my experience as a neurodiverse artist (part one)

disorganization, forgetfulness, and social awkwardness.

Living with neurodivegence, ADHD among other things, affects my art at every level.

I have looked for statistics on the relationship between neurodivergence and artists, since there seems to be a connection. Both artists and neurodivergent people see the world differently. Many artists are neurodivergent.

Instead of statistics, which elude me, I thought I’d share my own thoughts and experiences, using a quote from Keath Low, MA, a specialist in ADHD, as an outline.

This is the first in a series of short posts on my experience with ADHD. If this topic is of interest, be sure to subscribe to ensure you don’t miss a post.

“A female with ADHD may … present … symptoms such as being disorganized, scattered, forgetful, introverted, withdrawn and socially isolated…”

-being disorganized

I am definitely disorganized. I don’t prioritize organization enough, and I like to have my projects where I can see them. I feel the most productive when I can sit down and start working on a drawing or a writing project, with all my materials close at hand. My tea, my pens, scrap paper, my books.

On the other hand, I don’t like living in a pigsty. I hate things that are stinky or sticky, and if there is too much in my work area, I can start to get overwhelmed. Picking things up and putting them in order is a calming exercise when I occasionally get around to it.

I often wish I was tidier and more organized, like my mom, who is well known among her friends for being organized. My roommate probably wishes I was more organized too… when she cleans the room, I seem to instantly make it messy again.

-scattered, forgetful.

I am naturally scattered and forgetful, but my mom and other people have taught me tools to stay on top of things. I’ve mentioned my use of a bullet journal before on Flight Patterns. I also set an absurd amount of reminders and alarms on my phone. Sticky notes are my friends— even if I lose the note, the act of writing down information helps me remember it.

-introverted, withdrawn, socially isolated

This is an descriptor that I don’t identify strongly with. I would describe myself as a gregarious, outgoing person.

However, it can be difficult to make and keep friends, because I can come across as weird. I’ll get passionate about things and that is intimidating to some people. Following fashion trends does not come naturally, and many people discriminate so much based on looks. In the end I usually hang out with the people who act, dress, and think just as odd as I do.

In the next post in this series (up in two weeks) I’ll be talking about focus and distraction. In the mean time, I welcome your input. Do you have a story of neourodivergance? Do you have questions wou want answered? Let me know in the comments below!