My ADHD Journey: Finding Solace in Nature, Navigating Italy's Chaos, and Seeking the Soothing Calm of British Culture

After years of struggling to put a name to my experiences, I was finally diagnosed with ADHD.

For those of us who live with this condition, it's not just about the inability to focus—it's a complex, daily battle against disorganisation, impulsivity, and the chaos of life. Living in Italy, a country known for its beauty, rich culture, and spontaneous way of life, has been a double-edged sword in my ADHD journey. While the landscape has provided a haven for self-regulation, the societal structure around me has often worsened my symptoms.

Nature as a Sanctuary

I’ve found solace in nature. For me, being surrounded by the Italian mountains, the British countryside or the calming shores of the Mediterranean sea offers a sense of peace. The sensory experience of being outside—whether it's the rustling of leaves, the feel of grass underfoot, or the smell of the sea—grounds me. Nature allows me to hit pause on the mental overwhelm, giving my brain the space to breathe, process, and focus in a way that my indoor environment rarely can.

Research consistently shows how beneficial time spent in nature is for ADHD (here an example). It reduces anxiety, improves focus, and helps regulate emotions. For me, this is essential. Whether it's a long walk in a nearby park or a hike in the mountains, I feel a sense of clarity afterward that I can never quite replicate indoors.

Italian Culture and the ADHD Challenge

But stepping back into everyday life in Italy is where the real challenge begins.

I love Italy; I was born and raised here, and its culture is a big part of who I am. But the very aspects of Italian life that make it charming—the last-minute plans, the "let's do this tomorrow" mindset, the disorganization that permeates everything from social life to government bureaucracy—are the things that exacerbate my ADHD.

Disorganization in ADHD is often internal; it's a battle we fight within ourselves. So when the world around us is also disorganised, it compounds the problem. Italy’s "domani" (tomorrow) culture, where things are often postponed or done last minute, turns every task into a potential source of anxiety. For someone like me, who craves structure and predictability to manage my symptoms, this inconsistency can feel overwhelming. Plans often change on the fly, deadlines are fluid, and miscommunication is rampant—triggering my ADHD brain into overdrive.

Appointments, especially medical ones, are often subject to rescheduling. Emails and calls go unanswered for days, and important details get lost in the shuffle. For someone already struggling with organisation, these daily challenges make it nearly impossible to find balance. Everything requires extra effort, extra mental energy, and patience—things that, when you have ADHD, are already in short supply.

A Lack of Understanding

What’s more frustrating is that even those who are supposed to help seem unaware of the needs of neurodivergent individuals. ADHD is still largely misunderstood in Italy, and mental health in general doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Doctors and specialists often overlook the real struggles of those with ADHD, dismissing it as laziness or lack of willpower.

In Italy there’s very little guidance or accommodation, whether it’s in the workplace, in healthcare, school or in social situations.

Finding support, or even being taken seriously, can be a battle in itself. ADHD is more than just an inability to focus—it’s about emotional regulation, time blindness, hyperactivity, and often anxiety or depression. But these complexities are not well understood here, making it difficult to access resources or therapy that are specifically designed for neurodivergent needs.

The irony is that while Italian culture places such value on family and community, it often overlooks the mental health needs that could help people thrive within that very culture. The expectation to "just deal with it" is pervasive, leaving many like me feeling isolated and misunderstood.

The Calming Structure of British Culture and Its Impact on ADHD

While Italy’s lively and spontaneous culture can be overwhelming for someone with ADHD, the British culture, by contrast, offers an environment that feels more naturally accommodating for neurodivergent individuals. This is not only due to specific interventions or support systems but also because of how British society operates on a broader level.

The UK places a high value on politeness, structure, and efficiency. The culture is more formal and often focuses on clear, thoughtful communication. The famous British "May I" culture—where people ask for permission or make requests in a gentle, structured manner—creates a predictable and respectful interaction, which is a relief for someone who struggles with impulsivity or sensory overload. The social norms around queuing, speaking in turn, and maintaining a sense of order also make daily life less chaotic for those with ADHD, who often find unstructured environments mentally exhausting.

Moreover, time management and punctuality are deeply ingrained in British culture. Meetings, schedules, and appointments are taken seriously, which can be hugely beneficial for someone with ADHD, where time blindness and difficulty organizing can be daily struggles. In contrast to the often last-minute and flexible scheduling in Italy, the UK’s attention to detail in planning and communication helps create a more predictable environment.

The overall quietness and gentleness in social interactions in the UK, compared to the more exuberant expressions typical in Italy, can also be soothing. This is especially helpful for people with ADHD who may find loud environments and spontaneous social interactions draining or overwhelming. The British preference for more reserved and calm expressions of emotion naturally aligns with the needs of someone who thrives in less stimulating surroundings.

In essence, while both cultures have their strengths, the British approach to efficiency, communication, and societal order can feel more supportive and calming for those managing ADHD.

Seeking Balance

So, how do I manage it? Navigating life with ADHD means constantly striving for balance, and for me, that balance is often found in nature. While Italian culture presents unique challenges—where spontaneity and disorganisation can heighten the chaos of ADHD—the structure of British culture offer a refreshing contrast. This difference highlights how much the environment we live in shapes our ability to manage ADHD symptoms.

However, neither culture is perfect, and managing ADHD is a personal journey. I’ve learned that no matter where I am, finding pockets of calm—whether it’s in the tranquility of nature, establishing personal routines, or creating spaces of quiet—is crucial. Whether it’s the grounding influence of a walk in the Italian countryside or the organised, calm structure of British life, both offer lessons in how I can create my own sense of order.

In the end, balance comes not from perfect conditions, but from learning how to adapt and advocate for ourselves within the environments we live in. As more awareness grows in both countries about neurodivergence, I hope that those of us with ADHD will find more understanding and support, wherever we are.