 I would like to start off by saying I am talking to you as well as myself in this post especially. I write this blog to talk about my experiences and sort out my thoughts and feelings in hopes of helping someone with NVLD who can relate to what I'm going through. Do you ever get so overwhelmed and stressed you can't make decisions? ✋🏻 My latest struggle is figuring out whether I want to go back to my job or not in the fall. I started looking for something full-time in the summer. I got close with a couple places I applied for, but didn't get the job. Getting rejected twice brought up negative feelings, but also positive feelings. I believe that the reason I didn't get those jobs is because the universe knows I'm where I'm meant to be. The rejection gave me the redirection of looking into babysitting since I miss the kids. I was having trouble figuring out if I like my job because I was so focused on all the challenges that came up for me from the get-go that I didn't want to listen to my mom when she said this is a good job for me. Taking time to think about what she said, I realized I had good memories and things I enjoyed about where I work! I need to slow down, give myself grace to enjoy the journey, and not take everything so personally. I need to learn how to let things roll off my back and not let little things interfere with something I might enjoy. My ultimate goal in life is to build a heart-centered community with the intention of supporting parents, children, teens, young adults, and adults through their NVLD journey and be THE girl to help self-publishers share their personal development, self-help, NVLD, and spirituality blogs, books, podcast scripts, podcast show notes, and newsletters with freelance copyediting and proofreading services . That's why being a para and building a publishing company is perfect for me! Takeaways: (insert belief) is always working behind the scenes to put you where you're meant to be Find positivity when you feel lost There are times that you find something new to believe in Your belief knows better about what you want than you do, which is when you need to have faith in what you believe Reflection Questions: What do you call the source of what you believe in? What helps you find positivity when you're lost? Have you had an experience when what you believe in knew better about what you wanted then you did? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, anything related to where you are on your journey 🙂 https://www.fiverr.com/s/qDVL8Xl
0 Comments
 FYI: When writing this post I'm talking to myself as much as I'm talking to you. I'm NOT an expert on NVLD. I'm an individual who lives with NVLD and shares her thoughts, feelings, and experience. This post is meant for suggestions, not the end-all-be-all. Something that I try or works for me may not work for you. You're the only one that can determine what works for you. Transitioning into young adulthood can be challenging, confusing, and overwhelming. I know I'm I'm in the boat of wondering if I'll be able to be on my own with the challenges, confusion, and overwhelming feelings that come with being independent. When I turned 18, I thought I had to figure everything out at once because everyone "gets' it. The truth is, nobody has it figured out and there's no timeline to follow. Instead I'm taking baby steps by making my own appointments, using Uber, learning to solve problems when they arise, having a job, and working on a business 1. Changes that occur:
- Executive Function
- Gross Motor Skills - Fine Motor Skills - Visual-Spatial Deficit Tips:
- Friendship is difficult; you have to keep putting yourself out there - Romantic relationships will test your overthinking and communication Tips:
REMEMBER You're brave when going down a path that's different from your peers 4. Wins, Strengths, and What Works NVLD comes with unique strengths. Anything language related like writing, reading (except comprehension), etc. is your friend. If you're interested in something, you get fixated; if something doesn't interest you, the information will psychologically fall out of your head. Auditory memory is strong. You will have traits like detail-oriented thinking, desire to help others, empathy, understanding, patience, and kindness. Skills will include ability to generate creative verbal ideas. Reminders: Celebrate progress in a way that feels right to you Asking for help shows strength not weakness Building a support system can be the key to success 5. Conclusion: It's okay to go at your own pace. There's no timeline and you're never behind. It's ok to be in the learning phase and not knowing everything. Success doesn't have one meaning. It looks different for everyone. I think knowing your why leads to success. Adulthood isn't a straight line. There are going to be up, downs, twists, and turns. Even when you have moments where you think you're not doing enough or being enough, take a second to take a step back, breathe, and start again. You can restart as many times as you need to. If this resonates with you, I'm in the same boat. Know that this is a safe space for you to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences surrounding NVLD. Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, anything related to where you are on your journey 🙂 Link to related posts: https://www.juliesneverland.com/nvld-blog/what-is-nvld https://www.juliesneverland.com/nvld-blog/make-the-most-of-your-20s
 Lately I've been going trough a lot emotionally including:
8.Arts/Crafts 9. Following inspiring people:
Which ideas resonate with you? What inspires you? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, tips/tricks, anything related to where you are on your journey 😃
 Are you in your 20s? Does this time in your life bring up thought-provoking questions? For me personally, being a 20-something makes me want to truly begin my life, take steps to becoming who I'm meant to be, and creating the life I want! I want to use this time of my life to explore who I am, take small steps to figure out my professional path, find and build relationships, prioritize myself, see the world, gain real-life experience, find harmony between doing what needs to be done and having fun, make mistakes and learn from them, learn what's in and out of my control, and fail and learn what I can do better. This is my time to enjoy the present and not let the past or future deter me from what I want! I'm going to give myself permission to explore who I am and do what makes me happy without the guilt of not doing what I'm supposed to be doing.
Do you have a professional dream that you feel scared to go after? Do you overwhelm yourself with all the steps? Give yourself grace to make a plan, map out the steps, and make the dream happen! There's not a timeline to follow. Take steps that feel right to you and enjoy the process. Be gentle with yourself while working through the stages to make your dream come true! Relationships are one of the most important aspects of life. Making new relationships and maintaining the ones you have come with challenges, but worth it for the right people! Ways to find your people:
Reflection Questions: What suggestions above resonate with you? How do you want to make the most of your 20s? What do you want to prioritize in this stage of your life? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, tips/tricks, anything related to where you are on your journey 😃
 Because NVLD comes with challenges like visual-spatial deficit, non-verbal communication, executive function, and coordination, discovering your dream career can feel impossible. The real, honest truth is you can do anything you set your mind and heart to! This is something I struggle with and think others do too. One thing I'm discovering is you can forge your own path. Instead of a traditional career, you can make your own business or freelance. Here are 7 tips to help you thrive in a career you love: 1. Know your superpowers Take time to explore what you're naturally good at Common strengths include:
2. Identify challenges so you can work with them instead of against them Common challenges:
3. Explore what feels aligning Find roles where your strengths can shine and challenges are supported. Ideas:
6. Look for mentorship & community 7. Redefine success on your own terms As you read this post, remember that you're not broken; you're different Reflection Questions: Which tips resonates with you? What tips would you add? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, tips/tricks, anything related to where you are on your journey 😃
 Are you thinking about, in the process, or already moved out? Being on your own is a mix of excitement, fear, anxiety, overwhelm, and freedom. When you have NVLD it can feel out of reach, but you have to remember that it's possible! Struggles with executive function, spatial awareness, coordination, and social understanding can bring up new challenges to navigate, but with the help of your support system, you can work on real-life skills like cooking, cleaning, budgeting, transportation, and scheduling with a mix of personal growth skills like mindset and self-care to make the transition easier and more empowering. Break down overwhelming tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Executive Function
Nonverbal Cues:
- Church groups (if applicable) - Sports - Girl/Boy Scouts - Schools clubs - Join online groups Create your own FB group
Tips:
Even if you're independent, you're not a failure if you ask for help. Not behind if you have to do things differently. Remember that this is you foraging your own path and doing what's right for you! Reflection Questions: What tips do you have for being on your own? What are you working on? Where are you when it comes to independence? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, tips/tricks, anything related to where you are on your journey 😃
 Disappointment is inevitable. When you have NVLD, the emotions can feel like a bigger volcanic explosion. Whether it's family, friends, romantic partner, job, career, personal, anything, it can be a mixture of emotions - frustration, confusion, sadness, and self-doubt; wondering if you're good enough. Processing change, emotional regulation, and seeing the bigger picture are struggles of NVLD. Disappointment can feel like it'll last forever rather than a change in direction. Setbacks don't define you. I experienced disappointment recently and working through feelings of frustration, sadness, and wondering if I'm good enough. I keep hearing move forward and I won't be where I am forever. Logically I know it's true, but emotionally I just want to feel my feelings and not feel like I'm on a timeline. 1. Acknowledge Feelings Write down how you're feeling Talk to someone you trust Try using a Feelings Chart 2. Break free from All-or-Nothing thinking 3. Create a Step-by-Step Plan Forward 4. Lean on your Support System 5. Rejection is Redirection Working through disappointment is tough. With NVLD there's an added layer. Every challenge is a chance to learn from your mistakes, grow through what you go through, and prove to yourself how strong you are. Keep going - your story isn't over yet. Reflection Questions: What is your most recent disappointment? How do you work through disappointment? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, tips/tricks, anything related to where you are on your journey 😃
 Do you struggle with believing in yourself or finding your strengths? I know I do! You're not alone. This guide gives practical ways to build confidence and embrace your journey. 1. Know Your Strengths & Embrace Them NVLD has challenges, but also one of your greatest strengths! Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on what you excel at. Strengths can include:
2. Reframe Negative Self-Talk Instead of Focusing on "I cant's", Focus on "I can".
5. Learn to Self-Advocate
Reflection Question: How have you built confidence? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, tips/tricks, anything related to where you are on your journey 😃
 Navigating life after high school can be a lot. When you have NVLD, there's another layer. Changes can be overwhelming and exciting 😃 Changes you can expect between high school and adulthood are - More independence (phone calls, making appointments, keeping track of prescriptions, handling insurance, food orders, etc. ) - Relationships needing more attention (family, friends, & romantic) - New challenges executive function skills (task management, time management, paying attention, organizing, planning, prioritizing, starting & completing tasks, understanding different points of view, regulating emotions, processing information, multi-step directions, change in rules/routines, overly emotional; fixate on things, achieving goals, focus, adapting to change & transitions, problem-solving, following directions, etc.) - Learning self-advocacy - Figuring out what's next (college, job, doing life on your own terms) - Driving/public transportation
- Learn to easily explain NVLD - Find disability resources in school, work, and career - Self-confidence - Keep trying a task until you get it; don't quit - Don't let people do everything for you; even if you don't do it perfectly - Practice a new interest until you get it - Ask to be told/showed how to do something; then do it yourself - Teach someone else the thing you know how to do - Put yourself in other person's shoes - NEVER ASSUME - Be grateful for every worker - Be Kind - Pay attention to others around you - does someone need a kind word - Growth - Practice texting with family & friends - Consider others' feelings with your words - Try to assess if someone meant to hurt your feelings or upset with the situation - Write in notebook or email back & forth with family & friends
- Use digital calendar - Use timer/phone - Get a watch - Use Post-Its - Dry erase calendar/board - Create routines that work for your lifestyle - Break down big tasks into small, manageable steps - Set up reminders and alarms - Stop, breathe, & think - How do I feel? - Why do I feel this way? - How do I not feel this way? - KNOW when you need a reset
- Stay connected - Be open to meeting new people - Find like-minded communities - Clubs (4-H and school) - Interest Groups (church; if applicable and Girl & Boy Scouts) - Sports - Events - Online Communities (create group) - Practice Social Cues Emotional: - Set Boundaries - Self-Care (don't forget about YOU!) - Journaling - Write to yourself - Stream-of-consciousness - Write to someone who has passed on - Use photos & describe how you felt - Write when you're upset & don't know why - Gratitude - Art - Strengths - Take a break & step away - Use headphones or book when you're feeling overwhelmed
- Be upfront about accommodations - Take notes to create structure - Step-by-step instructions - Mentor or trusted coworker as guide College - Disability Services - Front of class - Audio recordings or typed notes if handwriting is difficult - Study Group
- Give yourself Grace - Lean into strengths - Stay flexible NVLD has its struggles, but also what makes you unique. The transition from high school to adulthood is a journey in itself of self-discovery, independence, and growth. You can navigate this chapter with confidence! Reflection Questions: - What’s been your biggest challenge? - What's been your biggest win? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, tips/tricks, anything related to where you are on your journey 😃
When you find out you have Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) it can be easy to focus on all the challenges you encounter on a day-to-day basis. - Spatial Awareness -Nonverbal Social Cues (facial expressions, hand gestures, body language, tone of voice, and eye contact - Executive Functioning (organization, planning, focusing, achieve goals, self-control, attention, memory, problem-solving, and change - Abstract Math (Geometry, fractions & decimals, greater than & less than, and understanding part/whole relationships) - Time & Money - Multi-Step & Story Problems - Graphs, Maps, & Charts - Misaligning Columns - Coordination We as a community forget about our strengths. The most powerful thing you can do is lean into passions and interests! Instead of trying to "fix" what's "wrong" with you, focusing on your strengths allows you to - build self-confidence & self-trust - navigate challenges with creative problem-solving - find workarounds with your personal lifestyle - develop self-advocacy skills in all areas What about our strengths? - Rote Memory (learning and memorizing facts or information through repetition and memorization techniques; rather than focusing on understanding or comprehension) - Attention to Detail & Deep Analytical Thinking (structured career, pattern recognition, and step-by-step plans) - Vocabulary and Verbal Ability (writing, blogging, journaling, clear & direct communication, online communities) - Auditory Retention (ability to hold onto and remember sounds and auditory information; song lyrics and recalling a story) - Empathy (supportive friend, mentor, and advocate) - Understanding - Loyalty - Persistence & Strong Work Ethic (break tasks into smaller steps, structure & routines, and embrace challenges as opportunities) How to Lean into Strengths - Strength Journal - Set goals aligned with strengths - Surround yourself with people who appreciate your strengths Strengths are your Superpowers! When you embrace your strengths, your unlock your potential Reflection Question: What strengths resonate with you? Feel free to comment questions, stories, advice, tips/tricks, anything related to where you are on your journey 😃
|
