Neurodivergence and Thru-Hiking

As more of us are diagnosed every day, the stigma of autism continues to be reimagined. Neurodivergence is a spectrum within which the autism spectrum resides. ADHD also resides in the neurodivergent spectrum.

I Have Both

I focused my introduction post around the primary reason for my pending 2020 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I grew up in trauma and all that jazz. So many of us did. In telling my story all these years, I have found that it is only my willingness to talk about my trauma that makes me anything near special (and I recognize that I’m not special). When you tell your story of trauma, and then truly desire to hear stories in return, you realize that none of us are as alone as our trauma and mental illness would have us believe.

It is, I believe, largely as a result of my autism that I have been able to share my story and hear so many in return. If I had been neurotypical I can imagine the emotions related to my trauma would have been debilitating. As it were, my ability to look at highly traumatizing and emotionally erratic situations with a calm and logical mind has resulted in a lifetime of critically analyzing the various results of trauma in the world around me.

Walking in the Forest = Lily Can Actually Focus and Think Time

A primary problem with this, an ability I refer to as one of my super powers, is that the data continues to collect at all times and prevents me from analyzing internally. In short, I require a substantial amount of alone time because my brain works like a weird computer. If I spend that time at home I get bored and almost immediately and inevitably end up in a nonproductive Netflix binge. Because ADHD.

I require near constant, changing, and interesting stimulation or I kind of feel like I’m going insane at a phenomenal rate. That stimulation can be my own imagination, but not if my environment doesn’t provide enough distraction without being entirely distracting. People with ADHD get it. I honestly don’t know how to explain it to anyone who doesn’t already understand.

I took up hiking as a teenager because the constantly changing, but altogether predictable landscape provided a way for me to keep the ADHD occupied and not have an overabundance of data from external sources.

The Appalachian Trail

Will my neurodivergence make for some anxiety and awkward encounters on the trail? Oh, I don’t doubt it! But I also suspect I will have a very different understanding of myself by the time I reach Katahdin. I mean, as long as I don’t get sticky. Textures suck.

In addition, I am looking forward to testing out and providing reviews of products for my thru-hike for other aspiring hikers with autism-related texture restrictions.

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 12

  • Phill : Dec 9th

    Thanks for your insights and inspiration. Good luck on your journies, though I am sure you won’t need it.

    Reply
    • Lily Matilda : Dec 10th

      Thank you! I really appreciate that. 🙂

      Reply
  • Brad Davis : Dec 9th

    I look forward to following you on your journey in 2020!

    Reply
    • Lily Matilda : Dec 10th

      I look forward to having you follow my adventure 🙂

      Reply
  • Ben Kuchta : Dec 9th

    I want to follow you. How do I do that?

    Reply
    • Lily Matilda : Dec 10th

      Hello! If you want to get notified of new posts I believe there’s an email notification on here. Otherwise, my social media should all be linked through my profile. I’m still pretty new to this platform, so let me know if you have trouble finding what you’re looking for. 🙂

      Reply
  • Mary Barnhart : Dec 10th

    What a powerful read! I could relate to all of your experiences but have not been diagnosed with ADHD or Autism. Although I certainly show signs of both. My mother’s first name is Matilda. I noticed your name after I shared your link on my fb wall. I live in Maryland and have hiked all the nearby trails. Love being outdoors and the solitude of home to regroup! Hike on, hike on.

    Reply
    • Lily Matilda : Dec 10th

      I love the name Matilda! Not biased or anything… lol thank you for sharing the link, I really appreciate that! I am glad you get so much joy out of your local trails.

      Reply
  • Zach : Dec 10th

    I relate to a lot of what you write here. I find the trail to be one of the few things that can calm my mind. It usually takes a few days, but I get a profound sense of peace after that threshold. Hoping you find similar benefits. Great piece, Lily!

    Reply
    • Lily Matilda : Dec 10th

      I’m so glad people seem to be relating to this! I was so nervous about publishing it! I know what you mean about finding peace. For me, it’s almost instant. Even just knowing I’m going to be hiking or camping makes me slow down and feel calm. I’m a frequent backyard camper because of this! I’m really looking forward to my adventure next year 🙂

      Reply
  • Kelsey B : Dec 31st

    You may never read this but… this helped me a lot and also inspired me. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and realized that other people with ADHD actually understand how I have felt my whole life. The sections where you said people with ADHD just get what you meant were extremely true and made me feel better about my thoughts now I knew it was not just me. I have debated hiking the AT for some time but have been scared to do so because of my ADHD and maybe losing some of my focus tactics after a long time on trail. Any tips? Thank you so much, this has definitely helped.

    Reply
    • Lily Matilda : Dec 31st

      A diagnosis is not a record of your limitations, but rather a guidepost of what you’re capable of. The more we understand the way our minds work, and the more we accept it, the closer we are to finding our personal truth and with it our purest happiness.
      I have a client who is 90 years old and for the first time in her life she is accepting that she has ADHD. If someone who has been different than others her whole life can embrace her truth after 90 years, none of us has an excuse to limit ourselves based on our own diagnosis. We are not broken, we are not even the minority. So many more people see the world through similar lenses than we realize.
      I’m glad that you related to my post and that you’ve pushed yourself forward in your life. I wasn’t able to do my AT hike due to Covid-19, but I haven’t given up hope of accomplishing it one day. It’s not going to do anything other than teach us exactly who we are and what we are capable of.
      Fear is useless. Let it go.

      Reply

What Do You Think?