About Wandering Minds
Welcome to the beautiful world of the Wandering Minds! A world for creative, neurodiverse, intuitive and sensitive people.
What if you could experience more relaxation, peace of mind, self-confidence, energy, happiness and freedom? How would you feel if you could sleep better, to live in a calm and happy home and experience satisfaction in your work or studies? What if you could minimise chaos and overstimulation and have better relationships with your partner, children, colleagues and friends? And with all that, to feel deeply connected to yourself, other, with nature and with the world?
This is exactly what we wish to achieve at Wandering Minds. We love to inspire you to take control over your life and make the best choices for yourself, so that you experience more happiness, peace, trust and connection.
A holistic approach on neurodiversity
Wandering Minds is an initiative of the Dutch José Susanne Schrijver (1986) who was diagnosed with ADD (subtype of ADHD) at the age of 28. After a year of regular treatment, including medication, she decided to choose an alternative path and soon noticed positive results. Little information was available about alternative treatments for symptoms such as concentration problems, overstimulation, inner chaos, insomnia and restlessness. At the end of 2019 she therefore decided to share her experience with ADD and high sensitivity (HSP) in a blog, from a holistic perspective.
The concept of Wandering Minds arose when the founder realised that having a Unique Brain – what some call ADD or ADHD – can be a superpower. We need neurodiversity in the world, so a Mind that Wanders is not only awesome, but also needed!
In recent years it has also become clear that also adults without diagnoses such as ADHD, struggle with symptoms such as being easily distracted, insecurity, worrying, sleeping problems, mood swings and fatigue. We live in a chaotic world in which until recently it was all about success, performance and economic growth. Little by little we lost contact with ourselves, with our environment and with nature. This causes symptoms such as stress, burnout, insomnia, inner turmoil, loneliness and insecurity about ourselves and the world around us. The number of Wandering Minds – people with a Unique Brain – continues to grow.
Our Why
We believe there is a better way. Because there's a place in this world for everybody. Whether you are neurotypical or neurodiverse, you deserve to be happy, free, healthy and balanced.
For example, wouldn't it be amazing to live in a world in which we are more connected to ourselves, to each other and to nature? A world in which health, zest for life, freedom and (self) love are more important than the money on our bank account and our possessions? Wandering Minds believes in growth and success. But for us, it is not about economic growth and material success. The point is that we are allowed to determine our own definition of success. In that way, we can become the best and happiest version of ourselves. And together we create a beautiful, sustainable and connected world.
“To inspire neurodiverse people to look at their health from an holistic perspective and from there, make better choices. In that way, they can live a happy, healthy life. Connected to themselves, each other and nature.”
More and more people are realizing the principle of “as within, so without”: our inner world determines our reality. The question is: in what ways can we improve our inner world? We are continuously looking for the answer to this question, and we share our findings.
Wandering Minds continues to grow
Since its foundation in 2019, WanderingMinds.world has grown into a platform on which various experience experts and professionals share their vision and experiences. In recent years, wanderingminds.nl (the original, Dutch version) has welcomed between 500-1200 daily website visitors and interest in an alternative approach to “the Unique Brain” continues to grow. Therefore, we decided to translate the content to English, German and Portuguese.
More and more people identify with the Wandering Mind: the dreamer, the wanderer, the adventurer, the creator. Dare to be different, dare to think differently, dare to make different choices. A little rebellious, intelligent, out-of-the-box & open-minded. The world needs more Wandering Minds. Embrace yourself, your talents, your uniqueness, and join our community.
Inspiration, Stories & Life Hacks for Unique Brains
Are you looking for tips, tools, stories & life hacks to make your life better?
Wandering Minds is here for anyone with a Unique Brain – with or without a diagnosis such as ADHD, ADD and HSP – who has always felt different and is looking for ways to become the best, most authentic and happy version of themselves.
Living with a Wandering Mind can be fantastic! We are creative, versatile, a little rebellious and full of life. Where others may think ‘this is impossible', we see a way. With our wandering mind and our ability to dream big, we create an adventurous, colourful and inspiring life.
Of course there are also challenges. Concentration problems, a brain that’s always active and overstimulation are things that we have to deal with on a daily basis. Fortunately, with our hunger for self-development and our perseverance, we are learning to deal with this better and better!
Wanderingminds.world connects people with a Unique Brain with the right professionals, products and with each other. But we also give tips and Life Hacks for more focus, self-confidence, health, energy, satisfaction, peace, relaxation & self-love. Finally, we share stories from other Wandering Minds, for recognition and inspiration.
Get inspired, join the community and don't miss a thing!
About the founder
When José was 28, she was experiencing burnout and during this time, got diagnosed with ADD. All bits of the puzzle fell into place; she finally understood why certain things were so difficult for her during her life. She also came to understand why the outside world often labeled her as lazy, chaotic, differentand sometimes even weird.
After a year of (very valuable) therapy, including the use of medication, she decided to follow her own path. She ‘declared herself as healed', left for New Zealand to travel for a year in a van, which she converted into a campervan. In this beautiful place, along adventurous paths through the mountains, along rivers and many steep climbs, her perception changed. She thought:
“I don't have a disorder but a Unique Brain, that just works differently. From now on I will do everything I can to find acceptance, peace and self-love, and to get a grip on the challenges of this brain. I let go of the expectations of others and society, and start living my way.”
The name ‘Wandering Mind' was born, and she launched her first blog. When she returned from New Zealand, she decided not to work for an employer anymore, but to start working as a freelancer. To organize her life in a way that suits her values, wants and needs. A life full of freedom, adventure, creation, love and connection. A few years later – working as a digital nomad for over 2 years – Wanderingminds.world was born.
With love and enthusiasm, she shares her experience with ADD. But we also share the experiences and tips from other Wandering Minds and professionals. Hoping we can all inspire each other!
Not all those who wander are lost.
But even when we are lost, do not worry.
because we might be lost in the right direction.
What is een Wandering Mind?
Dreamers & Wandering Spirits, Adventurers
You may have come to this website because you have been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD. Or you are highly sensitive. But a Wandering Mind is above all a dreamer, free thinker and adventurer. Where someone else may follow a linear path, your brain wanders in all directions. This can be a challenge, but also very valuable! Because of this Wandering Mind you dare to dream big, and you can live a beautiful, colorful and adventurous life.
Creative, rebellious, open-minded, out-of-the-box thinkers
We may be a little rebellious or even stubborn, but I prefer to call it open-minded, creative and out-of-the-box. Wandering Minds are good at connecting dots, often have a strong vision and are extremely creative. We may be a little different from neurotypicals, but that doesn't make us any less valuable! For example, a healthy dose of rebelliousness or stubbornness can be a huge driver of change. And change often means growth.
Empathetic, intuitive, versatile, high-spirited and enthusiastic
Children and adults with (or without) ADHD, ADD or HSP are extremely enthusiastic, spontaneous, empathetic, intuitive and versatile. These qualities allow us to empathize with others, have beautiful relationships, arouse enthusiasm in ourselves and others, and learn many different things in our lives. Life with a Wandering Mind is never dull; we always bring color, warmth and spontaneity into our own lives and the lives of those around us.
Sensitive, easily overstimulated
There are also challenges. A Wandering Mind is often very sensitive (which can also be a strength) and easily becomes overstimulated. Fortunately, these are challenges that we can learn to deal with.
Trouble with focus, concentration & relaxation
The most-known ADHD symptom is difficulty concentrating. And yes, as Wandering Minds, we have a hard time keeping our attention on one thing. Also focusing for long periods of time is hard for us, especially when a subject doesn't interest us very much at the time.
But it is also difficult for many Wandering Minds to relax. Our brain goes into all directions and is never really quiet. So even when we're ‘doing nothing', we're working very hard internally. It is therefore extra important for Wandering Minds to learn to get a grip on the mind. The best tool for me was Mindfulness.
Insecurity & lack of belonging
Because we've been told all our lives that we're weird and different, that we're too much, that we're out of control and just have to behave, we may feel like we're unworthy and don't belong anywhere. It's not uncommon for a Wandering Mind to struggle with confidence and with being connected to people.