Different Labels
A reflection on learnings from Uni classes, and personal experience, about the functions, effects of, and usefulness (or not) of labels associated with mental health and neurodiverse diagnoses. Sometimes labels are imposed without our choice, but for some, accepting or rejecting, seeking or evading labels are difficult choices that shape how we see ourselves, where we feel that we belong, and how others treat us.
Sometimes I wish I had an excuse
To be different
To be allowed to take more time to get to where everyone else already seems to be
An excuse to struggle with things others seem to find easy
Also, permission not to hide my superpowers, permission to shine when I can
Should I need an excuse to be different?
Is there any such thing as this idea
Of a homogenous ideal of normal anyway? Of course not.
Everyone is different
Different from each other
So doesn’t everyone feel like they are different, at one time or another?
Can’t we just allow everyone to be different without needing all these labels?
Why, why so many labels?
So many labels
Surely we will all end up with at least one soon.
Maybe if something has no label no one will want it because they don’t know what it is?
If I had a label, maybe people would recognize me, rather than staring confused
But if you want to label me first you have to put me in a box
I’m a person not a product so how dare they say I need a label
But if I don’t accept one,
Maybe they won’t believe me
They won’t see me
Or what if they already see right through me?
And I’m the only one who doesn’t agree
That that label belongs on me.
And what if I can’t function outside of that box?
Labels do not stick to a person’s soul, just the box they got put in.
I’ve done that to others
Tried to put them in a box with a label on
To try to make sense of differences
To try to protect myself
How dare I so cleverly evade labels, yet be so quick to stick them on others?
Where should I position myself?
Do I get to choose?
I’ve always felt like I was different
But what kind of different?
Am I different enough
To join the different club?
What if I don’t belong there either?
Sitting on the fence…is not comfortable for long
I have a good view of both sides
But I don’t know where I belong
I’ve always resisted being boxed in, labelled, categorized…
Is it a privilege that I get to choose?
Is it a sign of my privilege that I have so far escaped categorization?
I’m not afraid of the loneliness any more
But maybe I’ve realised that it’s not necessary …
Even if I don’t fit in any boxes
Can I still find where I belong?