That neurospicy urge

Okay, let's talk about 'that neurospicy urge'! You know, those incredibly specific, sometimes inexplicable, yet totally relatable behaviors that just scream 'neurodivergent brain at work.' For ages, I thought I was just weird, but discovering the #neurospicy community has been such a game-changer. It's like, finally, there's a name for why my brain works the way it does, and why I have these particular quirks. Take the sticker obsession, for instance. My collection is huge! I have a drawer full of beautiful stickers – glittery ones, cute animals, intricate designs – but do I ever use them? Nope! It's 'that neurospicy urge to hoard stickers but never, ever stick them!' I think it's a mix of perfectionism (what if I put it in the wrong place?), sentimentality, and just enjoying the potential of them. The visual stimulation and the tactile feel of them are just so satisfying. Anyone else feel this deep need to collect them but can't bring themselves to actually use them? Then there's the soft toy situation. My bed is practically a fort made of plushies! It's 'that neurospicy urge to fill your bed with soft toys.' For me, it's about comfort, sensory input, and just feeling safe and cozy. They're a tactile comfort, a source of visual calm, and honestly, they just make my space feel like *mine*. It’s a little slice of comfort in a sometimes overwhelming world. Don't even get me started on craft supplies! My cupboard is overflowing with yarn, paints, beads, and all sorts of bits and bobs. It’s definitely 'that neurospicy urge to hoard craft supplies.' I'll get this amazing burst of inspiration, buy all the supplies for a project, work on it intensely for a few days, and then... it sits there. Sometimes for months, or even years! The joy is often in the planning and the initial hyperfocus rather than the completion, isn't it? And the notebooks! Oh my goodness, the notebooks. I'm so guilty of 'that neurospicy urge to buy a new notebook, use the first 3 pages, then never use it again.' There's something so alluring about a fresh, empty notebook, full of possibilities. It feels like a clean slate for all my brilliant ideas. But then the pressure to make it perfect sets in, or a new shiny idea comes along, and the old one gets abandoned. It’s a cycle, right? Finally, 'that neurospicy urge to collect ALL THE THINGS!' Whether it's unique pens, specific types of mugs, pretty rocks, or even interesting bits of packaging, my brain just loves to accumulate. There's a dopamine hit from the hunt and acquisition, and then a comfort in having a curated collection around me. Sometimes it makes for a bit of clutter, but it’s my clutter, and each item often has a story or a sensory appeal. These aren't just random quirks; they often stem from how neurodivergent brains process information, seek dopamine, manage executive function, or cope with sensory input. It's about finding comfort, expressing hyperfixations, or sometimes just getting that little spark of joy. It’s important to remember that these 'urges' are a part of who we are, and while they can sometimes be challenging (hello, overflowing cupboards!), they also bring a lot of richness to our lives. If you relate to any of these, you're absolutely not alone! I've been trying to embrace my neurospicy urges more, rather than feeling ashamed. One thing that helps me is having designated 'doom boxes' or 'hoard zones' where I can keep my collections without them taking over the whole house. For craft supplies, I try to limit myself to one new project at a time, or set a rule that I have to finish one before starting another (though I'm still working on that!). And for notebooks, I've started using digital notes more, so I don't feel the pressure of 'ruining' a physical one. Mostly, it's about self-compassion and understanding that these are just different ways my brain seeks comfort and stimulation. How do you manage your neurospicy urges?