S1 - E17 - WHEN YOU STOP BELIEVING YOU'RE TOO MUCH with Gazit Chaya Nkosi

Have you ever felt like you were just born as the problem? In this powerful episode of Left Unattended, host Ron Sosa sits down with Gazit Khaya Nikosi (also known as Z) to discuss the journey of unlearning the message that being neurodivergent means being too much. Together, they explore how to move away from a life of masking and burnout toward a future built on self-compassion and radical accommodation. 🌈 Z shares their personal history with fundamentalist religious trauma and the pressure to appear as one of the shiny happy people while struggling with intense sensory sensitivities. From the physical pain of sock seams to being put on professional probation for crying in the workplace, this conversation highlights the real-world costs of living in a society not built for neurodivergent nervous systems. 🧠 You will also learn about practical tools for sensory regulation, including the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and specialized prism glasses. Z explains how transitioning to self-employment allowed them to build a work structure that honors their needs, proving that when we stop apologizing for our requirements, our true brilliance can finally emerge. ✨ Chapters 0:00 Intro and meeting Z 3:15 Realizing you were never the problem 6:45 Religious trauma and the pressure to be shiny 10:30 Childhood sensory struggles and the sock story 14:15 Justice sensitivity and emotional intensity 18:00 Being penalized for crying in the workplace 22:30 Hyper-empathy as a neurodivergent strength 26:15 Reclaiming your life after late diagnosis 30:00 Prism glasses and neurological vision therapy 34:30 Creating a sensory-friendly environment 38:15 Transitioning to self-employment and the SSP 42:00 Closing thoughts and resources If this conversation helped you realize you are carrying an invisible load, we invite you to take the next step toward support. Subscribe to the podcast for more stories that normalize neurodivergence and leave a review to help others find us. You can find more resources and coaching opportunities at the links mentioned in the episode. 🔗 #adhd #autism #neurodiversity #sensoryprocessing #mentalhealth Website: https://www.syn-apt.me https://therootedcoop.com/