Many years ago (back in the day), I was born into what would now be referred to as a "neurodivergent" or "quirky" family. My mom didn't know she had ADHD and she certainly didn't know her kids did as well. Instead, she thought there was something wrong with the kids who could sit still and get good grades. I tended to embrace this laissez-faire approach to expectations, which in truth wasn't maybe the best thing for me to do, but time machines don't exist, so I move forward and endeavor to do better.
One of the benefits of not caring too much about what people think meant classroom jokes about my name, never bothered me. At school, the nickname Aud came about from kids trying to hurt my feelings, but what they didn't understand was although the first part of my name Audrey sounds like "odd" - I never wanted to be like them (my peers) so calling me this wasn't an insult, it was a point of pride. Additionally, prior to elementary school, the nickname was already donned upon me by my own family. I have been Aud, Odd-ie, Aud Bod, Aud the Bod, Audrey Boddrie, and more. It never hurt, still doesn't. Hearing old friends call me Aud is like music to my ears.
My advice, if you're in school and kids are calling you out for being different, not fitting a particular mold, be a duck and let it roll off your back! In school and in life, people can be jerks, make a point to not care what they think, AND take every effort to never become one yourself! There's room for EVERYONE, but this world at times tries to convince us that everything is black or white, that we HAVE to live in the extremes that we MUST choose a side, that if you're not for us, you're against us. This is a lie, don't fall for it!
Sending You Love,
Audrey
Ps. I hate every image and graphic I've ever made. If you happen to like them, then you should know that purchasing a tee shirt or hoodie helps support me and my family. On the other hand, if you hate them as much as me, then feel free to not purchase one.