I might be Neurodivergent!

Greetings all

I hope you’re well and happy. In the last week or so, I’ve come to a realisation: If I’m to enjoy life, I need to be much more honest with myself and with those around me about my thoughts and feelings. As a man, I have been successfully programmed to think that it’s weak and pathetic to do this. I think this is particularly the case among Black men in the West (and maybe elsewhere). Popular culture depictions of Black men is dominated by cartoonish hyper-masculinity, where men are defined by sexual virility and power over others (usually other Black men). And in our families and friend circles, it’s not really acceptable to be vulnerable and to confess to struggling emotionally and/or mentally.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that western popular culture has probably gone a bit over the top with all of the touch-feely stuff. There’s possibly a bit of a snowflake culture developing where people are encouraged to obsess over ever perceived wrong. But in my own life, I’m learning that if I continue to ignore how I’m feeling, and especially if I don’t take the time to express myself to others - I’ll just slowly deteriorate on the inside.

So I’m starting on a journey of self-discovery to understand myself better. I don’t have full worked-out ideas about this, but I do think I’ve made a significant realisation recently: I appear to be much more sensitive to the environment around me that most people I know. Even this sounds a bit pathetic, doesn’t it? Over-sensitivity sounds pathetic, I know. But please check out my latest video below in which I explain what I mean in a bit more detail. It’s the start of a journey for me and I imagine that some of what I discuss might resonate with some of you, and if so I’d love to hear your thoughts.