Neurodivergent Narratives - Writing Prompt #19

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” —Stephen King

Growing up Catholic, you’d think I’d be all about St. Patrick’s Day—wearing green, celebrating Irish heritage, maybe even indulging in the occasional shamrock-shaped treat. But nope. Every year, without fail, I wore orange. Why? Mostly because I didn’t like being told to wear green. PDA much?

Looking back, it makes me laugh because, honestly, what’s more Irish than a little rebellion? And what’s more neurodivergent than refusing to follow an arbitrary social rule just because someone said you had to?

Despite my fashion choices, I’ve always loved the deeper parts of Irish culture—especially its storytelling. Ireland has a long, rich tradition of writers who didn’t just tell stories; they shaped the way we think about language, identity, and emotion. And fun fact—some of the greatest Irish authors, like James Joyce and William Butler Yeats embody Autistic culture. Joyce’s obsessive focus on structure and detail, his relentless need to push the boundaries of storytelling? Very relatable. And Yeats, with his deep internal world, rigid routines, and need to create intricate systems of meaning? Let’s just say I see some familiar patterns there.

There’s something powerful about realizing that Autistic minds have always been shaping culture, even if they didn’t have the words for it back then. Writing has long been a way for us to process the world—to make sense of our thoughts, our emotions, and, yes, even our demand-avoidant tendencies. It’s a tool that helps us see ourselves more clearly, and when we share our words with others, it’s a way to bridge connections across differences.

So whether you’re proudly wearing green, stubbornly rocking orange, or ignoring the whole thing entirely, today’s a great reminder that writing—just like St. Patrick’s Day—can be whatever you need it to be. And if you want to build more confidence in your writing and connect with a community that gets it, Neurodivergent Narratives is here for you.

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