How to embrace your giftedness as an adult. Meet Natasa Heydra

00:00:08 And welcome to unleash Monday, where we talk about the brain, especially the gifted brain and how does it affect our thinking and experience of the world differently. There are a lot of stereotypes and stigma around giftedness, and I'm here to challenge those. I'm here to raise awareness and to have a conversation around this topic of what does it mean to be a gifted adult common experience among gifted folks is that they feel out of place.
00:00:34 They don't quite fit in. They are too sensitive, too intense, too. Emotional two over excitable, and two deep thinkers about the world and about themselves. So if you have been called too much of about anything, then this show is for you. My name is Nadia. I'm too loud, too colorful, too bodily, too bossy. And I love to talk too much.
00:00:52 So welcome to my world. And I'm so happy you are here. Hi and happy. I'm so excited. You are here. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and I hope you also feel inspired by Mondays. Like I do. This is one of the reasons why I called my show unleash Monday two kind of indicate this new beginning of like a new week.
00:01:16 When you finally realize you have a term for something that you always felt was a little bit off. So basically once you realize, oh, I am neurodivergent and this is why. And so it felt like a Monday, two me. And so that's why I called the show on leash Monday. Cause we got to unleash our new find. Awesome. Now that sounds a little bit farfetched,
00:01:44 but anyway, I just feel, once you learn about your own, neurodivergence, it's kind of a tiny, fresh start. Maybe it's a big, fresh start. Maybe that Monday falls on a new year's as well, but maybe it's just a regular Monday. Anyway, today I have a very exciting guest for you. She's a dear friend of mine and she will share her story of how she found out that she is indeed a gifted adult and how it kind of like opened her eyes and gave her a new perspective on who she is.
00:02:19 And also reflecting back on her life where her roadblocks were in her journey and how this new find realization of being a gifted adult kind of empowered her and gives her new drive and sets her up for a new adventure. So I'm super excited to have Natasha Hydra today on the show. She's my friend and I hope you enjoyed this interview. The reason why I'm sharing kind of these gifted stories for my listeners to be able to relate from these,
00:02:53 you know, everyday regular people that suddenly find out, oh wow, I'm actually gifted. And this is why I had issues with relationship or that's why I had issues with my boss or that's why school didn't feel that comfortable. Even though if you're a gifted, you're supposed to be the poster child in school. But as we know, not everybody that is gifted has it easy in school.
00:03:19 So this is why I do invite people that just shared a gifted story. Some of my guests share their professional gifted story and you will get the whole picture by listening each and every episode. So I'm excited. You're here and thank you so much for your trust and without further ado, here's Natasha welcome. Natasha. It's such a pleasure to have you.
00:03:44 I'm also so excited. Yeah. Especially because of course I'm a big fan of your podcast. So to be here now, as a guest is a complete honor and totally nerve wracking You and no need for any nerves. It's just a normal conversation that we gonna have. Like we have weekly. So for all of you listening, Natasha and I, we met at an online course for creative entrepreneurs and I joined this program last year because I wanted to get my podcast up and going and in this amazing chorus,
00:04:21 we had accountability groups and Atocha, and I are in the same accountability group. And we've been meeting once a week for the last year. Yeah. So that has been incredible. And when I first had two, this topic of giftedness, I took Marie LA checkups and gifted adult book. There's this checklist in the front where she asks the readers, are you a gifted adult?
00:04:49 And I took this test that I was like, well, doesn't everybody take all the books. Exactly. I used the, the accountability group a little bit as Guinea pigs. I mentioned that this is from the book. So I sent this out, asking people just to fill out this form to see if there's a trend. And Natasha was kind enough to fill out this form and take almost all boxes.
00:05:18 Let's put it this way. And so I not just by hearing your own story, but through this kind of sneaky way, sending this questionnaire around, I realized Natasha, you might be one of those gifted adults. And for a year in pestering, you listen to what I'm saying and you did. But before we get into your journey, do you remember like the first time we met and I mentioned my topic,
00:05:51 what went through your head? Do you remember? Like if I said, oh my topic gifted at olds, I want to create a podcast. Did you understand what I was saying? Did you have prejudice or did you make any connections? I did not make any connections to myself, but right away, I felt like, whoa, this is interesting.
00:06:11 And that's because I was always interested in human behavior, I guess. And why do we do things? And I already was going two therapists. It was also introspective. Like, why do I do things? Why do I feel thing? So when you talked about giftedness, I thought like, oh, this is interesting because I heard a little bit about it.
00:06:29 My information came from TV and films. So of course, right away, I went to a, someone that's very highly intelligent, oddly intelligent. So I was fascinated, but no, it did not make the link two myself. I did not think it was crazy. No, I thought it was like, yes, that's what I thought like this is.
00:06:51 Yeah, because it sort of, it did tinkle. I said something in me. That's why, when you started to do the podcast, I was very interested in listening to it. Yeah. When I first told you, oh, Natasha, I think you might be one of us. How was your reaction? Did you immediately embrace it? Totally embraced it.
00:07:11 No, I did not. Well, I have to say, I'm not sure when you actually said, well, it went very gradually, right? You sometimes just in our conversation, you were talking about how much you were learning every time and that you started to see then the people around you and then you sort of said like, yeah, it just like you.
00:07:31 And then you went on, you know, though it was just little pricks here and there, but I have to say, of course, before you really, really sort of told me that I should please go and check this out because I really do think you are, it was already after I think a period where I also learned from you that gifted Mets is not just high intelligence.
00:07:53 It's not just having a high IQ. So already you took me on this journey where you taught me or just like the other listeners. It's so much more so in that says I could sort of relate a little bit. I didn't embrace it completely, but just a little bit like, oh, maybe, nah, nah, maybe not. So I guess that's how it first went,
00:08:18 but I guess it really was listening to your podcasts because I, I always, you know, love, I'm one of those people who would devour many different kinds of podcasts. I listened to your podcast. And while I was doing that, I started to recognize more and more of myself. And it's started to give me answers to questions that were struggles.
00:08:43 I would say that I had for such a long time. And yeah, so very slowly delight went on in a way. And I guess it took like a breakdown which I had in our group to sort of really switched the light on, I guess, and really started to read. Yeah. I also started with Marilyn Jacobson, gifted adult. I love that book and yeah,
00:09:09 two really for it to really hit home, I guess. And I'm taking so long to introduce you and how you got into the topic because that's really what I hear in my surrounding is people that I feel are gifted should embrace it because it could help them. And you're this one example of people that, you know, resisted as I saw it a little bit for months.
00:09:36 And as you said, there was a breakdown and we can talk about this later on and then you're embracing it and it just helped you so much. And I just want to emphasis for the listeners that feel maybe they could be, but how can they be? I was never good in math. I was never good in school. You're such a beautiful example of one of those gifted women only realizing in the middle of life,
00:10:03 how that affected your whole journey. Exactly. Do you want to share a little bit your journey? Like how was it for you in school? How did you grow up so that people can really relate and see like, oh, you were not that genius in school. Oh, well, you know, you almost have to say I'm in the middle of,
00:10:27 I feel like this storm of emotion and, and still finding things out. And one of the things is that I now with all these new information, I'm looking at my life and part of it is my school life. I just grew up in just a suburb of Rotterdam in Holland and in school I was thinking back like, was it, but I just cannot really remember doing homework.
00:10:50 Of course I did homework, but I'm saying this because normally I would not say it is, but because I'm looking at it now with the eyes of this information I got for gifted adults. Right. So normally I would probably remember different things of my school life, but now I'm looking at it like, okay, was I, was I smart? Was I not smart?
00:11:08 I guess I was just always just making the best stuff and I situation. So I have good memories of school, but I, yeah, I don't like now thinking back, it's like, oh, maybe that's quite weird. You know that I do not really have that much memories of making any homework and just getting on. And then, and high school,
00:11:32 I guess it's called metabolic whole and Dutch. We have, I guess, three or four phases there. So it's from 12 years on there. The matter became a little more difficult sometimes, but there's also this system that after you get all the different subjects you've got in the beginning of the year, she got all the subjects. And then after a few years you have to choose four besides Dutch and English.
00:11:56 So all the things that were a little bit more, a struggle I could just drop. So I could just take the ones that, you know, that fit me. So, but I did fail my exam year, which was totally crazy. And also thinking back now I was thinking about it this morning. Like maybe it was also that's that year.
00:12:17 Maybe I also never really, I find out like to pass an exam. I had to do a little more work at that time. It was never an idea of I'm smart or not. Not at all. I guess there was never, it also frustrates me. I have to say, because I mean, what I wanted to say is there was no program around me that I ever was aware of for different levels of intelligence.
00:12:45 We have like a system in Holland, which is called<inaudible>. It's like gymnasium it's on the highest. So you have more like that. But it also had to do with the amount of work you wants to put in. And I just really enjoyed playing. So that's why I went to the middle anyway. So after I went to the academy Arctic enemy,
00:13:07 but again, I kind of wind where the wind blew. I, you say that, it's just what it took me. It's sort of something came, you know, I really wants to go to acting school. I was too young for that. And then I was also drawing a little bit. So my mom said, oh, maybe you should do the Arctic enemy.
00:13:26 So it never really was my choice that much. And it never really was anything, you know? Yeah. No one ever, including me ever thought any different of, I dunno, I dunno. It's weird. It's weird to me a little bit, but nothing that everything just happened. Unintentional. So on the other hand, I am forever grateful that I came to the art academy because I have struggled always with sort of form of,
00:13:57 I didn't know how to pronounce it, that I was feeling often the old one out often alone, actually that's my feeling. And my memory of my early childhood is always feeling alone or set or not accept it. So that has been going through that whole phase. So when I came to the academy, I do feel like there was some kind of weird awakening happening there.
00:14:28 I also had to do the first year, second time. So there was also sort of again like ha but the moment I also went out of the house, get a place for myself. I just flew. Cause then I met peers. I met people who also, because at the art academy, of course, some of the, I was able or taught also a bit about also able to communicate my feelings or things.
00:14:58 I find interesting that were a lot of things. And I always saw these connections, but other people thought like, it's not, you know, who cares about those things, but then at the academy, that was interesting. That was fine. That was actually what you should do. That's what's this new language I was getting, but also I feel very comfortable with already in,
00:15:20 so that was great. Then I was at the art academy and also in the art academy, I started at fashion department, I think also a little bit while you were a girl, just go there, maybe I'm exaggerating. But I feel like there was a lot of traditional expectations of me, so, okay. Then if you go to the art academy,
00:15:37 do that. So there, I quickly thought like, no, what I really like is not so much making fashion. I love that two, no negative things about that, but it was not enough. I was much more interested in why do people dress things because it's like, you're, it's, it's your skin, right? It's like the way you express yourself.
00:15:56 So that was what really ignited fire in me again. So I was much more interested in the codes and the subcultures and the things around it. So I sort of doubled with the audio official department, which is like video. And then you have like much more tools to express yourself and then being able to do an exam, you really had to choose and really go into one of those subjects.
00:16:21 So then I thought like, no, then I went Indian graduated at the official arts department, which was, you know, that you can choose any discipline to two express your ideas with, so that's the journey there. But again, it was like, you know, I never was that it was, yeah, it wasn't that strange. You know,
00:16:41 I just wanted to do a lot. And after the academy, I very quickly already, in my final year, I started to organize exhibitions. And then after I started to organize festivals, events, exhibition, so a lot of my artistic work went into making exhibitions, like I said, in publications. And so it went a little bit away from me working as an artist,
00:17:09 making art, into facilitating art or finding a lot of artistic freedom in making exhibitions and events like that, or programs like film programs or so, yeah, looking back, it also provided me, but a huge network very wide because I did film, I did radio. I did what likes at festivals, art music. So it was great to work in Rotterdam and really feel like I was part of the,
00:17:39 also the DNA of the, of the city and also making the city, you know, like for a long time. Yeah. I was also coordinator for the festivals in the city. And so it was a great, exciting feeling. And then I fell in love. I went on a trip to, I have to say that that was something always missing.
00:18:03 There was something in my gut that just didn't really fit. And I never really knew what I always felt like I'm doing so many things, but for some reason I never feel really appreciated I guess. And I'm also not satisfied there's something missing. So there was like, when I just quickly said I went on a trip was really also a moment like,
00:18:26 okay, shit, start listening to my gut more instead of again, oh, this is coming on my way. I'm just going to react to it instead of really having like a strategy. So I went on this trip to New Zealand by myself and there, I met a dang, someone from Denmark and then I fell in love. And then, yeah,
00:18:48 he was not ready to come to Holland. And I was very much, always have been someone who was just aching for new stimulation, something new and something. So I just said, oh, I'm going there. And I did. And I jumped, but it jumped into literally the middle of nowhere because I'm in the middle of yet land. So of that mark,
00:19:11 which is in the country. So I'm not even living in a town, I'm living literally on an old farm. So I always say like from city girl to country, girl, and I guess looking back because then suddenly my whole body and my whole being started to break, I would even call it. Did not know what was going on. Of course I thought,
00:19:36 well it's because, you know, and it is, it is because I immigrated is because I left all my friends behind. I left my family behind. It is because suddenly I have no idea who I am here because you know, like a job is also a part of your identity. Your friends is part of your identity. So many things are part of who you are and you want to see mirror,
00:19:58 you know, we talked a little about merit, but do you want, you know, it's I never realized how important that was having a shared interests. So my whole being was really reacting in an extreme way, like getting sick, physically getting more and more depressed if I'm honest in many periods and just not really know like what, yeah, what the hell,
00:20:24 if I can say that, but what the, in a, what is going on? And I still think it's all of the above. It is the big part is, and you know, I was always, it's, it's a very bad joke, but it's oh, what's it like in the end, you know, now with the pandemic, the isolation that came with Corona and how people also had these severe emotional reactions to it,
00:20:48 I was sort of say like, yeah, I've been practicing for this already a few years because I was suddenly isolated by own choice. That's of course is a very big difference, but nevertheless, but that's why I say about a breakdown is that I just did not know what to do with my, I did not understand really besides the language and the immigrant.
00:21:12 And so I just did not, I could not get better. I could not find the route or something. Cause I knew I knew there was something. And then there was discourse first. It was so scared, a fighter, an old friend of mine who asked me, you know, and, and I was very open to personal growth because I wanted to get better.
00:21:34 And through her, we came to me to do this the course by Cathy Heller. And I thought like, well, let's go for it. I need purpose. And that was one part of what that course was about is also finding your purpose. I struggled with that by the way, but that's another story. But the most important thing that came out of that really was our group,
00:21:56 our accountability group. And also actually that what that course taught me, but end the accountability group is positive. Like instead of this is not possible on how life is hard, it was about every idea that you had. How can we make it work? Or how could it work? The question was, how could it work instead of what went, you know?
00:22:20 And it was a different environment. And then when we went on and some of the, I wasn't this safe surrounding with people may be also, and in a sense, you know what I know now, but giftedness in that sense, it's like crazy synchronicity, right? Is that we were put together is how that did click and how we were so able to be ourselves almost instantly.
00:22:45 I feel. And through that, I also met you and you doing things with giftedness and after a while saying you might be, and then I felt like now, well, and then I also thought like, well, if that's, so maybe that's the thing. It's not only about, that's the thing that I've learned. It's not only about the label giftedness.
00:23:07 That's really, it's not that interesting. Cause I remember also you talking about, oh, what should I call it? Blah, blah, blah. But it's about that. It literally gave me so much answers to this lifelong of feeling lost and lonely and this extreme stress and anxiety that I had in this country where suddenly all my stimulation was gone. All my work and projects were gone.
00:23:35 All my peers were gone. All the people where I could be myself were gone. And some of the Irish pushed again into this corner where they didn't ask for it. But my way of surviving is, is a bit too big of a word. But it's, it's in a way it's the same is to change myself is to mirror myself, to like,
00:24:02 what do they want from me? How can I adapt to this situation? Because this is what I knew. Like this is the situation I should adapt. And then everything will be fine. Thank you so much for sharing. And as you said, like you were in a really bad place by the time you finally said, okay, it's kind of like,
00:24:25 I feel you surrendered. You're like, okay, I'm in this bad place. Like nothing else seems to be working, trying audience last resort, Pete, that book she's been pestering me about four months. I think this is how I saw it from the other end was like, okay, I tried, you know, traditional therapy with somebody that wasn't specialized think giftedness,
00:24:53 but it doesn't seem to be working that well. And I hope I can share this. You said the therapist opened all these cans of worms and let it sit. And you were like, oh my God, this is not helping. This is making the situation even worse. And I heard you and from my own research, listening to other gifted stories saying I went to therapy and it didn't work till I found a gifted therapist,
00:25:21 a gifted coach, a gifted professional. I urged you, please, please, please take this into account. And we met every week and already like two weeks later you were like this beaming bright, shiny light. And I was like, oh my God, how's your, what happened? What happened two weeks? Can you share for people that are hesitant that say like,
00:25:49 I don't know if I'm gifted, like th the step reaching out to a professional labeling themselves. I might be gifted. I assumed that was a really big step for you as well. But retrospectively I think one of the most important ones. Yeah, definitely. That's at least that's how I feel now. I'm of course hoping that this, you know,
00:26:11 because I am 47 feeling 27. No, but the reason I'm saying that is that I'm hoping to, I have the time, but also to have you've lived your life one way, you know? And that, that sticks. Of course our, I hope I'm able to shed some things that are not so smarter for me, but I think I just opened up to it.
00:26:35 I think it was just getting the information. I think the difference one big, big thing I can say is shit, your expectations or your preconceived idea of what gifted is, because I notice it all about me still. And I had a two and it's logical because this is how the world works. You know, everything's been in books is, and there's not too much information about it.
00:27:00 It's only like the headlines. You only get the headlines. So it literally was that book that really, you start to learn about what giftedness is and that it's so much more. And then I started to recognize myself in, for example, the sensitivity. I already looked at a little bit on high since deaf people before or high sensitivity, but then it start to do a pilot,
00:27:27 like all these different characteristics. I did the tests, I did another test and another tissue test online, not, not an official assessment, but like, these are the characteristics of giftedness. How much do you have? And I almost stick to every one of them, you know? So it took like about the 10th test that I thought that's Asha,
00:27:49 you know, something is screaming in your face, you know, it's right in front of you and you're still looking around it. It's, that's ridiculous also, but I don't know why, but the moment I embraced that and started because a lot of these books and also your podcast, actually it calmed me down. If someone's like, oh, this is something that has a lot of answers that I talked about before,
00:28:17 because the struggles I had with him, our relationship just realizing, but because that's how I see giftedness. It's just, it is a different way of how your brain works. And I really still think sometimes I'm doubting, like what does everybody think this, I really come on. How's it possible? But because I think that way I get hurt a lot,
00:28:42 because I don't understand why people are not as emphatic or do not see certain things like come on. And I also think when they don't, I think they do it two because they don't like me or they don't take me seriously. And that's my problem. It's not there, but still, you know, it can result into a lot of hardships and then finding,
00:29:08 for example out that if they do not, if they literally cannot see certain things or they are not S engaged in the environment or whatever, that does not make them bad people, but it's just sometimes it's, you know, they have other priorities or they certain things they just cannot see yet or do not see, no, it's not about yet. So it's a dish,
00:29:33 some things they just do or do differently. So in that sense, that gave me answers and it calmed me down because a lot of things I thought like, oh, I'm in such a bad environment. And then suddenly it was not always so bad. I learned to accept certain things. So in that sense very quickly, it calmed me down. But I have to,
00:29:55 I also wonder, I think there are different kinds of people, right? I think I do follow under, is it gold, the gifted trauma. And I have not gone into that at all yet. So I don't know, except being someone who I think really fits that bill, but I still needing to go more into that. But that is of course,
00:30:16 a reason why I also reached out to a therapist and it also found orient podcast, Pascal, who was a therapist or already thought like, okay, what I need to do is to get help, but now not go because I've had, I think about 10 therapists over my life, but now to go to someone with experience in giftedness and also to get an answer from her,
00:30:39 like, am I really, you know, of course that's still because she just really, because I'm just not used to fitting into any box. So that's why it is also like, nah, you know, this is also, maybe it also fits the kind of people is because they're not, you know, used to fitting in anything. So I went to her and it's really nice because so often she says,
00:31:06 I'll bet that's very, you know, not all the time. It's not like, you know, it's not like a magic thing that makes everything better, obviously, but often she does say, oh, but this really fits the characteristics of, and this is maybe your thinking and this way, and this is why this bothers you, but you can also look at it while you realize this.
00:31:26 Well, having somebody really understands how your own brain works instead of having somebody just opening the can of worms leaks with, but somebody that can really relate because she has the same journey. And she's also sharing that on my podcast. And she also shares it also with me, which I really love while we talk. And I love that a lot, but it's true.
00:31:49 Like since I had that and because I had very sweet people over my whole life that tried to help me and it's not like I was in total at all valley and total breakdown mode at all, actually it was just always this, like, why do I feel so lost? Why do I feel so lonely? It was focused on that. But these people when thinking back never really,
00:32:14 yeah, I don't really see that much results, but also, and I also read it back actually in the books is that I don't think I ever was really that honest because I think the questions were never, the question is I guess, that I needed to be asked and I also often made them feel happy. That's again, my problem it's that I did,
00:32:40 or I developed in my life. But right now also with basketball, I really try to really sometimes say, when she says, how are you doing normally? I would say, okay. And that was sometimes it just tried to say, you know, to be really honest and just very messy and totally confused. And I've no idea how I feel butts.
00:32:59 And then this whole, everything comes out just to be more honest. Anyway, my point is, I think it's very important that if you want answers or if you struggle in your finding out that your brain fits the gifted brain, please, you know, don't waste time and try to find a therapist that is experienced in that level. And for example,
00:33:21 for me, I found her in Norway. That's one things of course at this, you know, pandemic, maybe ignite. It is a lot of online work. My point is that it doesn't have to be in your town or in your facility. Hmm. Were you scared that giftedness would not be the answer that you could relate to what was said in the book?
00:33:46 Because I hear that a lot people say I fit the description, so well, as you said, they probably haven't fit in a box their whole life. Now there's something they could actually relate to. But then they're scared that somebody comes and says, no, you're not gifted. This is not for you taking him away from you taking away the answer two,
00:34:10 basically everything, not everything, but like, yeah. I think you really nailed it on this one because I'm terrified. Yeah. Because it is so emotional. It is such an emotional journey and it's, so it grabs the core of who you are and yeah, I am terrified. Yeah. I really want to use that word because it also feels like there's a safety in it.
00:34:35 I don't know. It was the first time I'm saying it now, but I'm thinking about it now, but there's a certain safety in, it sort of warms their sort of home. Like this is where you yeah, belonging, I guess. And even though I haven't really reached out to others, but I haven't, but there is this something in there and it would feel devastating at if that would be taken away from me.
00:34:58 On the other hand, we'll all be fine. You know? I mean, of course it's also not the answer to everything right. In the end, we also have to be honest with ourselves in the end. It's just about being honest with yourself, listening to yourself and being nice to yourself and just really, you know, that's the important thing in everything,
00:35:17 you know, it gives, it does not provide anything more than that. It just says, okay, if this is how your brain work, then these kinds of things work better for you. These kinds of people were better at this kind of life works better for you. That's of course what it is. Yeah. Is that what I'm wanting to say or get to is also this whole notion that this external validation,
00:35:41 I care, being afraid, somebody comes and takes it away from you saying like pointing a finger at you saying you're not gifted at you. Don't get to use this term for yourself outside, but who, and I think a lot of people give to people if somebody else comes and says, I'm gifted. You're like, okay, I believe you like,
00:36:02 there's no, no need for me to doubt if you say, but for ourself, it's so hard to say I might be gifted and then learning this, actually we don't need external validation if this is the answers. And if we can work with people that fit into this gifted space, and if I find people here that mirror me, that makes me feel,
00:36:30 you know, belonging and home and cozy. Why do we need external validation? Yeah. It's interesting. Isn't it? Because we do well, we all want, yeah, but also something I feel strongly about is the subject of shame. Federation is also a little bit about the outside world, how they perceive what gifted is, how they do not understand or understand what it is needing that from your friends,
00:36:57 from your family, from your community at the same time. So of course I want that in a way, but on the other hand, my calm, my happiness right now or what I, I happiness it's a little much, but you know, the things that I really want to gives me is only for myself, it has not anything to do with anything out there.
00:37:17 So me getting an assessment and getting like a little plate on my wall and then telling my friends, you know, if I say I'm gifted and they go, like it, that's how it is. That's always at high incented. I don't think you're like that, by the way, this is not how my friends reacted. But if someone reacts like that,
00:37:33 that's what we dread, right? Like that people say, no, you're not. So, and then you have this little paper that says like, you see, I got an assessment, but that's in the end. Who cares? You know, in the end, it's about what this information, what this means to me too personal is how it helps me getting my life in order.
00:37:55 And these people that might react like that, they're working away again. So that's not an also when we on this update is that there was another thing. And I understand that completely because I notice it, you know, the words we use to word gifted and how people almost seem ashamed to say I'm gifted because there's so many people around us also like celebrities or anything.
00:38:18 For some reason, they are starting to get more calm, feel more okay with saying that they got Asperger or autism or other things on the spectrum. But for some reason it's like gifted his, his a two positive word or something. It's like, when you say I'm gifted, like you're saying I'm better. I'm not, that's not the point. It's a different way.
00:38:38 My brain works. And there's only apparently looking at the numbers five to 10% in the world at half. That that's all it is, but I refuse to be ashamed. I, I don't, I don't know one, two, I don't want, you know, so I also right from the start, I started also sharing it and just, okay,
00:38:58 this is my journey. I don't know where it brings me. But apparently when I read about this, when I looked at the characteristics, I read all the books, 90% resonates with me. So that's it. And it makes me happy. And I think all this conversation about the words, and I understand it, like what to use and how to get people and how to,
00:39:18 to get points across. But I think what's important just in life anyway, is to stop feeling ashamed of who we are, especially when we are just trying to be good people and trying to do good. Right. For ourselves and for others. So no, I'm not ashamed. Yeah. I love it. Thank you so much. I love all that you're saying.
00:39:42 And that's our refer. I'm surprised because it's so funny. Like I hear you speak the words I spoke or I've been saying the last year, and now similar words coming out from your mouth. It's like, oh, like somebody gets me like validated by your journey and what he was saying. So thank you so much for trusting my podcast for trusting my guests for trusting yourself,
00:40:13 going on the journey. Is there anything else you would like to share? Is there anything you want people on their journey to know something you wish you knew earlier? Oh, I know it makes me left because this is the question you always ask. And so I should have known and I should've prepared and I didn't. Yeah. Yeah. Trust yourself more.
00:40:40 Yeah. Be yourself. I guess if I would say, be nicer to yourself and trust yourself and your instincts. Yeah. Because in the end, you know, it's yeah. I think that is, that is actually what I want to say. Like trust your instincts. And it's hard because I'm still, you know, there's so many things that get you away from that and finding out about this gift isn't that does not only solve that for me,
00:41:08 but it definitely is. Trust your instincts, just trust yourself and trust your instincts because looking back, they were always right. And I did not always react on them. And that's kind of self-doubt because especially maybe, maybe it also resonates a little more with gifted Nessus because you feel like things don't fit with how everybody else or a lot of people around you do it.
00:41:32 You start doubt that. Don't yeah. Don't I love it. Thank you. Yeah. And I think a lot of the gifted experience, especially if you don't know you're gifted or you don't know what it means, deep down, there is something right. That we don't quite fit in. That we have this urge to do things a little bit differently and we get told over and over and over again,
00:41:57 you need to do it mainstream. This is how it's done. This is how we always do it, fit the box. Hi. But we have these instincts, we have these gut feelings telling us and looking back, or if we go against the stream looking back, it's like, I'm glad I did. Yeah. And so there's meant advice from,
00:42:18 I would say, neurotypicals focus on one thing, do this, do this, do that. And then it doesn't really fit our own patterns. Exactly. Our own nature. Yeah. So I think, yeah. Listening to your instinct and following passions, projects, ID, just explore. I think that's beautiful. So if people resonate with you and what you're saying,
00:42:44 and if they want to connect with you, where can they find you? Well, they can find me via my website or on my Instagram at this moment. Well, but you're going to put it in the show notes so you can find it in the show notes and find me on Instagram. But I would love to, if someone wants to reach out,
00:43:00 I really, really would love to get in contact. Yeah. Thank you so much, Natasha, for sharing your journey. I know it's been an emotional one, but I think like me, once you found out, you're like, oh my God, I need to share, I want to empower women. I want to, I want to empower humans because this has been such an important puzzle piece.
00:43:22 I think in like finding out who you are and also where your journey is going to go. And I'm just so excited to be your friend and watching you on the next steps you're taking towards, you know. Great. So thank you so much. Thank you so much. Yeah. Thank you for listening. I hope you had a wonderful time and I hope you could get something out of this episode.
00:43:52 Maybe you could relate to Natasha. Maybe you have somebody else that you think my profit from this show. So if you want to support this podcast, and if you want to kind of help spread the word, then please share this podcast with your friends or somebody. Did you think my profit from listening and you can also subscribe, rate and leave a written review on apple podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts that will really help the algorithm and make it a little bit more accessible to the rest of the listeners who listen to podcasts and maybe here about giftedness in adults.
00:44:33 So that will really mean a lot. And if you want to reach out, if you want to share your own story, if you just want to say hello, if you want to be the first to know what's happening at unleash Monday, then you can go onto my website@unleashmonday.com. You can subscribe to the newsletter. I don't write that many newsletters, so I won't spam you,
00:44:55 but just be on the lookout for if anything new is coming out. You can also leave a comment there, or you can write me an email@helloatunleashmonday.com. I'm also on social media. You can reach out on Instagram as unleash start Monday, for example. So I hope you're having a good start into the week and you're unleashing your inner awesomeness. And with that said,
00:45:22 I'm wishing you a wonderful day and I see you're in two weeks. Bye