What is a Wandering Mind?

Our chaotic yet amazing brain works differently. We wander, dream, and create. Here you can read more…

If you've always felt a little different, struggle with concentration issues, inner restlessness, chaos, and sensory overload, you're not alone. Perhaps you've been labeled with conditions like ADD or ADHD, or you identify as highly sensitive. Your brain operates differently from the average brain. Just like us, you may have a Wandering Mind—a creative, neurodiverse, and wandering spirit. A unique mind.

This Wandering Mind drifts in all directions: during conversations, at school, at work, and even while driving. This can be seen as a disadvantage, both by yourself and by others. You may get easily distracted, often run late, and start numerous projects that you never finish. Or perhaps you feel misunderstood and unappreciated, struggling to find fulfillment in your career.

Having a Wandering Mind presents challenges, but it also brings many advantages. Over the years, we've learned that we don't have to learn how to conform to the norm, but rather to discover who we truly are. We are becoming more aware of what we need for peace of mind and a fulfilling life. Hopefully, you will find a dose of inspiration on this website.

ADHD, ADD, HSP… labels!

Some Wandering Minds have been given labels such as ADHD, ADD, gifted, or ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Others identify with high sensitivity (HSP). However, not all Wandering Minds have a label, and a label may not be as important unless it helps you.

Challenges of the Wandering Mind

Being a Wandering Mind is amazing, but not always easy. We face various challenges such as overthinking, overstimulation, difficulty relaxing, concentration issues, restlessness, and mood swings. Some Wandering Minds struggle with self-confidence and a sense of not belonging anywhere. We may have always felt a little different and find it challenging to connect. You might even be the black sheep of the family (class, friend group, or team) because you do things a little differently.

Een overzicht van de uitdagingen

Difficulty concentrating
Lack of focus
Trouble relaxing
A cluttered mind, overthinking
Insecurity
Chaotic
Easily overstimulated
Struggles with boundaries
Perfectionism
Feeling of not belonging
Sleep problems
Household chaos
Difficulty completing tasks
Issues at work
Problems at school
Difficulty maintaining relationships
Mood swings
Trouble with planning and organization
Challenges with authority
Poor time awareness
Stress, feeling tense
Constantl stream of thoughts
Procrastination
Lack of motivation

Adults with a Wandering Mind (wether ADD, ADHD or HSP or not) often experience difficulties in areas such as studies, work, household management, family life, administration, relationships, and friendships. Masking symptoms and developing coping strategies are common. Occasionally, addiction, burnout, or depression may arise.

Benefits of the Wandering Mind

Having a Wandering Mind is actually quite wonderful once you've learned to navigate the challenges. Wandering Minds are true dreamers and free spirits. We are curious and love exploration and adventure. Our minds don't follow a linear path; we enjoy taking detours. We are enthusiastic, lively, and sensitive. Creative, versatile, intuitive, and perhaps a little bit stubborn. With our creative and open-minded minds, we excel at thinking outside the box and making connections. Due to our broad interests, we can engage in conversations on various topics. We may not excel at details, but we grasp the bigger picture and have vision. Sometimes, we skip over the details and find ourselves five steps ahead of others. Wandering Minds are also innovators. When we are in our element, our energy enables us to accomplish a great deal of work. Our enthusiasm and positivity are contagious.

Positive characteristics of the Wandering Mind

The Wandering Mind has much to offer. Below is a beautiful list of positive characteristics of the Unique Mind.

Creative
Out-of-the-box thinker
Analytical
Spontaneous
Empathetic
Intuitive
Passionate
Driven and enthusiastic
Courageous
Honest and direct
Hard workers Persistent
Imaginative Intelligent
Optimistic and positive-minded
Helpful
Inspiring
Independent
Artistic or musical
Good in crisis situations
Adaptable, flexible
Open-minded
Skilled at making associations
Charming
Explorer
Solution-oriented
Curious
Youthful at heart
Versatile, quick to adapt
Wise
Experimental
Inventive
Decisive Energetic
Sharp-minded
Open-minded
Authentic
Sense of justice
Inspired
Capable of hyperfocus
Connecting
Uninhibited
Stimulating
Social
Go with the flow
Playful
Innovative
Pushing boundaries
Broad interests
Quick thinker
Dreams big
Adventurous
Relaxed
Fast
Strong desire for freedom
Always thinks in possibilities
Colorful
Easygoing

How did the name Wandering Minds come about?

The founder of Wandering Minds received a label at the age of 28: ADD. After a year of ADHD treatment, she realized that this path of approaching and treating ADD as a ‘disorder' with medication did not resonate with her. She decided to find her own way and search for alternatives to gain control over her ADD symptoms.

She shared her experiences on a blog called “Leuk Leven met ADD” (Fun Life with ADD). However, after two years, this name no longer fit. Our website is not only visited by people with the ADD label. Adults (and parents) without a label also come to us with questions about inner restlessness, concentration problems, mood swings, sensory overload, self-confidence, sleep problems, and various other symptoms of the ‘Unique Mind.'

Over the years, we have published guest articles from creative entrepreneurs, highly sensitive tiny house residents, and coaches. Slowly, it became clear that “Leuk Leven met ADD” had to make way for Wandering Minds.

ADD, ADHD or not, welcome to the Wandering Minds community!

A label like ADHD can be very helpful, especially when you want to understand yourself better, talk to like-minded individuals, and receive appropriate treatment. But whether you have a label or not, you are welcome in our community if you feel connected to the concept of the Wandering Mind. We hope you find inspiration and tips here, as well as a sense of connection (with yourself and with others).

The possibilities of a beautiful life with a Wandering Mind are endless!

We encourage Wandering Minds to not only focus on the challenges of the Unique Mind but also on the possibilities. How can you gain more control over your mind? In what way can you design your life to tap into your strengths? How can you connect more with yourself and live according to your own values? We hope to inspire you to explore these questions. When you dare to dream big, you will lead a fantastic, colorful, and adventurous life.

A different perspective

Perhaps there is still that voice in your head telling you that something is wrong with you. But is that really true? Or can you change your perspective? We are realizing more and more that the world needs Wandering Minds. We are creative and catalysts for (positive) change. Think about well-known individuals with Unique Minds, such as Richard Branson, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michael Phelps. They have all, in their own way, changed the world. Wandering Minds bring color, warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm.

Embrace and love your Wandering Mind

The more you gain control over your Unique Mind, the more enjoyable life becomes! Give yourself the time and freedom to wander, enjoy, play, dance, sing, write, and create. Our lives became much more enjoyable when we realized that we can design our lives differently. When it feels right for us, we can live differently, work differently, make different choices.