Best tool for Neurodiverse Creatives.
How many of us are stuck in a season of life, trying to make it? 🤚🏾 Yup! I’ve been there too! Days after drafting this article, I was in the same place. That was until I visited my younger self.
Allow me to explain!
What is a Neuro-Creative?
A “Neuro-Creative” is a creative practitioner with different brain functionality and behavioural traits, typically: Autism, Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Dyspraxia. In short, a catch-all term to describe neurodiverse, creative individuals with unique gifts and neurological geniuses.
It’s no secret. Many familiar with my work know I am Dyslexic. I was diagnosed with Dyslexia at age 7 and didn’t find out I was on the spectrum for Autistic tendencies until well into 35. 👀
My whole world was revolutionised by this information. Did it change anything? No, not particularly. After reeling for 2–3 weeks of processing.
I felt empowered, refreshed, brand new again. After reflecting, and therapy, the revelation of my unique power gave me a lot more boldness than I had before.
The power of Threads
Have You heard? About the hip new happening platform called Threads, by the team at Instagram? Allow me to tell you about it! It’s a rich, friendly, inclusive, health-conscious community of creatives ACTUALLY relating to one another, and building in public (sharing raw thoughts/production techniques for thriving as a creative).
Personally, it has been such a healthy space to learn, grow and build community. Sure, I might not be at 100K followers 😅 but a good Thread can easily land you with 100–500 views on a good day!
Now, that is progress!
During my stint on the platform, I have been fortunate enough to connect with some wholesome creatives. My fabulous friend, JM Testa, who is an incredible author and writer. And! The epic Meighan L. O’Toole, Notion Ambassador extraordinaire.
🤫 Shhh! They don’t know I mentioned them here. So, go give them both a follow and tell’em I sent ya!
Meighan is who suggested I give the Notion app a try. And boy! Was I surprised? Finally, I have a work management system that did three things for me:
- A calm user-friendly UI/UX
- Robust set of features to help me stay organized
- Capable of being as complex as my mind, but organized
Finally, I could write, plan, organize and play they way I wanted.
Unlock Your Creative Spark With Notion
Now, that we got that out of the way. Let’s talk about why I recommend Notion to manage your life, projects and really! Whatever you need to manage.
This was a game changer, for someone such as myself. Note-taking was, quite literally, my kryptonite. The idea of taking notes used to make me feel inferior.
As if it somehow made me less worthy.
Post-discovery of the Notion app, it’s a whole different kettle of fish. 🎉
Here’s a quick glimpse at my notion 😅 Yes! As you can see I have multiple boards, notes, projects, articles EVERYTHING! All tucked neatly outside my head.
How I Organize My Thoughts?
From a neurological point, this has allowed me to offload the notes from my brain into a workflow. Genius! Depending on variables like how you were raised, work culture habits, examples seen etc.
A lot of Neurodiverse creatives typically amass huge portions of ideas, plans and workflow in their heads. Picture it like a Fortune 500 company the size of Silicon Valley, but inside your head.
Better yet, it’s like NASA living inside your brain, plus multiple subdivisions exploring different regions of space all at the same time. 🤯
Anyway, you get the point! There is a lot going on all at one time.
Notion app is powerful! You don’t even have to make things up from scratch. There is a library of pre-made templates created to ease you into the process.
As a user, you have the opportunity to create boards, documents or projects based on a topical need. For example, say you need a podcast show project. No problem! Hop over to search bar, type in “podcast show” and hey presto! Search results provide a number of template examples to choose from. All for the cost of $FREE!!! 😲
Truth is, I am not here to convince you, but share a tool I have been using for two months, that has transformed the way I work and think about my creative practices.
There is nothing wrong with needing a little help.
Dare to Dream
I’m here to invite you to create, laugh and play. Much of what we do as creators is about playing. This is a God-given part of what makes us unique.
The ability to create or bring stories to life. Often, I say that Neuro-Creatives are the heart beat of our world. Without the creative genius of Neurodiverse people, life would be boring, everything would be one colour.
Today, I dare you to look beyond, stretch your creative arms and legs and continue to create.
When drafting this article, I thought to myself, Smart! No one will want to read this!? But I rejected that notion (pun not intended), there is someone out there struggling the way that I did.
Creators who have felt othered even within creative spaces. This is a love letter to you. You are not alone on your journey and your life, light and talent mean something.
Do the Impossible!
If you want to kickstart your creative practice momentum, Notion is a great place to call home.
Notions Co-Founder & CEO Ivan Zhao
says,
“There’s no final pixel-perfect design. It’s like 90% perfect.”
Notion isn’t the perfect tool, but it’s a powerful tool to Write, plan, collaborate, and get organized.
So, give it a try! If you are interested in checking out Notion? I have a special referral link you can use which can help ease your sign-up process and give you 50% off if you want to upgrade!
If you enjoyed reading this, be sure to leave a clap 👏🏾 and comment. Follow me on YouTube, Threads, and consider joining my ✨ Creator Newsletter. To stay up to date on all things Destiny, creative life and encouragement.
“No matter what you are facing at this moment in time, you can do all things! Stay safe, and God speed!”