How a Single Decision Empowered My Journey

A couple of years ago, I made a decision that ended up changing the direction of my life, even though I didn’t realize it at the time.

I went to an ADHD conference.

When I got there, I was immediately overwhelmed by the amount of people inside the hotel. I was also extremely nervous to meet my aunt because I hadn’t seen her in years, but once we saw each other, I started to calm down. I think it was all of the anxiety I had already built up in my mind. I’d already overthought every scenario that could happen. That’s what I always do—think and think about things before they even occur. It’s exhausting.

We went to our first seminar, a keynote speaker who shared his personal experience of having ADHD. I of course chose to sit in the back in case I needed an escape. The chairs were so close together that I started to feel trapped. I began sweating, rubbing my hands together incessantly, and my legs began to shake. I’m always nervous that I’ll cough or choke on my water and cause a scene.

But I sat there quietly, and I made it through.

The seminar—and the ones I attended after—were incredibly inspiring. It made me feel seen for perhaps the first time in my life. There were people who shared parts of their stories, along with others who were there for advocacy and support for someone they knew. It felt like a camaraderie, a community of people coming together to celebrate neurodivergence.

I made some connections with people who were life coaches, and our conversations were so enthralling. Some even told me that I should consider a career as a life coach. That made me pause—the compliment made me bashful and emotional, my eyes swelling with a slight tear or two. In that moment, I felt accepted and acknowledged for strengths I just couldn’t see in myself.

After having been a part of that experience, I made the decision to focus on my mental health for the very first time. I chose to embrace myself for who I am and learn to love the parts of me that I once considered to be flaws.

That decision led me to something I never thought would ever happen to me—I started using my voice.

I speak up and stand my ground. I set boundaries so I don’t exceed my limits. I’ve become more open and vulnerable with others about my feelings. I became somewhat fearless.

Going to that conference was a turning point in my life. It inspired me to write again, to learn more about neurodiversity, and to engage with others who share similar experiences. That’s how Embrace the Unseen was born.

My blog has turned into my haven of comfort. It’s been a freeing experience sharing my stories, and when people tell me they can resonate and feel seen, I feel validated, accepted, and no longer invisible.

It gave me my voice back.

And above all, I chose myself—and that is the most important thing I’ve ever done.

What is one moment in your life where you felt truly seen—and how did it change the way you see yourself?

“Sometimes the smallest decisions end up changing the entire direction of your life.” -Unknown