
Episode #302
"You Have to Be a Writer, Abi:" A Neurodivergent Author on Writing, Unmasking, & Finding Your Voice
Abi Yardimci is a British author, mindfulness teacher, and neurodivergent creative coach living on the southwest coast of Devon, England. She's published five novels, a poetry collection, self-care journals, and a mini app called "Your Body Knows Your Truth" ...and years ago, she was sitting on a mountain in Turkey having a heartbreak-fueled epiphany that changed everything. In this episode, Abi talks about what it was like to receive her autism diagnosis two years ago and how it unlocked something she'd been searching for her whole life: self-compassion. She talks about unmasking for the first time in front of her sons, including the moment she told her fifteen-year-old exactly why she won't get in the sea ("there are things in there and they could cling to my legs and I don't like it") and what it feels like when someone finally just gets it. We also talk about how writing brought her voice back after years of performing "proper adult," how creative writing can be the most powerful unmasking tool a neurodivergent person can use, what the UK is doing differently than the US when it comes to neurodivergent awareness, and why her app lets you tap on "sweaty hands" or "knot in throat" and get a personalized writing prompt to process what your body is already telling you. This is a conversation about finding your voice! Find Abigail Yardimci: Abi's Website Abi's Instagram Abi's Facebook Abigail's Offerings: Follow Your Heart, Find Your Voice Masterclass Wednesday, October 7th — 7pm BST Online (2pm EST) 90 minutes of writing, mindfulness, and heart-led wisdom for neurodivergent brains who want to drop the mask and reclaim their voice. With a neurodivergent author who gets it from the inside. •Tickets: £7 / ~$9.30 USD • That's Me! listeners get 30% off with code THATSME (~$6.50 USD) • hello.abigailyardimci.com/follow-your-heart-masterclass Your Body Knows Your Truth: Free Mini App A free interactive mini-app for when you're in the middle of a challenging moment and your brain refuses to help you out. Tap on what you're feeling in your body, get a personalized writing prompt, and trust yourself going forward. Abigail's Books The Life Is Yours series (4 novels) Murder mystery novels Poetry collection Self-care journals Mentioned in this episode: Devon, England (southwest coast) Turkey — where Abigail had her writing epiphany 20 years ago Perinatal mental health and neurodivergent awareness (UK) Cold water swimming (and the things in the sea) Mindfulness teaching Resources: Learn more about high-masking, late-diagnosed autism: Kory's Instagram Kory's Unmasking Retreats Online courses for therapists That's Me! Podcast on Youtube

