My name is Zoe. I am in my very early late forties, and I live with my partner and children in a little house in the South Wales valleys.
Three years ago, I discovered that symptoms I had struggled with for years, most notably anxiety and chronic exhaustion, were caused by the neurodevelopmental condition ADHD.
This revelation started a metamorphosis of learning and change in my life, sometimes gruelling, often shocking and frustrating.
At other times inspiring, funny, joyful.
I have learned so much about my differently wired brain, about me, but my learning curve is still in its infancy, and there are so very many others out there in the same boat. I have an incredibly inquisitive mind, and feel driven to keep investigating ways in which we can better help ourselves.
The birth of bewilderbrain…
Life changing realisations and diagnoses tend to make you evaluate what is important in life, and amidst the other chaos and flux of my brain, one thing I have realised beyond question is that nature is my saviour.
Nature and the outdoors are fundamental to me and my family. Our connectedness with nature can shape and define our experience of life, and I fervently believe that harnessing its simple but awe inspiring power in our day to day is one of the strongest tools in our self-help kit, not just for neurodiversity, but for mental health in general.
I have always loved to write, and when my mental health was at a low point a few years ago, I started to write diaries of my walks, which seemed to escalate their benefits tenfold, as I re-focused on the mindful experience in words.
I felt passionately about helping other people to use simple measures to help their mental health, or raise their mood, and as I learned more about neurodiversity, about navigating life in an often difficult world, I started to write about neurodiverse experiences and mental health.
If we explore our mental parameters, our capabilities, our compassion, with the true breadth that life demands, if we allow ourselves to be angry at injustice, if we stop limiting our perceptions of value, creativity, achievement, we let a little more light in.
I wanted to raise awareness of the uncharted ways in which neurodiversity can affect our lives, and to find the language to empower our understanding, and better articulate our unique brains to others.
I evolved into wanting to explore acceptance, celebration, and strategies for all neurotypes, for whatever wellness we can grasp in a fragile but inspiring world.
To exploring mental health and nurture in general, and the profound influences of nature, kindness, and creativity.
To carving out moments of positivity, nurture and escape in a chaotic world.
To wandering and occasionally ferocious ramblings on the delightful absurdities of life.
And to seeking out the sweet balm of humour wherever it may hide – as a therapy – as a necessity – as a fortification and sustenance in a discordant world.
*** Two bats and a squirrel…
As well as writing, I love to photograph nature, and my walking diary is a side serving of nature wandering, for anyone who may be interested, or who wants to feel mindful and connected for a few minutes.
I record the sights, sounds, and wild ramblings of my brain in exploring the town and countryside around me, photographing and finding joy in tiny moments of beauty and discovery, and hopefully offering a few minutes of respite and escape to readers.
I can be passionate, deadly serious, rocket fuelled – especially about things I really believe in.
I can also be extremely silly, and I make no apologies for this; it brings me joy.
bewilderbrain 