Let’s continue our A to Z Blogchatter journey—and today, we arrive at the letter N. After exploring everything from fear and forgiveness to mindfulness and mood swings, it’s time to dive into some deeply layered themes that shape our mental health experience in quiet yet profound ways: Negative self-talk, Neurodiversity, and Nurturing yourself.
Negative Self-Talk: The Voice That’s Not Always Yours
Let’s start with something almost all of us deal with but rarely talk about openly—that little voice in our heads that constantly criticizes us.
“I’m not good enough.”
“I always mess things up.”
“No one really cares.”
Sound familiar?
This is what we call negative self-talk, and honestly, it can be more damaging than any external criticism. Because it doesn’t come from others—it comes from within. And that makes it sneakier, more believable.
As a psychologist, I often ask people, “Would you ever speak to someone you love the way you speak to yourself?”
Most of them smile, a little embarrassed, and say, “No… I guess not.”
The thing is, our inner critic is not really us. It’s often the echo of past experiences—what we were told as children, what we absorbed from rejection, failure, or comparison. It feels like truth, but it’s usually learned fear wearing the mask of logic.
And here’s the good news: you can unlearn it. It starts by noticing that voice. By saying, “Ah, there’s that old thought again,” instead of, “This must be true.” By replacing “I always fail” with “I’m learning as I go.” Small shifts. Repeated often. That’s how self-compassion grows.
Neurodiversity: Different, Not Less
I love that this term is slowly gaining the respect and recognition it deserves. Neurodiversity simply means that human brains don’t all work the same way—and that’s not a problem, it’s a truth.
Whether we’re talking about autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or other neurodivergent experiences, the idea is not to “fix” or “normalize” people—but to understand them better, to support them, and to honour their unique ways of being.
In therapy and in everyday life, I’ve learned that labels are not meant to define people—they’re meant to help them access the tools and language they need to thrive.
But what breaks my heart is how often neurodivergent people are misunderstood, dismissed, or worse, shamed into silence.
If you’re someone who is neurodivergent, or loves someone who is, I want to remind you:
Your brain is not broken. It’s just wired differently. And difference is not deficiency.
The more we educate ourselves about neurodiversity, the more we can build environments—at school, at work, at home—that are inclusive, flexible, and humane.
Nurturing Yourself: The Art of Gentle Living
We often reserve the word nurture for children, plants, or animals—but not ourselves. Isn’t that strange?
We hustle. We show up. We care for others. And then we run on empty, silently hoping someone notices our exhaustion. But self-nurture is not indulgent—it’s essential.
To nurture yourself means to slow down enough to ask:
What do I need today?
Do I need quiet? Movement? A kind word? A boundary? A nap?
It means learning to treat your body like a friend.
It means choosing rest before your body forces it on you.
It means finding softness in a world that celebrates hard edges.
You don’t need a spa day or a retreat. You just need permission to be kind to yourself. Start there.
As we move through the heart of the challenge…
I’m pausing to feel grateful. Writing these letters, exploring these themes, connecting through words—it’s reminding me of why I do what I do. Mental health is personal, and yet, profoundly collective.
So today, as you think about N…
Notice your inner dialogue—become aware of what you’re telling yourself.
Learn a little more about neurodiversity—even one shift in perspective can make you more empathetic.
And please, find one small way to nurture your body, your mind, or your spirit. You deserve that.
We’ll meet again tomorrow with the letter O. I’m already looking forward to where that will take us.
Until then, take care of yourself. Gently, always.
