Hyperfocus – untypicable.

Why Do Neurodivergent People Love Spreadsheets? A Love Letter to Order in a Chaotic World

AJ Wright — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:30:00 +0000

There’s something almost magical about a good spreadsheet. Rows, columns, formulas—it’s like a perfectly organised universe where everything has its place and nothing happens without permission. While spreadsheets might seem dull to the average person, for many neurodivergent individuals, they’re a thing of beauty, a lifeline in a world that often feels as unpredictable as British weather. Here’s why spreadsheets are the unsung heroes of neurodiverse life.

1. The Perfectly Predictable World

Spreadsheets don’t lie. They don’t spring surprises or suddenly change the rules halfway through. Unlike people or, say, public transport timetables, spreadsheets are consistent. They do exactly what you tell them to do (assuming you’ve entered the formulas correctly—user error is another story). This predictability makes them a haven for those of us who thrive on structure and clarity.

2. Customisation for Days

A spreadsheet can be whatever you need it to be. A budget tracker, a meal planner, a database of every Pokémon ever created—it’s your call. Want colour-coded tabs? Easy. Fancy turning data into a pie chart for no reason other than it looks nice? Go for it. Spreadsheets don’t judge. They let you create order out of chaos, one cell at a time.

3. Hyperfocus Heaven

There’s nothing quite like falling into a hyperfocus session with a spreadsheet. Hours disappear as you fine-tune formulas, tweak formatting, and adjust column widths until they’re just right. It’s the ultimate rabbit hole of productivity, satisfying the need for both mental stimulation and a sense of accomplishment. Who needs meditation when you’ve got Excel?

4. A Data Dump for the Overloaded Brain

Neurodivergent brains can feel like overstuffed filing cabinets, with thoughts, ideas, and information crammed in every which way. Spreadsheets offer a place to dump it all. Need to track your hyperfixation on 80s synth bands? Create a sheet. Want to plan the next six months of weekly outfits to avoid sensory overload? Spreadsheet it. They’re the ultimate external brain, freeing up mental space while keeping all your ideas neatly categorised.

5. The Joy of Colour-Coding

Ah, colour-coding. Is there anything more satisfying than assigning each row, column, or tab its own carefully chosen shade? Neurodivergent folks often have a strong aesthetic sense, and spreadsheets cater to that beautifully. You can use bold colours to highlight priorities, pastel tones for subtlety, or go full rainbow just because it looks cool. It’s not just practical—it’s therapeutic. Keep your adults colouring books, I’ve got Excel!

6. Rules You Control

One of the most frustrating parts of neurodivergent life is dealing with unwritten social rules that make no sense. Spreadsheets, on the other hand, play by your rules. You decide how the data is organised, how calculations are performed, and what happens when you hit Enter. It’s a world where you’re in charge, and everything follows logical, predictable guidelines.

7. They Make You Look Incredibly Organised

Even if the rest of your life is a bit of a shambles, a well-crafted spreadsheet can make you seem like you’ve got it all together. Your boss doesn’t need to know you stayed up until 3am obsessively formatting it—what matters is that it’s pristine, professional, and ready to impress.

8. They’re Surprisingly Fun (Yes, Really)

Non-spreadsheet enthusiasts might scoff at the idea, but there’s genuine joy to be found in creating one. Watching a formula work perfectly? Thrilling. Turning raw data into a graph that actually makes sense? Practically euphoric. The satisfaction of a fully functional spreadsheet is a reward in itself.

9. A Safe Space for Special Interests

Neurodivergent special interests often come with an overwhelming amount of information. Spreadsheets provide a place to store and organise it all. Whether it’s cataloguing every film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or tracking bird species spotted on walks, spreadsheets transform your passions into neatly organised masterpieces.

10. Spreadsheets Are Always There for You

Unlike people, spreadsheets never flake on you. They’re always available, always ready to listen to your data-related needs. You can open one up at any time, add a new tab, and start fresh. No judgement, no awkward small talk—just pure, unfiltered functionality.

A Love That’s Built to Last

While some might see spreadsheets as boring or overly technical, for many neurodivergent people, they’re a comforting constant in an unpredictable world. They’re the Swiss Army knife of organisation, the blank canvas for creativity, and the ultimate tool for turning chaos into clarity. So, the next time someone rolls their eyes at your 27-tab colour-coded spreadsheet masterpiece, just remember: they’ll never know the joy of perfect alignment or the thrill of a well-placed formula.

Spreadsheets aren’t just tools—they’re a way of life.

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AJ Wright

AJ Wright is a quiet yet incisive voice navigating the surreal world of sociology, higher education, and modern life through the unique lens of a neurodivergent mind. A tech-savvy PhD student hailing from South Yorkshire but now stationed in the flatlands of Lincolnshire, AJ writes with an irreverence that strips back the layers of academia, social norms, and the absurdities of daily life to reveal the humour lurking beneath.

As an autistic thinker, AJ’s perspective offers readers a rare blend of precision, curiosity, and wit. From dissecting the unspoken rituals of academia—like the silent war over the office thermostat—to exploring the sociology of “neurotypical small talk” and the bizarre hierarchies of campus coffee queues, AJ turns the ordinary into something both profound and hilarious.

AJ’s unassuming nature belies the sharpness of their commentary, which dives deep into the intersections of neurodiversity, tech culture, and the often-overlooked quirks of human behaviour. Whether questioning why university bureaucracy feels designed by Kafka or crafting surreal parodies of academic peer reviews, AJ writes with a balance of quiet intensity and playful absurdity that keeps readers coming back for more.

For those seeking a blog that is equal parts insightful, irreverent, and refreshingly authentic, AJ Wright provides a unique perspective that celebrates neurodiversity while poking fun at the peculiarities of the world we live in. Also a contributor at Thinking Sociologically.

untypicable.co.uk

Living with High-Functioning Autism: A Personal Account Full of Quirks and Laughs

AJ Wright — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 18:41:33 +0000

Living with high-functioning autism can feel a bit like being handed a roadmap of life – only someone’s nicked the instructions and written “good luck” in biro across the top. From awkward eye contact to overthinking every text, navigating the neurotypical world takes a dose of patience, plenty of perseverance, and a surprising amount of humour. If you’re up for a peek into what it’s really like to walk the high-functioning autism tightrope, put the kettle on – here’s my story, oddities and all.

Living with High-Functioning Autism: The Basics

High-functioning autism, in case you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting it, is a form of autism spectrum disorder where people often have average or above-average intelligence. We might be able to hold down a job, have relationships, and pass for “normal” on a good day. But make no mistake – under the surface, things are buzzing. While my mind’s constantly at work, I’ve become a bit of a connoisseur in surviving life’s quirks with autism. And, frankly, if I had a pound for every time I thought, “Was that a normal thing to say?” I’d be lounging on a beach somewhere by now.

The First Clues: Early Signs and Realisations

Looking back, there were early clues that I was a bit of an odd duck. While other kids were running around, I’d be obsessively organising my crayons or staring off into space, content as could be. Teachers, bless them, would try to spark my interest in games or group projects. But as long as I could retreat to my little world of routines and order, I was perfectly chuffed. It wasn’t until I grew older that I noticed I wasn’t quite marching to the same beat.

Social Situations: A Field Guide

Ah, social situations. If there’s one thing that’s both endlessly fascinating and utterly baffling, it’s small talk. I’m the sort who dives headfirst into a conversation about astrophysics when everyone else is politely discussing the weather. This whole business of reading between the lines is a never-ending adventure. Sarcasm? I might pick it up on a good day. Subtle hints? Good luck with that.

Misunderstandings in Everyday Conversations

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to ask myself, “Wait, did they mean that literally?” From misunderstandings in work meetings to casually missing a joke at the pub, I’ve learnt to laugh at the fact that my brain simply isn’t wired for the wink-wink-nudge-nudge way most people communicate. And honestly, it’s been one of the best lessons – laughing at myself instead of endlessly analysing every social gaffe.

The Art of Eye Contact

Eye contact is an art form I haven’t quite mastered. They say it’s the “window to the soul,” but for me, it’s more like a flash of blinding sunlight – one that I tend to look away from. With friends, I can manage a bit of eye contact here and there. But in formal situations? Let’s just say I’ve spent many a work meeting nodding and smiling at someone’s tie.

Sensory Sensitivity: The World at 100 Decibels

My relationship with sound is… complicated. Every time I step out into a bustling café or the Tube at rush hour, my senses hit overload faster than you can say “mind the gap.” It’s like living with a volume dial constantly turned up. These days, my noise-cancelling headphones are practically a part of me – I don’t leave home without them.

Textural Adventures

Texture sensitivity is another thing. There are certain jumpers I wouldn’t wear even if you paid me, and let’s not get started on the wrong kind of crunchy food. I’m convinced that food textures are some kind of cosmic joke. It’s as if the universe decided to make my favourite snack just a bit too gritty, stringy, or slimy.

Routine is my Religion

Routine keeps me grounded – it’s my safety net when the world feels like it’s spinning out of control. I’m not talking about a bit of structure; I mean a rock-solid daily plan. The knowledge that certain things happen at certain times is downright comforting. My calendar isn’t just a tool – it’s practically a lifestyle.

Unexpected Change: The Enemy

Then, of course, there’s the other side of the coin: change. Unexpected changes, even tiny ones, can leave me feeling like someone’s pulled the rug out from under my feet. Tell me dinner plans have changed last-minute, and my brain’s already bracing for impact. Over the years, I’ve had to train myself to roll with the punches, but honestly, I’d rather we just stick to the plan.

Hyperfocus: A Double-Edged Sword

One of the more peculiar upsides of autism is hyperfocus. When I’m interested in something, I’ll dive in headfirst – for hours, sometimes days, forgetting all else. It’s as if I fall down a rabbit hole, researching everything from Norse mythology to obscure astronomy facts. Friends have learnt that when I’m in a hyperfocus zone, I’m as good as gone.

The Downside of Obsession

But the downside? Once I’m in, I can’t seem to turn it off. This single-minded focus can drain my energy to the point where I’m knackered. It’s a bit like starting a DIY project at midnight – exciting at first, but you’ll eventually realise you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.

Employment and Career: An Adventure in Masking

Working life is a fascinating terrain for someone with autism. I’ve learnt to “mask” – to pass as neurotypical when the occasion demands. But masking is exhausting. The mental effort of navigating small talk, office banter, and remembering to make eye contact all day takes a toll. By the end of the day, I’m absolutely shattered.

Strengths at Work

There are upsides, though. I’m often praised for my attention to detail, and I’ve got a knack for spotting patterns and finding solutions others might overlook. If there’s a project that needs a thorough eye, I’m your person.

Romantic Relationships: Navigating Love with Autism

Relationships bring a whole new set of challenges. Dating is a bit like stumbling into an improv show without a script. There’s no manual for “flirting when you’re terrible at flirting,” but somehow I muddled through. Today, I’ve got a partner who gets me, quirks and all, and that’s worth more than words can say.

The Beauty of Brutal Honesty

One thing my partner appreciates is my honesty – apparently, it’s refreshing! I’ll tell you exactly what I think, for better or worse. Over the years, I’ve learnt to soften my honesty with a bit of tact (when I remember, that is), but mostly, I’ve found that it’s best to just be myself.

The Autistic Meltdown: When Things Become Too Much

When things build up – when I’m overstimulated or overwhelmed – I reach a point where it all just… boils over. Recognising the signs of a meltdown has been essential. Now, when I feel one coming on, I take a bit of time for myself, pop on some soothing music, or retreat to a quiet corner. It’s a way of hitting the “reset” button.

Finding the Humour in High-Functioning Autism

Living with autism can be tough, but finding humour in my quirks has made all the difference. There’s nothing quite like accidentally misunderstanding someone’s compliment or overthinking a text response to the point of hilarity. Laughing at these moments helps me embrace who I am.

Awkwardly Funny Moments

From my obsession with correcting typos to my extreme aversion to spontaneous plans, my life is a series of awkward, humorous moments. And you know what? I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Benefits of Being Neurodiverse

One of the joys of autism is seeing the world a bit differently. High-functioning autism gives me a unique perspective that fuels my creativity and sense of wonder. My life is full of discoveries, quirks, and insights that most people never think twice about.

Embracing Neurodiversity and Self-Acceptance

In the end, living with high-functioning autism has been a journey towards self-acceptance. Learning about my autism has given me a sense of peace and understanding. Today, I advocate for myself, and for others who might feel like they don’t quite “fit” – because fitting in is overrated.