Neurokin: Finding People Who Truly Understand You

Neurokin: Finding People Who Truly Understand You

Neurokin: Finding People Who Truly Understand You

The Search for Belonging

Have you ever been surrounded by people yet felt completely unseen? The room hums with chatter, glasses clink, and laughter ripples through the air — yet you feel like a ghost, watching life happen around you but not quite part of it.

Loneliness isn’t always about being alone; sometimes, it’s about being misunderstood.

For many neurodivergent people, this is an everyday experience. We mask who we are, replay conversations in our heads, and wonder if we’ve said too much, too little, or something strange. We ache for connection yet feel exhausted by the effort it takes to fit in.

But then — you meet someone who does get you.

Someone who senses the world in a way that feels familiar. Someone who doesn’t need an explanation for your quirks, sensitivities, or deep passions. With them, your nervous system exhales.

That person is part of your neurokin.

What Is Neurokin?

Neurokin are people who resonate with the way your neurodivergent brain works.

They don’t just tolerate your differences — they recognise, appreciate and value them.

Conversations feel natural, silences feel safe, and even your nervous system relaxes because you’re not on high alert, trying to fit in.

When you find neurokin, there’s a shift. The weight of “otherness” starts to lift, replaced by a quiet sense of belonging.

Why Finding Neurokin Matters

Living without neurokin can feel like being permanently on the outside looking in. You might question your worth, wonder if you’re “too much,” or retreat into isolation to avoid judgment.

But connecting with neurokin changes everything.

  • Psychologically, it validates your experience and helps you feel seen.

  • Emotionally, it nourishes you, creating a sense of ease and safety.

  • Socially, it allows you to drop the mask and simply be yourself.

Even one connection with a neurokin can transform how you move through the world — making life feel lighter, less lonely, and far more authentic.

How to Find Your Neurokin

Finding neurokin isn’t about meeting lots of people — it’s about finding the right ones. Look for communities where you feel accepted and understood, such as:

  • Groups built around neurodivergence. (Like my free group – Different… and Loving It!)
  • Spaces centred on shared interests and passions.
  • Workshops, events, or online forums that encourage open, respectful conversation.

Notice who makes you feel safe, seen, and comfortable in your own skin — those are the connections worth nurturing.

Nurturing Neurokin Connections

Shared understanding is powerful, but every relationship still needs boundaries, empathy, and care.

Nurture your neurokin connections with kindness and honesty.

When you do, you create a small but meaningful sanctuary where belonging comes naturally. 

Watch the Video: What Is Neurokin?

For more on the concept of neurokin and why it matters so deeply for neurodivergent people, watch my video:

Final Thoughts

Finding your neurokin is not just about connection — it’s about thriving. It’s about finally feeling understood, valued, and at home in your own skin. You don’t have to navigate life alone.

Eye Contact Can Feel Overwhelming

Eye Contact Can Feel Overwhelming

Eye Contact Can Be Overwhelming

Have you ever tried to hold someone’s gaze and felt your whole body tighten? As if their eyes were shining a spotlight straight into your soul? 

If so, you’re not alone.

Why eye contact can feel overwhelming is something many neurodivergent people struggle to explain — yet it shapes countless social moments. 

Today, I want to explore what it’s really like, and why it’s absolutely okay to look away.

The Sensory Intensity of Eye Contact

For many neurodivergent people, eye contact isn’t just “looking at someone.”

It’s a flood of sensory information — facial expressions, micro-signals, emotional cues — all processed at once, sometimes painfully so.

Imagine trying to have a conversation while someone shines a torch directly into your eyes. Your heart might race, your skin prickle, and your thoughts scatter. That’s what eye contact can feel like for some of us: too bright, too raw, too much.

It’s Not Rudeness — It’s Regulation

In many cultures, eye contact is seen as respect. But for neurodivergent people, avoiding it often isn’t about disrespect — it’s about staying regulated enough to listen and engage.

Looking away helps us process words without the overload. It’s a way of caring for ourselves so we can stay present in the moment.

 

Stories From Within

I’ve spoken to so many neurokin who’ve described forcing themselves to maintain eye contact only to feel their brain start skipping, like a record with a scratch.

One told me it felt like being dissected — exposed in a way that shut down their ability to even hear the words.

Looking away isn’t avoiding connection. It’s making connection possible.

 

Supporting Yourself and Others

If you find eye contact hard:

  • Try looking at someone’s nose or forehead instead.

  • Use nods or small gestures to show you’re listening.

  • Let people know that looking away actually helps you stay tuned in.

And if you’re supporting someone else? Release the expectation that “good eye contact” equals good communication. Connection is so much bigger than that.

Embracing Different Ways of Being Present

You are not broken for finding eye contact difficult.

You’re simply wired differently.

Let’s normalise looking away, fidgeting, or closing our eyes while we listen — they’re all valid, beautiful ways of connecting.

Watch This Video

I unpack this even further in my video Why Eye Contact Can Feel So Hard (and That’s Okay).

It’s a reassuring watch if you’ve ever worried that your way of being is “wrong.”

Let me know what resonated for you… and if you feel inclined, please like and share the video.