Creativity can be a powerful tool for neurodivergent individuals to navigate a world that often fails to recognize their diverse perspectives, providing a platform for authentic self-expression.
"In a world where a society that excludes us tries to define who we are, creativity allows us to tell our own stories. We’d love it if you’d sit with us for a while and listen." 🙌🏻
“What do you do when you can’t fully participate in mainstream society, and/or you feel that mainstream society is against you? You find an alternative. As someone with ADHD and depression, who often felt alienated and alone, I found my natural home with the outsiders. Creativity has long been the natural home of the misfits, the counterculturals and the radicals.
Telling stories, through whatever medium you choose, is a powerful way to help people imagine an alternative future or relate to an experience that you want to highlight. It can allow people within the mainstream to put themselves in the shoes of a marginalised or excluded person and see where the system has failed them. Stories and art get into our minds and souls in a way that facts and data never can.”
I resonated with this as a creative with bipolar and anxiety. Thank you for writing this wonderful piece. It also gave me more insight into synesthesia and how people might experience it.
I am so glad that it resonated. The power of creativity is so amazing as we try to find our way through this world.
And all of our experiences are so valuable to one another. If you have any interest in completing an interview on the topic for a feature here, you can find my form at: https://forms.gle/Em1hCq3gMYn7W5gU6
Zero pressure, just an invite. Either way, thanks for being here and glad you connected with Allegra's writing!
Loved reading this and also love the power and wonder of storytelling and creativity. I have a diagnosis of schizophrenia and used to love helping run a creative writing group in a psychiatric hospital and then one for people with a mental illness in the community. Sometimes we were lucky enough to spend time at Moniack Mhor, Scotlands National writing centre. Watching people who had never believed they could write, or stay overnight in company was wonderful. The end of stay Ceilidhs were such a expression of joy and celebration of our community!
Oh that sounds so very wonderful! One of the things I love about crochet as therapy is that it's often less intimidating to people than other forms of art like writing and painting so they can start, see their own ability to create magnificent things, gain confidence and expand on that. Beautiful.
I know there are probably other more inspiring words to use, yet those come to mind first. Thank you Kathryn for you Create Me Free publication and thank you Allegra for this beautiful powerful piece of writing. I am sitting feeling something deep inside and I am grateful for that.
Somehow I missed this comment when first shared! I would love to hear more about these writing groups!
I'm glad that Allegra was able to share it with us. So important to have these varied perspectives!
Another great post, Kathryn, and a lovely way to be introduced to Allegra.
So happy that you've had a chance to read it. Her work is terrific.
"In a world where a society that excludes us tries to define who we are, creativity allows us to tell our own stories. We’d love it if you’d sit with us for a while and listen." 🙌🏻
💙💙💙
“What do you do when you can’t fully participate in mainstream society, and/or you feel that mainstream society is against you? You find an alternative. As someone with ADHD and depression, who often felt alienated and alone, I found my natural home with the outsiders. Creativity has long been the natural home of the misfits, the counterculturals and the radicals.
Telling stories, through whatever medium you choose, is a powerful way to help people imagine an alternative future or relate to an experience that you want to highlight. It can allow people within the mainstream to put themselves in the shoes of a marginalised or excluded person and see where the system has failed them. Stories and art get into our minds and souls in a way that facts and data never can.”
I resonated with this as a creative with bipolar and anxiety. Thank you for writing this wonderful piece. It also gave me more insight into synesthesia and how people might experience it.
I am so glad that it resonated. The power of creativity is so amazing as we try to find our way through this world.
And all of our experiences are so valuable to one another. If you have any interest in completing an interview on the topic for a feature here, you can find my form at: https://forms.gle/Em1hCq3gMYn7W5gU6
Zero pressure, just an invite. Either way, thanks for being here and glad you connected with Allegra's writing!
Thanks for your comment and the invite. I’m definitely interested! I’ll take a look at the form.
Also happy to have a guest post or collaborate in another way if the form doesn't feel fitting for you. <3 <3
Loved reading this and also love the power and wonder of storytelling and creativity. I have a diagnosis of schizophrenia and used to love helping run a creative writing group in a psychiatric hospital and then one for people with a mental illness in the community. Sometimes we were lucky enough to spend time at Moniack Mhor, Scotlands National writing centre. Watching people who had never believed they could write, or stay overnight in company was wonderful. The end of stay Ceilidhs were such a expression of joy and celebration of our community!
Oh that sounds so very wonderful! One of the things I love about crochet as therapy is that it's often less intimidating to people than other forms of art like writing and painting so they can start, see their own ability to create magnificent things, gain confidence and expand on that. Beautiful.
If you ever have any interest in completing an interview for a feature here, you can do so: https://forms.gle/7PzzK93xK7Pmq2EL8
WOW!!! and THANK YOU!!!
I know there are probably other more inspiring words to use, yet those come to mind first. Thank you Kathryn for you Create Me Free publication and thank you Allegra for this beautiful powerful piece of writing. I am sitting feeling something deep inside and I am grateful for that.
Really glad it resonated. I was so thrilled to have Allegra's important perspective here.