Hey there—let’s be real: the world is a lot right now. Between the news cycle, systemic messes, and personal life hitting you with back-to-back plot twists, it’s easy to feel like you’re barely keeping up. Maybe you’re juggling burnout, money stress, mental/physical health difficulties, or just the existential dread of existing in 2025 (same, tbh). But here’s the thing: you don’t have to power through alone. 🫂

This month, we’re breaking down body-based (somatic) exercises to cope when everything feels like too much—because survival mode isn’t sustainable, and you deserve tools that actually work for your body/mind, not against you ❤️‍🩹!

• Somaticize first, strategize second.

Overwhelming situations can trigger trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn, fine, faint). The body holds these experiences, so cognitive strategies alone may not suffice. Many neurodivergent and trauma survivors also experience dissociation (a.k.a. checking out) or sensory overload. Have you tried yoga? 😆 JK! Instead, we suggest:

• Body Scanning for Activation: Pause and notice where tension or numbness resides (e.g., clenched jaw, tight chest). Gently place a hand on that area and breathe into it, allowing the sensation to shift.

• Titration & Pendulation: Alternate focus between a distressing sensation and a neutral/pleasant one (e.g., cold water on wrists, a soft blanket).

• Taste/Smell Anchors: Keep strong mints or essential oils to "snap back" into the body.

• Bilateral Movement: March in place or tap thighs alternately to integrate the brain hemispheres.

• Co-Regulation with a Safe Person: Sit back-to-back with someone and sync breathing. This regulates the nervous system.

• Havening Touch (Self-Soothing): Gently stroke your arms or face to activate calming neuropathways.

• Use interoception tools (e.g., weighted blankets, fidget toys) to ground.

• If verbal processing is hard, draw or move to express the overwhelm.

For many of us, feeling safe while accessing our bodies is a lifelong journey. If any of these feel like they’re doing more harm than good, stop immediately and try another. In the coming Survival Support, we’ll explore other types of exercises and possibilities. In the meantime, check out the info for our next support group meeting in the Announcements section below.

THE NEUROMANCERS MEMBERSHIP
COMMUNITY IS LIVE!

After years of running our successful Discord server, we have officially launched our paid international online community. It prioritises care over content and friends over followers and has no ads, algorithms, or repression.

Starting at £10, with the NEUROMANCERS Membership, you will access:

💞Community Platform: An international, digital community available 24/7, ready to help you. As a member, you’ll help our community to evolve and create the change you want to see in the world.

🎟️Exclusive Online Events: Including body-doubling and check-in sessions every single week AND featured live workshops.

📚Library of Resources: OVER 200 Articles, essays, workbooks, worksheets, and a collection of exclusive workshops from leaders in the neurodivergent+ community.

❤️‍🩹Care Programs: Peer Solidarity Groups, Peer Solidarity Pairs, and so much more! ​

Not only will you have access to our invaluable community and all the perks, events, resources, and programs that come with it, but your membership will also help sustain our work.🥹

Click on the button below to learn more and join:

Last month, our Founder, Aiyana Goodfellow, was invited by the brilliant Survivors Leading Essential Education and Change (SLEEC) team to talk about adult supremacy, its impact, and youth justice's role in our collective liberation.

Watch the full interview here:

ONLINE WORKSHOPS

Crazy’s in the cracks

DATE: Sunday 15th June 2025

TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM UK TIME / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT

This is a discussion based on observations from my experiences as a Mad and multiply marginalized bodymindspirit within various spaces of identity and leftism/radical liberation/social justice. Not only is sanism prevalent, but it also prevents us from understanding and embodying the spirit of collective liberation for all of us, whether Mad or sane.

To get the recorded session AND a discounted ticket price, become a member.

Death to the DSM

DATE: Wednesday 25th June 2025

TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM UK TIME / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT

This is a community research and development project where we collaborate on a peer-led zine exploring the varied experiences of the neurodivergent+ community. Each monthly session focuses on a different neurodivergent+ 'trait' or experience. 

You do not need research experience to join us. We just need you, the trust to share your experiences, and an interest in discussing neurodivergent+ and disability theory!

To get the recorded session AND a discounted ticket price, become a member.

Peer support: Share Sessions

DATE: Tuesday 3rd June 2025 (and every Tuesday)

TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM UK TIME / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT

Share Sessions are a weekly practice in Peer Solidarity, exclusively for NEUROMANCERS members. Within these sessions, you will receive and offer simple, practical, and emotional support! ❤️‍🩹

Each week, you'll witness your own incredible growth and strengthen your relationships with other members. This is a space for NEUROMANCING, falling in love with your (neuro)divergence.

Body doubling: Focus Sessions

DATE: Wednesday 4th June 2025 (and every Wednesday)

TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM UK TIME / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT

Messy room? Unfinished art projects? Nappy hair? No problem! Our focus sessions will help you clean, colour, and comb your way to success.

Focus Sessions are encouraging and empowering weekly events for NEUROMANCERS members only. Through body-doubling, you will boost your productivity and celebrate your wins, big and small! ✨ We centre what productivity means to YOU.