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A Neurodivergent Perspective on Showing Up for Loved Ones
How photography helps process sensory overload
A new cat café recently opened near my cousin’s house, and she was excited to check it out. She asked if I wanted to go with her, and my first instinct was to say no. I have never been a fan of cats, maybe even a little afraid of them. But my neurodivergent mind focused on something else. I didn’t want to disappoint her.
Living with a neurodivergent brain often means finding a balance between personal comfort and the needs of others. I value my relationships, and even when something makes me uncomfortable, I sometimes agree just to avoid upsetting someone I care about. It is not about people-pleasing in the usual sense, but rather a quiet way of showing love, even when it takes a toll on me. So I said yes, but only after confirming that the cats were in a separate room with a glass partition keeping them apart from the café space.
When we arrived, my cousin ordered a hazelnut cappuccino, and I ordered my usual black coffee. When her drink came, it was vanilla instead of hazelnut, and she was not happy. She went on a long, frustrated rant, making her…
