Creative Pep Talk 536 - Rest and Retreat as a Neurodivergent Creative with Katherine May
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Dec 24, 2025 Bestselling author and illustrator Andy J. Pizza chats with Katherine May, sharing his unique vision of rest as a neurodivergent creative. They delve into the challenges of ADHD, exploring how Andy finds solace in motion and the restorative power of hyperfocus. With a whimsical discussion about dream retreats, he reveals his ideal escape—Howl's Moving Castle—where fantasy worlds feel like home. The pair bond over the magic of Miyazaki films and Fraggle Rock, embracing the need for novelty and the art of staying curious in creative practice.
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Resting In Motion For ADHD
- Andy J. Pizza says ADHD makes resting hard because the brain needs stimulation and novelty to avoid severe boredom that feels like pain.
- He frames rest for neurodivergent people as 'resting in motion' rather than sitting still.
Italy Trip Taught Limits Of Low-Stim
- Andy describes a family trip to Italy where low-stimulation activities like walking ruins worked for two or three days before he needed more novelty.
- He learned he needs a mix of activities on vacation to avoid depletion.
Fictional Worlds As Rest Spaces
- Andy chooses fictional retreats (Howl's Moving Castle) to design spaces that fit his neurodivergent needs: motion, life, and magic.
- He values environments where everything feels alive and unexpectedly meaningful.