We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Britney Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Britney, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I told my high school guidance counselor that I didn’t care what I did as long as I never had to wake up before 9 AM. She told me it was an unsustainable goal. My response? “Watch me.”
Flash forward to adulthood. I was working full-time as a professional photographer (told you so, Mrs. Cain) when COVID rolled in and inconvenienced everyone. Through a series of weird life changes (an ADHD diagnosis at the age of 34, being a mom of 5 feral, neurodivergent kids, you get the picture) and joining TikTok, I finally figured out my place in this universe was to help people know they aren’t alone. The corporate world was not built for neurodivergent brains. It makes me feel good to know I’m helping people find tools that can help them thrive in a neurotypical world.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Oh my. What a loaded question.
I’m currently finishing up a 100 Imperfect Days challenge in our super-secret (but not so secret) Facebook group. Starting at the beginning of the year, me and about a hundred pals, each chose a habit to focus on for 100 days. The concept is simple: Do a thing for 100 days. If you miss a day, that’s fine. In fact, plan on and for it. Just keep doing it. We’re just trying to untrain our brains into thinking that we’re a failure if we mess up or miss a day. Your brain is a lying hoe.
Which is why I chose crafting for my 100 days. I’ve always been a crafter but pushing myself into new styles and mediums has been really exciting. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been very difficult to let go of the perfectionist side of me, but it’s really brought me into my new hyper-fixation era and I’ve loved it. Just this last weekend, I was able to submit many of these works into a local art show!
Meanwhile at the Imperfect Inspiration Planner Factory, we’re always up to something. Perhaps it may be something to do with us all being neurodivergent in our various ways.
So not only do we make planners and organizational tools for neurodivergent folx, but we also have a subscription box! The Brainfetti Box is a bimonthly subscription box that is curated + themed for neurosparkly friends who like shiny, rainbowy stuff. Each box is centered around a specific habit that folks typically struggle with. Typically, there’s always something to hyperfixate on, some sensory items, a fidget, and other snarky, neurospicy tools.
We’re also working on creating collections to launch with each box theme! Think merch, stickers, unique planners, the works. Pssst!! Our June box theme is G.T.F.O(utside): Digital Detox and Outdoor Sidequests. You can find out more about our Brainfetti Subscription Box at: https://imperfectinspiration.com/brainfetti-subscription-box
You can also find all of our planners and organizational tools at https://imperfectinspiration.com/
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Believing in yourself. Here’s the thing.. Imposter Syndrome is real. It gets into the nooks and crannies of your brain and tells you that you don’t truly belong somewhere. But your brain is a lying hoe. The trick is to start telling yourself you really fit in anywhere. If you don’t fully believe it, surround yourself with friends who do. Because on those off days where you’re giving the 100% of the 30% you can give, those friends can help you with the remaining 70%. Those are the people you need on your side. Find them. Keep them. And do the same for them.
Advocating for yourself.
I was 34 years old when I received my ADHD diagnosis. Finally, all of the math was mathing. For years, I was gaslighting myself into thinking something was wrong with me. Why do I struggle with these tasks? Why can’t I just focus on 1 thing at a time?? Well, a medical diagnosis that can be assisted with the help medications. That’s why. It wasn’t my fault. Just how my brain is built. And I know I’m not alone. The world we grew up in was made by neurotypicals with neurotypicals in mind. It’s our time now to rebuild what works for ALL of us. And if that means bringing your own chair to a crowded table, do it. Because we all deserve to be acknowledged.
First Pancaking.
My team and I like to “first pancake” things ALOT. Really, the idea is giving yourself the space and grace to make mistakes without hating on yourself too hard. If something didn’t go as planned or we dropped the ball on something, “Ok, what a first pancake. No worries. We’ve got the next one.” Yes, there have been times where our pancakes have hit the double digits. But we’re still learning and growing. And that’s ok. Life is in the imperfections. Give yourself as much kindness and love during those times as you would to little you!
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Own a business as a control freak they said. It’ll be fun they said. *insert laughing emoji here*
In complete honesty and vulnerability, I’ve always struggled with delegating tasks. Arguably, my team is better at most things than I am, but it has taken a lot of restraint to allow other people to handle my brainchild. I balance making choices that affect other people and their livelihoods. I make decisions that affect other people’s time and energy and sanity and success and joy and that has never and will never be lost on me. Which is why I couldn’t be luckier to have a team that not only supports my bedlam, but helps it continue to grow. Every. Single. Day. They are incredible and I would be NO WHERE without them.
Allowing my other humans to tackle the things in their expertise, has really allowed me to set better boundaries surrounding work. It’s also opened up more opportunities for me grow our business vision to take it to bigger and better places!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://imperfectinspiration.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imperfect.inspiration
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imperfectinspiration
- Other: Imperfect Inspiration Clubhouse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/imperfectinspirationclubhouse
TikTok : ImperfectInspiration
Image Credits
Maggie Gulling – Studio photo Abi Jo – Stylized photos of our products
