for managing energy, embracing special interests, and finding harmony in a busy student life.

trying out some gouache paints this past week.

Hey everyone!

I wanted to chat about how I juggle being neurodivergent, my love for art, and the demands of being a full-time student.

For many of us, creativity isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifeline! And I'm no different. Art helps us share our unique perspective with the world. But, balancing this passion with schoolwork can be a bit of a puzzle, especially when you're trying to manage your energy and keep perfectionism in check.

Here’s what works for me:

1. Special Interests are Key: I’ve learned my special interests are non negotiable. I always make time for my special interests. They keep me inspired and bring me joy. Having these in my day-to-day really helps recharge my mind.

2. Taking Breaks: I’m a big fan of taking frequent breaks. Quick pauses help prevent burnout and keep me focused, whether I'm working on school stuff or diving into a creative project. I always adjust my body in these quick moments of relaxation; do some stretching or maybe take a walk. It really helps!

3. Staying Active: Keeping physical activity and active stimming in the mix helps me manage my energy. Whether it's going for a walk or doing some stretches, it helps keep my mind clear. I also make a point to always sit and stim for a while in between intense learning or creative sessions. It helps keep my mind clear.

4. Energy Check: Balancing classwork and creativity means managing energy wisely. I try to prioritize what needs my attention based on how I’m feeling each day. Sometimes this means avoiding socializing even when I want to. Socializing takes away most of my surplus energy, making it hard to recover in the same day as completing my homework. Even when the people I’m socializing with are people I love, I still need to respect my neurodivergent need for solitude and silence.

5. Letting Go of Perfectionism: Perfectionism can be tricky. I remind myself that both art and academics are about the process. Allowing room for mistakes helps me grow and discover new things.

6. Finding My People: Connecting with other neurodivergent artists and students is a huge support. It’s great knowing there are others who get it.

By sharing this, I hope to give a peek into the ups and downs of blending creativity with school life as a neurodivergent person.

Thanks for stopping by to read! I’d love to hear your thoughts and how you balance it all in the comments.

Catch you later!

Lindsay

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