I’m Morgana, a neurodivergent (ADHD/Autistic) writer, country-dwelling semi-hermit and former nomad based in West Wales, UK. I’m an essayist, neurodiversity advocate, poet, and the author of ‘The Wild Wandering Arc: A Journey through Vanlife, Nature & Love’ and ‘Wild Motherhood: Tending the Fire of your Creative Spirit’.
I created Not Always Neurosparkly to explore how to live an authentic life without shying away from the challenges that come with a different neural wiring and without feeling like we have to buy the “Superpowers” narrative. I write to support us to find our belonging with ourselves and others, with all our quirks and eccentricities, whether we choose to unmask fully or not.
Expect regular articles with rich, nuanced and detailed insights into the neurodivergent experience, drawn from my life and from others in the AuDHD community, as well as tools and research to support you.
You can find out more and subscribe here.
5 little facts about me:
- I lived nomadically for several years, living on the road in a van (see my memoir for more!), in caravans on smallholdings in South-West England and Wales, and in intentional communities where I learned a lot about the lighter and darker sides of human nature!
- I was born by the sea and under the mountains in Cape Town, South Africa and still feel a deep connection to the land there, though I never resonated with the culture.
- I love to dwell near water — rivers, sea, even a pond, it doesn’t matter. My Piscean nature relaxes deeply when water is near and I feel at home.
- I took 8 tries to get my driver’s license, a struggle due to my dyspraxia. No-one can say I am not persistent!
- At age 5, I was regularly sent to the headmistress for singing in class and being otherwise disruptive. But it took me ages to realise that this was, in fact, a punishment, since her office was full of books, my favourite thing.
A flavour of my transmission, as seen through readers’ eyes
“Thank you for being vulnerable and telling it like it is, no glossing over, no sugar-coating, just the truth. I love the beautiful insights and revelations..” – Silvana
“It is so precious to me to see my difficulties put into words and understand that I’m not alone with these struggles…to see that someone beautiful, precious and loveable who I admire has these challenges makes me feel less shame and more love for myself. Priceless.”- Jessica Ive, paid subscriber on Substack.
“Excellent piece. I want the whole world to read this. I want to send it to all my people. Thank you for your acknowledgement and education. This is my backbone.” (On my neurodiversity and trauma essay)
“Morgana, this is one of the best things I’ve read on neurodivergent mothering. Truly, I could have highlighted the entire piece. You’ve described very similar feelings and experiences to my own, only I didn’t get an ADHD diagnosis until recently, and just endured decades of struggle and burnout. Thank you for sharing this beautifully written and very relatable reflection.” Read “Surviving burnout as an undiagnosed autistic mother” here.
“This is so beautiful and tender too. Thank you, Morgana for identifying and sharing so many of our never acknowledged longings. …. You have such a gift. “(on my poem, Sitting with Pain).
The opportunity you just gave me to meet a really, really important part of myself … for that, thank you. (on my essay, Justice sensitivity, ADHD and autism.)
“I am enthralled by your writing and the story that unfolds. You are so open about your doubts and vulnerabilities, yet you tell the tale with such sensitivity I cannot put the book down. Thank you.”~ Nicholas Hatton (responding to my second book)