This week I’ve decided to get personal again. To speak less about science, less about all the logistics of a funky brain and more about personal experience. Every funky brain knows that their needs are different from those neurotypical weirdos. But how do you apply this to your life?
My space is sacred to me. Growing up, I shared a room. From the age of three until I moved out at nineteen, I slept two feet away from my little sister. And because we’re sisters so close in age, we have absolutely no respect for each other’s space. If she’s bored, she’s on my bed trying to talk tome. If I try to nab something from her snack stash, cue a fistfight for the last chocolate bar (I always win). Just sister things. But this was so different to my first time away from home. I was free for the first time and had my own space. It was incredible. I could do whatever I wanted with it and at no point was someone trying to tape a line down the middle or start pelting me with hair ties. And moving out of student halls gave me even more freedom.
My room is designed in a very particular way. Bright colours help regulate my moods, and my emotion wheel stuck to my wall lets me pinpoint what I feel when I can’t do it myself. I have sun patterns and yellows everywhere. But as soon as the sun sets, I turn on my space-themed neon lights. This is a long-winded way of saying that I need my room to resemble how I want myself to feel. My space is how I regulate my brain, and it’s important to me.
I have my hobbies on display. My ukuleles hung and I knit on my windowsill with my pillows. My art supplies are on shelves next to my bed, and my cameras sit on my bookcase. At no point do I forget these things are here because they are never put out of sight. At my desk, I have my fidgets, a few stress balls, and a squishy little man that I can throw against the wall. My desk chair swings back if I pull a lever, letting me rock myself at my desk. All my important things are in a dish right beside my door. Keys, wallet, the works. Everything I need is where I need it.
If I come home feeling upset and need to yell and scream, I play the ukulele and sing. If I’m tired from overthinking all day and need something to completely lose myself in, I take out my clay, put on Netflix and in no time, 4 hours have passed, and I feel accomplished holding a tiny ghost with a cowboy hat. Or if I’m feeling vulnerable, I’ll take time to care for my plants.
There are so many ways you can personalise this to your own brains. If you struggle with memory, have your things on display. Set zones for yourself. What’s the first thing you see when you walk into your space? Is your study space and rest space separated? What colours make you feel safe and uplifted? Make your own sanctuary away from the chaotic world and create somewhere you can go to recover when things aren’t feeling okay. Wherever your brain is right now, stay safe, stay healthy, and be gentle on your funky brain.