Some of our wonderful neurodiverse staff share their stories, experiences and thoughts for Neurodiversity Week.
IG: @natasha_mahalalucyandyak
When did you realise you were neurodivergent?
I've always known I was but wasn't brave enough to figure this out and seek a diagnosis until around 2 or 3 years ago!
What does being neurodivergent mean to you?
A lot! It means that who I am is not a bad label or poor judgement by somebody but more a strength and uniqueness that holds power and ability that others may not see or understand, I love to deep dive into my strengths and interests and also love to keep learning about myself and the way my mind works. Since working for Lucy and Yak I've been made to feel accepted for the first time in my life as a ND person rather than scolded and its allowed me to blossom and spread my wings and finally seek a diagnosis, take help where needed and make life changing changes to my life and surroundings to make my happiness a priority. Without the support of my manager and colleagues and the acceptance of the customer base I would not be on this path and fear I'd still be hiding away masking and in continuous burn out just to please others and feel like I fit in!
What is a special interest of yours? Feel free to tell us more about why it’s your special interest!
At the minute it's self awareness and growth so health, mentality and lifestyle is an extremely important special interest currently and I'm learning about medication and supplements that actually work, therapy that heals, foods that keep me healthy and of course fitness along with truly understanding what being ND means! My other special interest is of course Lucy and Yak – how else do you think I got this job? 🤣 but it's also The Simpsons and I have a tattoo booked next month for my birthday to celebrate this and my love of The Simpsons! Of course I will always love cats more than humans! 🤫
What is your favourite part about being neurodivergent?
That's just it isn't it? I'm Neurodivergent. I'm not strange or loud or quiet or fidgety or different. I'm uniquely me and that's OK and it's magical because look at all my strengths!
What is important for you as an ND person when it comes to clothing choices?
It has to be comfortable, nothing rolling up exposing skin, nothing too loose or tight, nothing scratchy or coarse but also has to be the perfect colour that pleases me.
Which fabrics do you find most comfortable to wear?
Fleece or jogger material and corduroy.
If you could give one piece of advice to another ND person either in or out of a work setting, what would it be?
Always believe in yourself and your mind. It's a powerful thing and you are what you want to be, not what others want you to be or say you are!
IG: @hello_russello
When did you realise you were neurodivergent?
Ehm.. I always knew I was a bit "different", but learned there was a name (and a diagnosis) for this back in 2020/21. I finally got diagnosed with inattentive type ADHD in 2022 and haven't looked back!
What does being neurodivergent mean to you?
That's a tricky one! Looking back, being neuro-divergent (ND) has created moments of isolation and frustration when I was younger and trying to keep up with a neuro-typical way of living.
Now that I have a better understanding of my brain and how it's wired, I have a lot more self-compassion and empathy (for myself and others). I also find a special *resonance* with other ND folks <3
What is a special interest of yours? Feel free to tell us more about why it’s your special interest!
Roller skating! It's not just for kids (although I did start as a child) - I revived this interest after moving to Sheffield in 2014 and haven't stopped since. Skating helps me to forge a mind-body connection and helps me to focus on doing one thing well (as well as providing plenty of sports-endorphins).
What is your favourite part about being neurodivergent?
My creativity! I like finding creative solutions to problems, and love to learn new skills (while the hyperfocus is *strong*).
What is important for you as an ND person when it comes to clothing choices?
Comfort is key! I find I'm most comfortable in natural, breathable fabrics. I recently took steps to remove as many synthetic fabrics from my wardrobe as possible - it's made a real difference to my mindset!
Which fabrics do you find most comfortable to wear?
Cotton / linen (very excited for our spring linens to launch this season).
If you could give one piece of advice to another ND person either in or out of a work setting, what would it be?
Be kind to yourself and your mind! It's OK to be different, just gotta embrace it.
IG: @likeavideovamp
When did you realise you were neurodivergent?
Properly about five years ago, but it had been suggested to me by friends and my doctor before that.
What does being neurodivergent mean to you?
Knowing that my brain works a bit differently from a lot of other people's, and that I have to make allowances for that sometimes, and knowing that I'm a part of an amazing community of creative thinkers.
What is a special interest of yours? Feel free to tell us more about why it’s your special interest!
Rock music and going to gigs, I used to interview bands and review shows so I feel at my most comfortable at a gig, I've met so many of my friends at festivals and shows and I love the fashion and style that comes from each subgenre too.
What is your favourite part about being neurodivergent?
So many of my friends are ND too, we can bond over shared experiences and help each other!
What is important for you as an ND person when it comes to clothing choices?
Style and comfort! I have sensory issues with some fabrics/cuts so I need to be comfy, but expressing myself and my personality through my clothing is super important to my sense of self.
Which fabrics do you find most comfortable to wear?
Cotton, always! Linen also feels nice.
If you could give one piece of advice to another ND person either in or out of a work setting, what would it be?
Be kind to yourself and keep trying until you find the best methods and routines to help your brain!
IG: @wearehairypeople
When did you realise you were neurodivergent?
3 years ago.
What does being neurodivergent mean to you?
A lot of fun strengths but also yucky challenges, and it also means interpreting this question so literally I’ve now re-read it 18 times to try and figure out what it’s asking haha.
What is a special interest of yours? Feel free to tell us more about why it’s your special interest!
Painting of course haha because it’s the only time I feel right. Painting painting painting, art, painting.
What is your favourite part about being neurodivergent?
Hyperfocus, creativity and stimming are cool and fun, also creative problem solving! The community I’ve found now, although it took ages, are super amazing and I’m glad to have found it as it’s made life make so much more sense, relatable and not like I’m an alien- so the people are my favourite they’re so interesting.
What is important for you as an ND person when it comes to clothing choices?
Elastic waistbands and loose armpits! Room to anxiety sweat 😂 comfy with jazzy colours, lots of freedom to move crazily, and no labels in sight! The colours have to match my feelings and plain things aren’t usually enough so I paint on everything I own. I also have kids and no headspace for choices, so I often end up wearing the same thing for weeks if it’s working for me.
Which fabrics do you find most comfortable to wear?
Jersey and sweatshirt material, oh and bamboo!!
If you could give one piece of advice to another ND person either in or out of a work setting, what would it be?
Do what you like (I’m bad at advice that’s a very vague question 😂) although.. I don’t know if it’s advice but… Reality is the one you believe for yourself, which can really help me when my brain is too much and I need to choose what’s best for it to focus on.
IG: @alienabigail
When did you realise you were neurodivergent?
I was around 16 years old at college when I started to realise that my brain worked in different ways to others around me.
What does being neurodivergent mean to you?
It means being my true colourful, silly self, I'm unique and different compared to a lot of people in the world but it doesn't make me any less valuable or important.
I think the world needs more people to be brave and authentic as we bring the sparkle and I refuse to mask who I really am to please others’ needs as the people who are meant to be in my life will love me just the way I am.
So the title Neurodivergent is me taking control of any negativity that people have tried to put on me while I was growing up being fabulous and not in a cookie cutter average person shape.
What is a special interest of yours? Feel free to tell us more about why it’s your special interest!
I have many interests! My main one is Lucy and Yak, I've been buying Yaks since the very start and I've got a good collection now which is my pride and joy as it's colourful and I know I'm going to be comfortable when I wear my Yaks and these colourful clothes show my personality on the outside and I'm lucky enough to now work here!
I absolutely love fashion and styling outfits and doing my makeup colourful and bold to match my clothes and how I'm feeling that day.
I love going to charity shops, carboot sales, jumble sales and any other second hand shopping and finding vintage treasure to wear or to make my house very funky!
I love making any sort of art, watching comfort TV, going for walks in the countryside and a new special interest at the moment is going to events such as concerts, plays, L&Y imperfect sales and Yakfest.
What is your favourite part about being neurodivergent?
My favourite part is that I'm very creative and I can do anything that I put my mind towards, I can learn so many new things and become very good at the new things that I've learnt.
I also love that I'm sensitive and compassionate, I care so much about everything and everyone at all times and I like to make other people feel loved and safe when they're around me.
What is important for you as an ND person when it comes to clothing choices?
The two C's: Colour & Comfort!! They're the most important things to me when I get dressed. I need to dress looking like my personality and I need to be comfortable doing so because if I feel restricted, uncomfortable and not fabulous in the clothes on my body, I will get overstimulated and withdrawn which will automatically make me feel like I'm "masking" the same as I did when I dressed to fit in when I was younger.
Which fabrics do you find most comfortable to wear?
I feel the most comfortable in fabrics with some sort of elastane so I don't feel restricted or scratchy and I absolutely love fleece cosy fabrics so fleeces, hoodies, joggers etc! As long as they make me feel like I'm being hugged, that's good to me!
If you could give one piece of advice to another ND person either in or out of a work setting, what would it be?
Just be yourself, you're the main character in your life and you're probably going to be the only person who's going to be in your life from birth all the way to the end, so treat yourself with kindness and love because you deserve it and it will make your life a whole lot nicer!
And remember that there's only one of you in the world so embrace that.
Don't let "what if" stop you from achieving anything. You're in control, so ground yourself and carry on!
IG: @stephpowelly
When did you realise you were neurodivergent?
I should start by adding that I am in my 30s and part of the 'missed' generation. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 6 years old and battled through school and those early years always feeling a little bit 'different'. I struggled to make friends easily and was always considered a little bit disruptive to the way of the classroom. I was 'bossy' because I liked things being done in certain ways.
This has been an ongoing challenge for most of my life. School was difficult because it was.. boring...? I was under-stimulated. I knew I didn't fit in with the social norm so I'd spend a huge amount of time masking to try and form friendship groups that could be safe places. Throughout my life people have chucked throwaway comments like 'you're so autistic' at me but I'd never gone any further with that.
Fast forward to me at 25, sitting in a therapist's office and he says to me 'Steph, I think you're autistic. You display real traits of autism and, if you want, we should get you referred.'
Finally my life made sense - the times I'd been called difficult, blunt or rude when I'd meant no insult and would cry about what I’d done had some clarity. I was able to own this identity! After all, I'm diagnosed epileptic and the relationship between the two neurological conditions has been researched for a long time so it wasn't too surprising when the diagnosis came.
What does being neurodivergent mean to you?
I don't think about it too much in everyday life because it's just become such a part of my identity and I've managed to build a support network of people who respect me as me - even when I'm sometimes 'inappropriate' and 'heartless' with my honesty!
For me, I think it's a super power - for example, never do I have to worry about remembering my number plates or people's phone numbers because my brain just eats that stuff for fun. Need to spot a pattern in a sequence? I'm there. No-one will play Dobble or Bananagrams because my brain works too quickly for them!
Do I still mask? Sure, especially in new social situations. I think I was masking for such a long time that it has almost fused to my personality so sometimes it's hard to be myself - but we're working on it everyday!
What is a special interest of yours? Feel free to tell us more about why it’s your special interest!
Maps - I can be really 'boring' about maps but I love the process and seeing how things have changed over time but my special interest does change often. I go through phases of what I'm really interested in, which can mean starting (and not finishing) a lot of new hobbies - luckily I have a patient partner!
When I was a kid my special interest was flags - so if you ever need someone for a pub quiz team, let me know.
What is your favourite part about being neurodivergent?
It's just who I am!
What is important for you as an ND person when it comes to clothing choices?
I hate scratchy fabric but I also have some fabrics that literally make me feel sick when I touch them (velvet for example) so the material itself needs to feel right. Cotton is usually a safe bet, and I love cosy fleeces too.
Which fabrics do you find most comfortable to wear?
Probably answered above. My favourite L&Y items are Dana Jeans, Stevies, Kennys and Denvers.
If you could give one piece of advice to another ND person either in or out of a work setting, what would it be?
In work - don't try to hide who you are. Own yourself. Communication is so key to effective relationships with other co workers and helps them become better allies.