Depth & Altitude

Hi Anomalies. I know it has been some time. Thank you for staying here with me.

Lately, I've finally found language for something I've felt my whole life - especially as a creative - but never knew how to name.

Some humans move horizontally through the world - routines, rhythms, surfaces.

Others move vertically - sensing layers, meaning, symbolism, patterns. Neither is better, they are just different operating systems.

I've learned that I am someone who lives with depth and altitude (the latter) and understanding that has brought a surprising amount of relief and self-compassion.

Here are five facts about people like me (and maybe some of my Anomalies out there too) intuitive, empathic, creative and possibly allergic to shallow-ass explanations:

1) We feel first and then think... and then think again A LOT! Our intuition fires first then our intellect comes in later to make sense of things. It looks like overthinking but it's actually something called integration.

For those of us who don't want to look up the meaning of integration in a separate tab (I'm one of them) - here you go: Integration in thinking and processing is the brain's vital ability to combine diverse information, sensory inputs, and cognitive functions (like memory, emotion, logic) into a unified, coherent understanding or response, creating a holistic picture for effective decision-making, problem-solving, and a stable self. I basically do that while making pancakes.

2) Silence isn’t awkward - it's informative. If I'm quiet, I'm not disengaged. I'm probably processing three layers of meaning and metaphor.

3) We're energized by meaning, not just activity. We can do a lot of things, but what sustains us is why we're doing them. Purpose is fire.

4) Our inner world is vivid, even when we look calm. On the outside we might seem grounded or understated; inside, there's music, imagery, emotion, memory and imagination moving all at once. My mom always tells the funny story about how when I was months old, I freaked her and my Great Aunt Vassie out by tracing the objects and animals on my shirt in an intense manner. She said I was aware as a baby which I find hilarious and informative.

5) Environments that support our nervous system matter more than motivation. Clarity, simplicity and intentional space help us thrive - not because we're fragile, but because we're finely tuned. Nothing makes me want to write songs more than a clean desk, an organized room and an uncluttered keyboard. An organized fridge counts as self-care.

Finding this language has helped me stop misunderstanding myself. That alone has been a gift.

Shout out to my depth and altitude people!

The Depthomaly

Photo credit: Naje