I read a post a few weeks ago called “11 traits of an Indigo Adult”.

I ticked every trait on the list.

More reading led to the same, with added giggles and nudges to the ribs as I was reading it with my partner, Greta.

I have read about and been aware of Indigo Children for years and always resonated with the material, but what with my dislike for labels and a focus on just loving myself as whatever I am, I have never been driven to write down my experience until now.

Yesterday I was on the 3hr ferry from Langkawi (an island on the border of Malaysia and Thailand) to Penang.

I was on the ferry roof with the wind in my face, we were whipping across the ocean, cutting through the waves that would form crests around the sides of the boat and trail out behind us like a slipstream. The sun was low, glancing light off the sea, and the clouds and sky were changing colour in tune with the suns rays. Breathing in the expansive sea and the wildness of the wind, the warmth of the air and the light from the sun was filling me. This kind of connection with the planet fills my life and many of my thoughts. It has always been present with me and the natural world is part of my every cell.

I was brought out from my thoughts by activity closeby. I turned and watched a child interacting with his brother and mum across from me. He was draping himself on his brother, cuddling and laughing and his mum was taking photos of them to the backdrop of the sunset. I stayed watching him, dressed in his bright neon clothes, his energy was high and abundant. He was constantly touching his brother, chatting incessantly to them both, walking about. Then something shifted in the group. The brother became tired of the pulling and touching and layed quietly down with his head on the Mums lap. She became frustrated with the boy and and I could see her trying to get him to sit down, leave his brother alone or go and do something else and as I watched I knew how this was going to end. He retreated into himself, and grumpily sat, arms crossed next to his Mum, looking at the floor upset. He then got up and down, fidgetted, tried to take her hand. I knew this pattern all too well.

I wanted to go over and ask him to join me, to come and explore the boat, to adventure all it had to offer, to go and see the engine room and how it worked and go to the deck and meet the crew. To be with someone who understood and knew his need for constant stimulus and interaction.

But I didn’t, instead I looked at myself. He was a perfect reflection of all that I am.

I saw in him all that I have in me.

The hyperactivity, the need for physical contact, the questioning of everything, the inquisitiveness, the craving for connection with all around him, the bouncey unstoppable energy and how it can become irritating to others, and the grumpyness when not responded to or not being understood.

And I realised in this reflection that being this type of high energy person can be a little challenging for others and that no one really understands us, except US. We are a little particular. So I am writing this blog post to give you a little insight into how we tick.

Terms used for me could be “ADHD”, “ADD” and “hyperactive”. Sometimes I even feel “autistic” or “OCD” with my particular ways of doing things, my attention to detail, and the feeling of relief I get with everything “in its place”. These terms are all classified as some sort of “disorder” by society and the archaic systems that struggle to support those children and adults  that grow up unboxable, or are not entertained with the normal education system.

Well that’s not how I see it.

I see myself as a beautiful blend of high energy, sensitive,  life living, emotional, nature loving, box breaking, dream following, big HEARTed  cuddle bug. I live a crazy ride of a fun packed life where the highs are HIGHS and the lows can feel like LOWS.

I see this energy as a blessing, a wonderful gift. I am sensitive to things that other people miss. I feel nature in every cell of my body and connect to my surroundings and people in a way that is indescribably wonderful. I can run for weeks on next to nothing but fulfilling experiences, and best of all I can dance solidly all night with no sleep, and still want to adventure in nature all day the following day! What more could I want to be able to live my life?

However its not all hearts and flowers. There’s a tricky part to being this way.

Without controlling all this energy inside you it can become a little overbearing, for yourself and for others, so as I have grown from a rebellious child into an adult below are some of the things that have helped me.

• Communicating in different ways really helps to get my message across – NVC, compassionate communication, transparency, have all helped me be able to express what is going on inside, as otherwise it comes out all a little wacky and the poor suspecting people around me are lost, sometimes amused, sometimes hurt, sometimes frustrated. (See the Empowerment Toolbox on the Be Empowered page for more info)
• Meditations help me keep things in check, helps me keep my energy centred and bright, fills my heart, and connects me to the Divine. (See the Empowerment Toolbox on the Be empowered page for more info)
• Connecting with nature has a phenomenal affect on me – calms my energy and grounds me in a way that nothing else can, swimming in the sea, walking in forests or simply being still in amongst it. There is also enough stimulus in the many layers of the natural world to keep even the most active mind happy.
• Seeking out new experiences that stretch and expand me
• Filling my world with people who inspire me and fulfill my craving for learning and growing
• Travelling (in your neighbourhood or globally) to places where you see you do not have to fit into a box – there are ALL SORTS of shapes and sizes out there!
• Hugs or strokes – physical touch calms me, even in my most ruffled moments!
• And just working and being present with myself. Once we understand ourselves others stand a better chance!

I love being me with all my weirdness and hyperactivity, but that’s because I have had the support of an amazing network surrounding me throughout my life. Some people are not so lucky.

Now whether you relate to terms or labels or not, whether it is the more society based ADHD, or the more hippy “Indigo”, or if you believe we are simply all unique sparks of amazingness unclassified, it can not be denied that some of the kids that are coming into the world these days are a little different. They are more aware, more enlightened, more questioning and challenging to the current ways of being than ever before, they are strong willed and vibrant and want to bring change to the world.

The old outdated education system of league table style insecurities and parrot fashion teaching is not hitting the mark anymore. Alternative schooling, democratic schooling, Waldorf and Steiner Schools, Schools of positivity and homeschooling are taking the lead in allowing children to excel, to work not in comparison with someone with different skills and qualities but to are encouraged to nurture and enhance their own unique gifts. (Some of these I have had the pleasure of working within or connected with I have also added to the Empowerment Toolbox on the Be Empowered page)

The more we can adapt our systems to support these kids, the better and more their potential can truly come out and thrive. They are the change makers, the entrepreneurs, the future of our planet and we need to do all we can to support them.

And from my side I want to say a massive THANK YOU.

To my parents for allowing me and encouraging me to always be myself, and to think outside the box, and showing me that being different is a positive. And for always standing by my side through every choice I have made in my life.

To my friends, who have walked my life with me and dealt with my abundant energy after nights out, my crazy spontaneity that can shift a normal day’s plan into something random within seconds, my cuddle puddling (even when not wanted), and my irritatingly open honesty and quirky ways.

And finally to my partner. Greta. Who loves me through all my weirdness and has chosen to share my crazy rollercoaster ride of life. Welcome aboard beautiful, it’s great having you here.

And finally to all you parents, supporters, friends of US that are out there.

Thank YOU! For being there for us, and for giving us the strength to be ourselves in all our wonderfulness.

And for everyone reading this. I hope this has given you a little insight into how a little crazy, ADHD, Indigo, mind works.

Much love to you all

Gayle

x x x x x

Here is the link to the 11 traits of an Indigo Adult

And here is another awesome link describing Indigo Adults  – I related to this one a lot, especially the HDD (Hug Deficit Disorder)!! It is a post from the Indigo Life Center blog.