But let’s rewind. I grew up mostly in Hertfordshire, England, (just outside of London.) But, because of my Dad’s job, I also spent a good chunk of my childhood in New York City; Geneva, Switzerland and Tokyo, Japan. I’ve visited Japan 7 times in total to date, and I think of Tokyo as my unofficial second home. It’s my favourite city on the planet. I’m lucky and grateful to say that family holidays abroad were a regular thing for me growing up, so I’ve had the travel bug my whole life!

However, even though I looked like a normal little boy, I always felt quite ‘different’ from others around me. I spoke very clearly and used formal words or carefully structured sentences in casual conversation. Sometimes, I said things where I meant well, but were inappropriate for the situation; which offended others, or made them scoff and laugh like I was hinting at something not very nice.

I started reading early; and preferred to keep to myself and watch videos at get-togethers. I was a fussy eater. I entertained myself at school break time (recess) alone, with my hands and my imagination. I was sensitive and a little bit eccentric. I said and did things I copied from TV or video games that came off as weird in real life. I tried and failed to fit in at multiple schools. I didn’t share many hobbies with other kids, and I loved Sonic the Hedgehog. (I still do!)

I’m not sure what exactly led my parents to get me assessed, but when I was around 9 or 10 years old, my Mum told me I had “mild Asperger’s Syndrome.” I wasn’t upset, though, I was actually curious. I even read the report the clinic had given to my parents!

Since then, I’ve fought my way through countless challenges; being bullied, teased, humiliated, yelled at, misunderstood, misrepresented, harshly criticised, expelled… *inhale*… set back, fired, rejected, dismissed, invalidated, taken advantage of, unsupported or insufficiently supported and suffered too many wasted years. *exhale*…

On the other hand, I’ve also been given so many compliments about my intelligence, articulation, passion, determination and good-hearted nature.
But, actual success, security, self-sufficiency and a real feeling of belonging? That eludes me to this day.

All because so many things in society and the world that we consider reasonable; or just take for granted, work against the way my mind works. That’s so much more debilitating than even I realised.

It wasn’t until I was in my 30’s that I started seeing content on social media raising awareness of ADHD; it changed my understanding of what ADHD was. I related to quite a lot of it, and I started to connect the dots. So, I went to my doctor, and after the inevitable bureaucracy, I was on a 2-year waiting list for an assessment. Finally, in the summer of 2025, I was diagnosed with predominantly inattentive ADHD, and I’m still autistic too.

I hope it will explain why it’s so hard for me to just get stuff done, and that the treatment makes it easier. I don’t want sympathy, though. Even with the paradox of a privileged, worldly upbringing; alongside the deep disadvantages of being neurodivergent and partially late diagnosed, I’ve made so many amazing memories through travel! People always tell me how brave I am to travel solo and I’m just like… what? It’s no big deal, it’s great fun!

I understand, though, that there must be loads of neurodivergent people out there who haven’t got as much travel experience as I do.

Some of us might even have never left our home country, (although that’s a lot more common in the USA, for better or worse.)

There could be so many reasons why people like us don’t feel able to travel:

• Lack of money, lack of confidence, lack of the extra care and support you might need?
• Maybe you love the idea of travelling, but you feel like you can only just about get by at home, and going somewhere so unfamiliar would just up-end all of that?
• Maybe it’s just not knowing how to travel, not knowing how to find out; and then you get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice that isn’t made with people like you in mind; and then brain go farty bye byes? 🧠💨

I get it, believe me. I’ve faced the same barriers in other areas of my life. I’ve adapted and found coping mechanisms and workarounds, as we all do.

But, travel has always been my escape; my way of exercising my liberty and exerting some control over my own life and environment. I’m at my best when I travel.

So, if you want some of that too, I’m here to help. 💙