By Kai Hilton
Communications Officer – Design & Visitor Experience
As a neurodivergent person, my brain is wired slightly differently. I am very sensitive to noise, and I often find loud or crowded environments quite stressful. It’s painful and overwhelming, my brain gets cloudy and I can’t focus. Anxiety rises. Get me away from that crowded town centre with horns blaring and the dull hum of stranger’s conversations. Get me to a flowing tidal river filled with lively waders, or a forest filled with fresh air and the sound of chittering, fluttering birds.
I’d describe my mind to be a whirlwind of racing thoughts, ideas and generally a random song. When in nature, it is one of the few times my mind is quiet, only focusing on my surroundings and not darting around to every erratic thought.
Armed with my trusty camera, I get endless amounts of joy from trekking around nature reserves, looking for my next photo target.
Being surrounded by nature is a soothing, sensory experience. Sometimes I stop and take a moment to close my eyes and tap into my senses. Listening to melodic bird calls, gentle creaking of the swaying trees, and muted tones as I tread along the earthy ground. Taking a deep breath to inhale the relaxing scents of damp foliage and sweet wildflowers, feeling the light breeze on my face.
My brain wiring also causes issues with my memory. Don’t ask me what I did yesterday, when that appointment is, or where my keys are. But feel free to send me your blurry, pixelated bird photo in your local park and I’ll gladly tell you what it is. Turns out having birds and nature as a special interest is a cheat code for overriding poor memory.
Finding an interest in nature over the past few years has brought me endless delight, a safe space, a hobby, artistic inspiration and most importantly a passion.
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