Refusal and Selective Compliance

Sor Juana did not openly rebel, but she practiced refusal: she would not give up her books, would not stop writing, would not fully surrender her intellectual authority. She complied selectively, protecting what mattered most. For neurodivergent people navigating a world designed for neurotypical minds, this practice is essential. You cannot mask everywhere, attend to everything, or conform to every expectation. Selective compliance means choosing your battles: perhaps you stimulate openly in your home but use subtle stims in professional settings; perhaps you maintain your sleep schedule even if it means missing social events; perhaps you refuse the pressure to make eye contact but maintain friendships in other ways. This concept affirms that refusal—especially refusal of expectations that harm your wellbeing—is not selfish or defiant; it is a form of self-preservation rooted in justice. Sor Juana's quiet refusals model how to protect yourself while remaining engaged with the world.