What a beautiful and inspiring post! My baby is currently 2 and I dream of having what you describe with your adult daughter. My mum and I have the easiest relationship now we both understand we're super neurodiverse but it wasn't always this way! I will keep reading in case you can help me make my neurodivergent life easier! I was only diagnosed at 37 so still kinda in the thick of the masking I think. Trying to break free!
Dear Hannah, this read settled something in me. Felt like a kinship. I look forward to reading more of your writing. Thank you for the window in, it’s a comfort to hear words that sound familiar.
Hi Hannah. Thank you so much for these reflections on walking in nature. Your descriptions are lovely and resonant. I relate so much to this and you've described it so well: "As a bit of a hermit, there's likely an assumption that I don't enjoy engaging with the world. But that's far from true. While I do love my own space, I crave experiencing the world just as much as anyone else." Totally same here. I'm so glad I found your writing through Therapeutic Writers on Substack. I'll be following along!
Oh boy was that a comforting read … thank you so much Hannah. Your account of the sensory torture it can be to travel around people was really funny. Noise-canceling headphones, an eye mask, and a travel pillow work wonder for me. ;)
I am 24 and this was a strong reminder that we should ignore that our sensitivities irritate people. It can feel really threatening and somewhat humiliating at times but we shouldn’t make ourselves uncomfortable to mange their lack of empathy. 🫶🏻
Hannah, this is beautiful, eloquent, resonant and I adore every word of it. Thank you for speaking up for our neurodivergent community in a gentle, powerful way! 💜
What a lovely read. Thank you Hannah! Although my ND affects me in other ways, I can relate to everything you spoke of. For example when looking for accommodation, the decor has to be minimal with clean lines, as anything too busy looking will visually overstimulate me and I won’t be able to relax. So ironic when I consider the often chaotic condition of my own home! Lol. I guess if I’m paying to stay somewhere I want the complete opposite experience. Thank you for inspiring me - I’m going for a walk out in nature imminently! Think it’s just what is needed today 😊😘
Thanks Jess. Yeah for me it's also about minimal natural furniture - if I see a plastic set of drawers or a jazzy duvet cover I'm off 😂. So pleased to hear I inspired you to go walking! 🙏
Enjoyed reading this , thanks. Can relate to the first class thing, same with theatre seats , gigs, cinema tickets , holiday accommodation etc. Have to pay more for the accommodations they offer us as a ND family . With humour we call it the 'disability tax' in order for us to engage in stuff . Loving your insights .
Yeah so true - everything costs more and takes so much more research. I spend hours looking at the minute details of hotel reviews to see how noisy/quiet it is or to check for any potential challenges. Thanks Carla! 😊
I hardly ever read these threads than arrive in my mailbox in abundance, but began to read yours, and kept reading ... to the end. It was worth it! I empathize with so much of what you wrote - the pressure to conform when in a social situation ...
Hi Paul - thank you. Yes, the pressure to conform is so weighty isn't it, and I don't always manage not to when it doesn't suit me, but I see it as a practice. Thanks for reading 😊
There's a moment, sometime after setting off when you feel your body fall into sync. Your shoulders drop, the tightness eases, and you realise that everything is okay after all.
Perfect read for a Sunday morning. Walking is meditation, therapy, and church for me.
Hi Catherine - love that analogy. Thank you 😊
What a beautiful and inspiring post! My baby is currently 2 and I dream of having what you describe with your adult daughter. My mum and I have the easiest relationship now we both understand we're super neurodiverse but it wasn't always this way! I will keep reading in case you can help me make my neurodivergent life easier! I was only diagnosed at 37 so still kinda in the thick of the masking I think. Trying to break free!
Dear Hannah, this read settled something in me. Felt like a kinship. I look forward to reading more of your writing. Thank you for the window in, it’s a comfort to hear words that sound familiar.
Hi Jess - so sorry I've only just seen this comment, and what a lovely comment it is ❤️ Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts 😊
Hi Hannah, awe, thank you for your response 💜
Hi Hannah. Thank you so much for these reflections on walking in nature. Your descriptions are lovely and resonant. I relate so much to this and you've described it so well: "As a bit of a hermit, there's likely an assumption that I don't enjoy engaging with the world. But that's far from true. While I do love my own space, I crave experiencing the world just as much as anyone else." Totally same here. I'm so glad I found your writing through Therapeutic Writers on Substack. I'll be following along!
Hi Wilm 👋 Ah that’s so lovely to hear - thank you so much 😊
Oh boy was that a comforting read … thank you so much Hannah. Your account of the sensory torture it can be to travel around people was really funny. Noise-canceling headphones, an eye mask, and a travel pillow work wonder for me. ;)
I am 24 and this was a strong reminder that we should ignore that our sensitivities irritate people. It can feel really threatening and somewhat humiliating at times but we shouldn’t make ourselves uncomfortable to mange their lack of empathy. 🫶🏻
Hi Flore. Thank you so much and I'm so happy it made you smile. 😊
Hannah, this is beautiful, eloquent, resonant and I adore every word of it. Thank you for speaking up for our neurodivergent community in a gentle, powerful way! 💜
Hi Shreya. Thank you so much for your lovely words. 🙏
What a lovely read. Thank you Hannah! Although my ND affects me in other ways, I can relate to everything you spoke of. For example when looking for accommodation, the decor has to be minimal with clean lines, as anything too busy looking will visually overstimulate me and I won’t be able to relax. So ironic when I consider the often chaotic condition of my own home! Lol. I guess if I’m paying to stay somewhere I want the complete opposite experience. Thank you for inspiring me - I’m going for a walk out in nature imminently! Think it’s just what is needed today 😊😘
Thanks Jess. Yeah for me it's also about minimal natural furniture - if I see a plastic set of drawers or a jazzy duvet cover I'm off 😂. So pleased to hear I inspired you to go walking! 🙏
Jazzy duvet cover cracked me up🤣
Enjoyed reading this , thanks. Can relate to the first class thing, same with theatre seats , gigs, cinema tickets , holiday accommodation etc. Have to pay more for the accommodations they offer us as a ND family . With humour we call it the 'disability tax' in order for us to engage in stuff . Loving your insights .
Yeah so true - everything costs more and takes so much more research. I spend hours looking at the minute details of hotel reviews to see how noisy/quiet it is or to check for any potential challenges. Thanks Carla! 😊
I hardly ever read these threads than arrive in my mailbox in abundance, but began to read yours, and kept reading ... to the end. It was worth it! I empathize with so much of what you wrote - the pressure to conform when in a social situation ...
Hi Paul - thank you. Yes, the pressure to conform is so weighty isn't it, and I don't always manage not to when it doesn't suit me, but I see it as a practice. Thanks for reading 😊
This was great :) thanks Hannah!
Hi and thank you so much 🙏 😊
I feel this deeply! Particularly:
There's a moment, sometime after setting off when you feel your body fall into sync. Your shoulders drop, the tightness eases, and you realise that everything is okay after all.
Hi Melissa - yes isn't it a wonderful feeling 😊
Sounds like you're pursuing a low-demand lifestyle (https://neurodivergentnotes.substack.com/p/living-a-low-demand-lifestyle). You might also enjoy my nature content 🌿
A beautiful post, thank you Hannah xx
aww thanks Jo 🙏