Neurodivergent symbol

Neurodivergent symbol aka “The Rainbow Infinity Sign” is a symbol that embodies the infinite diversity and possibilities within the neurodivergent community, highlighting that neurological differences are natural variations of the human experience. It was created in the 1990s by a sociologist called Judy Singer who was part of the neurodiversity movement.

The Rainbow Infinity Sign

Overview

A few years ago, I came to the realisation that I experienced a lot of traits of neurodivergence. Juggling between symptoms of ADHD and Autism, I wondered where my habits might have stemmed from.

Especially in women, they can appear quite similar and often go masked well into adulthood. My therapist recommended that I schedule a test for both, to understand myself better. 

Unfortunately, the test was too expensive, not covered by my insurance, and of course I had to wait over four months to take it. So ultimately, all this time led me to research so much more. 

Amongst my research, I kept coming across this rainbow infinity symbol. And eventually this symbol became a part of my rabbit hole! I wanted to find out more about it and why the neurodivergent community connected to it. 

Origins of the Rainbow Infinity Sign

The concept of neurodiversity, which recognizes and respects neurological differences as part of human diversity, has its roots in the late 1990s.

The rainbow infinity sign emerged as a symbol to unite individuals with various neurological conditions, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more.

The choice of the infinity symbol reflects the limitless potential of neurodivergent individuals, while the rainbow colours signify inclusivity and the spectrum of neurological diversity.

Significance of the Neurodivergent Symbol

The rainbow infinity sign serves several important purposes within the neurodivergent community and beyond:

1. Representation and Visibility: The symbol provides a visual representation for neurodivergent individuals, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.
2. Awareness and Acceptance: It promotes awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity, encouraging society to value and accommodate neurological differences.
3. Unity and Solidarity: The symbol unites people across various neurodivergent conditions, creating a collective identity and shared advocacy efforts.
4. Celebration of Diversity: It celebrates the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodivergent individuals bring to the world, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions.

The Impact of the Neurodivergent Symbol

How to Support Neurodiversity

Supporting neurodiversity goes beyond recognizing the symbol; it involves active efforts to create an inclusive environment:

Wrapping Up

The rainbow infinity sign, or the neurodivergent symbol, is a powerful emblem of neurodiversity. It not only represents the diverse neurological experiences of individuals but also advocates for a more inclusive and accepting society.

By understanding and embracing this symbol, we take a step towards recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of neurodivergent individuals.

Let’s celebrate and support neurodiversity, fostering a world where everyone can thrive.

Many of those from the neurodivergent community use this symbol to gather connection, empowerment, community, and pride.

It’s a way for us to feel connected to the community and feel as if it’s okay to have our brain function in a different way than the norm. So hopefully the next time this symbol creeps up across your feed, you’ll know the history and meaning behind it!

Three years ago, I was in a constant state of disarray because I had no idea what I was doing with my life.

I called it my “quarter-life” crisis. It began four months after graduating college, which, in my mind, was the most fucked-up part.

Isn’t this first year or two after graduating supposed to be the most hopeful, imaginative, and inspiring years? Shouldn’t you get at least two years before the next phase of adulthood dread and more real life problems set in?

Finally, I had the opportunity and the time to explore anything I wanted to.

But what was that?

Needless to say, that period after graduating when you slowly start to realize the world you’re going to live in for the rest of your life can be really confusing. In this article I’ll share my experience with a life coach as a young adult.

Life coach for young adults

I felt the optimism of knowing there were endless opportunities out there for me, but at the same time, a hidden sense of despair clouded my ability to embrace them.

I wasn’t giving myself permission to take real risks. So, I was stuck in a confusing space where:

● I didn’t know what I wanted to do

● Couldn’t give myself permission to truly dive in and explore my options.

But after my year in Spain, I still felt the same way I did after graduating. I described it to my friends as feeling like an astronaut free-floating in space—directionless, adrift, and without a tether.

It was coming up on two years of feeling this way now.

I had no clue what I wanted in terms of my career, my relationships, or anything really about my future. I realized I needed to take charge and tether myself to something, but I had no idea what that something should be. 

The 1st session

During my adventure in Spain, a friend introduced me to an old business professor of theirs who was also a life coach.

I had no idea what coaches were, what they did, or had ever been to one before.

He recommended this mentor with a really positive endorsement and shared his personal experience, so I thought, “Why not? What do I have to lose?”

I remember taking a video call with her on my lunch break in the middle of my semi-corporate day job.

I snuck into a seldom-used room, put my headphones on, and settled in for the call. She prefaced our conversation by saying:

Then she asked me, “What would be the most ideal outcome from this session?”

I told her I’d love to get a crystal clear clarity on what I should be doing with my life.

She chuckled and proceeded with our session. We spoke about many things, from my parents to my relationships and the expectations I was upholding.

The questions she asked me

My biggest takeaway came when we started to talk about change and giving ourselves the permission to change.

After listening to me describe my endeavours over the last few years, she asked me a question that seemed a bit random at first:

I nodded, picturing dark wash skinny jeans from Hollister and a red chiffon shirt from Wet Seal with studded gold spikes along the collar. I had no idea where she was going with this…

“Would you wear that outfit today?” she asked. I shook my head, realizing how out of place that style felt now.

“Do you have a favourite outfit now?” she continued. I thought about my current favourite, a simple blue dress I thrifted recently, and slowly started to realize where she was going with this.

“And do you think you’ll still want to wear that outfit in ten years?” she asked. I shook my head again. 

“Exactly,” she said. “You were a different person in each of these phases, and you’ll continue to evolve and grow into new ones. Each version of yourself makes choices based on their present and past.”

My biggest takeaway

Just as I had outgrown my fashion choices, I had also outgrown the career decisions and expectations I once held for myself.

If I can accept that my tastes and preferences change over time, why couldn’t I accept that my career path might change as well? 

This one-hour session was truly life-changing.

Something I had been struggling with for more than two years slowly came to resolve in this session.

It became clear to me that it was okay to change direction and to let go of the expectations that no longer fit the person I had become. If you’re feeling lost in your 20s like I did, check out my mental health guide for “Gen Zs”

My experience with this life coach for young adults provided a unique advantage that therapy did not. While therapy had helped me understand and heal from past experiences, it was my coaching session that offered a new perspective on my future aspirations. 

In this session we concentrated on where I want to go rather than where I’ve been, and since I had addressed many of my emotional barriers in therapy I was able to bridge the gap between introspection and actionable change.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but this session gave me a perspective that I still carry with me a year later. 

Earlier this year, my partner and I kept getting into the same fight over and over again.

Now, parts of this fight boiled down to the fact that I was uncomfortable with allowing him to have his sacred alone time.

Whether you’re single and trying to connect with others, or if you’re in a steady relationship, allowing a comfortable amount of time and space for your partner to explore their own unique individuality is an integral facet of honouring them!  

Consciously, I would try my best to give him this space. 

But subconsciously, my inner child was screaming: “Ahh, he doesn’t love me! He’s going to abandon me!” 

And when your subconscious and conscious monologues don’t line up, that’s when chaos begins to seep in. That’s also when I decided, maybe this is a good time to book a session with my therapist. She might be able to offer a perspective that we haven’t been able to uncover yet. 

My healing journey

And so when I sat down to speak with my therapist, she mentioned the different attachment styles and how this was a characteristic of an anxious attachment.

Now, I’ve taken the quiz and knew what she was talking about, but I never really fully accepted or felt the pull to explore this facet of me that feels insecure in a relationship. 

Because, it had never been too much of a problem before. But, for the sake of my relationship now, I had to!

I began exploring and researching a lot more about anxious attachment styles and how to slowly start to heal this aspect of me. I talk more about it in my mental health guide for “Gen Zs”.

Like most things in psychology, it stems from a childhood need that wasn’t met and became internalised. And as an adult, I saw it as my responsibility to go back and become aware of what was happening and how it was affecting the way I form relationships.

I am a reader; I always have been!

I began to explore this attachment through a few books. I believe books can have an incredible power to transform our understanding of ourselves and our relationships.

For those grappling with an anxious attachment style, the right books can offer profound insights and practical strategies to foster healing and growth. 

In this article

I plan to explore 5 books that provided me a lot of guidance while navigating and healing from an anxious attachment style. These books are not just informative; they are transformative, helping you build healthier, more secure relationships. So, let’s dive into these essential reads!

1. Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find – and Keep – Love by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller

 “Attached” is a foundational literature for understanding attachment theory and its impact on relationships.

Levine and Heller break down complex psychological concepts into easy-to-understand language, offering readers practical strategies to form and maintain healthy relationships. 

2. Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Dr. Sue Johnson

Dr. Sue Johnson’s “Hold Me Tight” introduces readers to Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a groundbreaking approach to relationship therapy.

Through seven key conversations, Johnson helps couples develop a deeper emotional connection and a stronger, more secure bond.

3. Attached to God: A Practical Guide to Deeper Spiritual Experience by Krispin Mayfield

“Attached to God” blends attachment theory with spirituality, offering readers a unique approach to healing.

Mayfield explores how our attachment styles influence our relationship with God and provides practical steps to enhance spiritual growth and healing.

4. Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner’s Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship by Stan Tatkin

Stan Tatkin’s “Wired for Love” combines neuroscience with attachment theory to help couples build stronger, more resilient relationships.

By understanding how the brain influences behaviour, readers can learn to defuse conflicts and foster a secure, loving connection.

5. The Power of Attachment: How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate Relationships by Diane Poole Heller

Diane Poole Heller’s “The Power of Attachment” delves into the intricacies of attachment wounds and offers a well-rounded approach to healing tackling several areas of wellness.

Heller provides readers with practical tools and exercises to develop deeper, more secure intimate relationships.

Wrapping Up

Healing from an anxious attachment style is a journey, but the right resources can make all the difference.

These 5 books on anxious attachment offer a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies to help you understand and overcome anxious attachment, paving the way for healthier, more secure relationships.

Reading about this topic definitely helped with my healing journey. Specially in times when I was feeling lost and incapable of dealing with it by myself. I hope it will help you with your journey as well! 🙂