Navigating the 9-5 as a Neurodivergent Creative
If you’ve been following my journey until now, you know I’m a big advocate for authenticity. But let's be real: when you’re neurodivergent, the traditional 9-5 office can sometimes feel like a game where everyone else was handed the rulebook, and yours got lost in the mail.
Being neurodivergent in a professional setting is a journey of high highs and "I need to hide under my desk" lows. Whether it’s ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, or any other variation, here is what it’s really like to navigate the corporate world.
🧩 The "Hidden" Labor of the 9-5
1. The "Professional" Mask 🎭 The biggest drain on my battery isn't the work itself — it's masking. It’s the constant internal monitor telling me to make eye contact (but not too much!), sit still, and modulate my voice to sound "corporate." Trying to fit the standard mold of professionalism often means suppressing the very quirks that make me great.
2. The Small Talk Struggle 💬 Office kitchens can be a minefield. While others thrive on "How was your weekend?" I’m often overthinking the social cues. Small talk feels like a series of scripts I have to memorize, and the social pressure of being "on" during every coffee break can lead to massive sensory burnout by 2 PM.
3. Navigating the "Hidden Curriculum" & Office Politics 🏛️ Neurodivergent folks often struggle with "rules you don't understand." Why do we have a meeting to discuss the meeting? Why is a certain piece of feedback phrased as a suggestion when it’s actually a command? Navigating the unwritten hierarchy and office politics feels like trying to translate a foreign language without a dictionary.
4. Non-Linear Workflows 🎢 The 9-5 assumes everyone works at a steady, 100% pace all day. My brain doesn't do that. I have Hyperfocus Sprints where I do eight hours of work in two, followed by a total "brain fog" crash. I need to go for a walk, change my scenery, or reset my energy to get back into the flow.
5. Sensory Overload & Open Offices 🎧 The hum of the fridge, the clicking of a colleague’s pen, the bright fluorescent lights—it’s a lot. For a neurodivergent brain, these aren't just background noises; they are physical distractions that make focusing feel like an Olympic sport.
🌟 The "Superpowers" We Bring to the Table
1. Incredible Drive & Motivation 🚀 When a project aligns with my interests, I’m not just "working" — I’m on a mission. Neurodivergent people are often capable of intense focus and a level of dedication that can move mountains. We don't just finish tasks; we obsess over making them excellent.
2. Radical Honesty & Directness 🗣️ You’ll never have to guess what I’m thinking. I value clarity and direct communication. My colleagues know they’re getting the truth, which actually builds a deeper level of trust. I’m the person who will politely point out the "elephant in the room" that everyone else is dancing around.
3. Bringing Personality to the Brand 🎨 Because I don't always fit the standard mold, I bring a unique perspective to everything I design. My personality is baked into my work, leading to original, quirky, and memorable communications that stand out in a sea of "corporate beige."
4. Pattern Recognition & Problem Solving 🔍 Many neurodivergent brains are hardwired for Pattern Recognition. I can often see a solution to a design flaw or a communication gap long before others realize there’s even a problem. We see the forest and the trees simultaneously.
🌈 Making it Work
The 9-5 might not have been designed for us, but we are designing a new way to exist within it. By advocating for our needs — like noise-canceling headphones, flexible "reset" walks, and clear, written instructions — we’re making the workplace better for everyone.
After all, a world that only thinks one way is a world that stops growing.
