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- Beany Brain Newsletter #15: Genre-fy and No-ify
Beany Brain Newsletter #15: Genre-fy and No-ify
Abigail Munday
November 13, 2024
Beany Brain: loving our jumping-bean brains!
Welcome to this issue of the Beany Brain! I hope today’s newsletter will bounce us up as we contemplate the upsides and challenges of being neurodivergent, a little beauty, some creativity, and just general yeehawesomeness.
Table of Contents
Yours beany truly (maybe 2019-ish)
Genre-fy
No, not gentrify. Genre-fy.
(And not genre-fry. Although I do get fried pretty easily.)
I’m talking about thinking about yourself.
This entire article about neurodivergency and being self-aware didn’t float my boat, but parts of it were helpful, such as this:
By recognizing our way of being, individuals can embrace their differences and better understand how it influences their experiences and perspectives.
And:
Embracing your unique traits is important. Many neurodivergent traits are assets, offering unique ways of processing information and solving problems. Learning about and embracing these strengths can boost self-esteem and provide a foundation for building self-awareness.
(And yes, the article recognized that neurodivergencies also pose challenges.)
I guess first we have to recognize that our brains are different. We’re NOT disordered. In fact, I don’t really like the term ASD (autism spectrum disorder). We’re not an anomaly—in fact, from what I’ve read, folks estimate that we make up between 8 and 20% of the population.
So.
We’re here. We take up space. We’re “different.”
I’ve read a lot about how neurotypicals should be more aware and accepting and accommodating of our brain differences. That happens (and doesn’t happen) in varying degrees and in varying spaces. We neurodivergent people are working on it. We’re raising awareness. (Another question is how much should we have to? How many spoons should we have to use up on this?)
The world is waking up.
And in the meantime, I am too.
I’m waking up to myself more and more.
With God’s help, research, support, and time, I’m becoming more me.
And so lately I’ve been asking myself: If I were a genre, what would that be?
I look at my Abigail-made Spotify playlists and I smile. Quirky and global and dance-ful and muse-ful music. That’s part of me.
The art that I gravitate toward: Colorful. Unusual. Playful. Bright. Deep. Meaningful.
What gives me energy? Creative projects. Checking off my lists. Reading. Quiet time. Writing.
When I look outward, who/what do I notice? Homeless folks. Lonely folks. Neurodivergent folks. Elderly folks. Poverty. Sadness. Creativity. Thrift. Perseverance. Resiliency.
Who do I admire? Those with testimonies. Those who are healing from trauma. Those who pray. Those who reach out. Those whose faces are shining with an inner joy. Those who don’t care what others think. Those who are funny.
What colors am I drawn to? Red. Green. Purple. Orange. Yellow. Turquoise. Pink.
What do I need? Quiet. Flavorful food. Time for recipe development. A soft place to read and think. The ocean and fresh air and salt spray. Cups of hot black tea. Snail mail. (Hint hint wink wink.) Library visits.
What do I enjoy doing for others? Cook. Send snail mail. Connect others with others. Plan doable (for me) events.
It all gets woven into the whimsical tapestry of Genre Abigail.
What is your genre?
Photo by Abigail Munday
Just Say No
While it’s imperative that everyone, whatever your neurotype, needs to say no, for neurodivergent people it’s absolutely crucial to have boundaries in place to avoid burnout.
The terms “neurodivergent,” “neurominority,” or “neurovariant” typically refer to individuals with a brain makeup that falls outside of the statistical majority of human neurotypes. Being a neurominority is not a problem, nor is it something to overcome. However, being a minority often means having to function within a world that is generally not designed by or for you.
The above quote comes from this article aimed toward those of us who are neurodivergent.
The author, Jasmine Badamo (educational counselor and executive functions tutor) also says this:
For some neurodivergent folk, it can be truly ground-breaking to ask themselves, “What about my environment or current activities is not working for me? What can I start to say ‘no’ to?” It’s an important step in learning more about yourself and how your brain works, and what is sustainable for you (not someone else).
That’s been the hardest part of my journey so far: learning what I like and don’t like, what my emotions actually are, and letting myself say no or yes to something that a neurotypical person might not.
For example, I might need to decline two outings within two days. Sometimes I use up all my spoons just to grocery shop—it’s a lot of sensory input.
Sometimes I need to say yes to a 20-minute nap for sanity’s sake. Or yes to reading a chapter in a book.
Learning to say no is grace.
Learning to say yes is grace.
It’s grace that I know my three neurodivergencies now.
And it’s grace that I know my own brain better.
Yeehawesome!
Yeehawesome! is a happy-brain roundup in each issue of Beany Brain. What’s happening that’s good in brain land? What’s bringing me joy?
I’m actually dumfungled right now, but there are parts of life that are still yeehawesome, and I continue to look for and notice those. God is helping me.
Snail mail. When I feel thankful, frustrated, angry, perturbed, concerned, joyful, I can write snail mail. This week I’m writing to President Biden to ask him to commute the federal death row sentences of 40 people before the next administration comes in, and I’m writing to other politicians as well. I write to friends, those in positions of authority, and anyone who comes to mind (I believe the Holy Spirit brings them to my consciousness). It’s helpful for me, and it feels concrete and substantial. I hope it’s even a little bit yeehawesome for those on the receiving end too.
Hooray for Andrew Davies finding out at 70 that he’s autistic and not broken! I know exactly how that feels. They estimate that more than 90% of autistic folks over 50 are undiagnosed. Once you know, honestly, it’s a huge relief. I was 47 when I found out and I cried tears of joy.
Kristin Kobes DuMez is a professor, historian, and author that I really respect. I sent her a poem I wrote relating to a live Zoom I had just watched (she was one of the hosts/speakers), and she wrote back almost immediately with this:
Beany Brownie Points and Extra Bonus Funniness
I’m Awesomesauce (Facebook)
Wonderful Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday was a day once a year in college when they would suddenly and surprisingly call off all classes and we’d play all day. The cafeteria provided special fun food and we’d do stuff outside like slip ‘n slides and jello wrestling in sumo suits. This segment of Beany Brain is dedicated to that memory of silliness and fun—no words, just a photo from the week that I’ve taken or found that reminds me to let the joy in. Since Beany Brain is published on Wednesday every week (at least, Wednesday in Japan), I hope you enjoy this Wonderful Wednesday.
Photo by Abigail Munday
Today’s Beany-full Summary:
Genre-fy yourself. What makes you tick? What brings you joy?
No and yes are grace. Which one do you need to say right now to save your spoons?
Go forth in Beany joy. What will help you feel yeehawesome this week?
Thank you for reading this installment of Beany Brain! You’re very welcome to hop on by any old time.
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