03.12.24
Helena Hahn lived on the tropical, wind-swept island of Sint Maarten, a place filled with traditions, tightly woven relationships and gossip. While she excelled in mathematics and could memorize pages of poetry effortlessly, Helena often struggled to decode the subtleties of human behavior; including her own. Her cat, Blavasky was always near her side.
Her mind was intentionally imagined as intricate library, each memory cataloged by date and emotion. But emotions, she found, were like books in foreign languages—fascinating yet accpetingly incomprehensible. On the rare occasions when she tried to connect with others, her words sometimes felt like unintentional barbs, and she would see the flicker of hurt in their eyes. The townspeople, though polite, whispered behind her back: How can someone so clever be so calous?
Her closest friends, Emma and Miguel, were gentle and kind, yet there was always an unspoken tension. They avoided mentioning what Helena couldn’t see: her inability to grasp the cultural rhythms of St. Martin. The island celebrated community above all—spontaneous Caribbean remixes of Christmas music, shared Pastelles, and intricate traditions—but Helena seemed indifferent, often retreating to the library she worked in or her safe abode.
One day, Miguel brought her a peculiar map he’d found in an old book. It was titled The Journey to Emotional Maturity and featured islands marked with curious labels: “Self,” “Relationships,” “Capitalism,” and “Culture.” Helena studied it for hours, intrigued by its metaphorical geography. She pasted a copy into her mental library, turning to it again and again as she tried to make sense of her interactions.
Island Selfie
Helena saw herself navigating the Island of Self, climbing the mountain of “Philosophical Meditation” and occasionally wandering into the “Valley of Emotional Identity.” She had visited “Self-Love” once or twice but found its terrain unfamiliar and hard to stay in. She spent much time in “Emotional Scepticism,” believing that emotions were unreliable compasses.
“Am I stuck here?” Her negative automatic thoughts inquired.
Bridges to Others
The map showed pathways to the Island of Others, but these felt like rickety bridges. Helena often tried to cross to “Politeness” and “Charity,” but the locals on St. Martin saw her attempts as insincere. She couldn’t master the charm that made their community so vibrant, and her friends’ unspoken disappointment hung heavy in the air.
One day, Emma confided, “Helena, you’re brilliant, but you don’t seem to see us. Not really.” It was the first time someone had spoken openly about the gulf between Helena and the people around her. Helena, startled, dissociated at her library and pulled out the map again. Here she recognised where she truly lived.
Capitalism Conundrum
The islanders worked hard but lived simply, while Helena pursued her own goals with single-minded focus. She saw her successes as “Authentic Work” but often found herself trapped in the swamp of “Failure” when she frequently failed to meet others’ expectations. Her achievements brought her confidence but also isolation, as they widened the gap between her and her community.
“Am I selfish for wanting to stay here?” she asked herself, staring at the map’s winding pathways.
A Cheerful Despairing Culture
Helena avoided the Island of Culture, finding its “Cultural Consolation” and “Appreciation” alien concepts. But as December approached, the island buzzed with preparations for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Helena was invited to speak again—her analytical mind was admired, even if her presence often felt like a storm cloud.
She spoke about the map that had guided her introspection and mindful, critical self-reflection. “I am still learning to cross the bridges between us,” she admitted. “I don’t always know the right words or gestures, but I want to understand. I see the world through this map—every path, every island. And yet, I wonder… how do you see me?”
Her question lingered in the air, leaving the audience of predominantly neurodivergent Caribbean people in aporia—a state of puzzled reflection. Helena’s honesty was disarming. Perhaps she had missed many of their traditions, but she had, in her own way, invited them to see her map, her mind, her world.
And as the townspeople left the gathering, they began to wonder: What maps do we carry? How accurate were they and how do they occlude us to the journeys of others?
What is neurodivergence?
Neurodivergence means our brains work in different ways, kind of like how some people are right-handed and others are left-handed. 🧠 Our team are aware of the criticism of many “learning theories” (including the left vs right dichotomy) such as lack of reproducibility, multiple differing structures proposed, small sample sizes, etc… We recommend taking a deep dive in adult learning using the references below. Some people might think differently, feel emotions in a unique way, or learn things differently. For example, people with ADHD, autism, or dyslexia are neurodivergent. It’s just another way of being human—like having different superpowers! 🌟 Got a question on any of our article? Ask us!
Is there such a thing as a bad question?
Nope! We really believe that! 💊Asking questions is how we learn new things. 🤔 Even if it seems silly, it might help you or someone else understand better. So, keep asking questions—it’s like opening doors to new adventures in your brain! Sometimes you can offend and hurt but, the world is already doing the same anyway.🚪✨
How would I know if I were neurodivergent?
You might notice that you learn or think in ways that feel a bit different from other people. Maybe you have a super sharp memory 🧩, you love focusing on one topic for hours 📚, or you see patterns others don’t 🎨. If you’re curious, you can talk to a grown-up or a doctor to learn more about yourself. Everyone’s brain is unique! 🌈
References
1. Merriam, S.B. and Baumgartner, L.M., 2020. Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide. 4th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
2. de Botton, A. and The School of Life, 2019. The School of Life: An Emotional Education. London: Penguin Book
Leave a Reply