pete.news

Sign in Subscribe

HelloComputer

A weekly newsletter on being different by a non-binary, autistic person with ADHD.

A person wearing a trans flag has a badge put on their t-shirt in the middle of a march.

Being interviewed for a national newspaper about anxiety

Recently, an article went live on The Guardian looking at people who have faced anxiety head on, so they can enjoy open water swimming. I was one of those people featured in the article. The other stories are incredible, and I can’t recommend the article enough. So how did

A couple wearing UK flags are perfectly lit by sunlight as they stand under a big Eurovision heart.

Daydreaming

As a kid in primary school, I was diagnosed with daydreaming. My parents were called in to discuss the issue because I wasn’t paying attention in class. It was deemed an issue to be resolved, and I was advised not to daydream. At the same time, I was writing

Rain backlit from stage lighting fills the sky as people watch a gig.

Festival anxiety

Anxiety has been getting to me of late. From issues with swimming during jellyfish season to hoping no-one is openly homophobic to me while walking around a city in a skirt, which unfortunately has happened. I’ve been having a bit of a year with my anxiety post Eurovision. I

A giant elephant made from wood walks around an empty dockyard.

My default is AHHHHHHHH. Can I change that?

Standing on the beach seeing the tide washing jellyfish ashore, two men approach and excitedly ask if I’ve seen any jellies. I say yes and point at the large lion’s mane that has just washed up away from a smaller one. The beach is peppered with red blobs

A group of people swimming in an industrial river at dawn.

Swimming anxiety

Previously on this newsletter… When I can, I enjoy swimming in our lake. It’s safe from stingy jellies, and you won’t get swept out to sea. It’s usual a calm space to swim and float at the start of the day, along with chatting with friends and

A colourful street in Beaumaris with homes painted green, blue and white.

Should I be angry at how school failed me?

I was interviewed this week for an article on swimming and anxiety. If and when the piece comes out, I’ll talk more about it here. For now, an interesting question stuck with me. “Do you see your growth as a massive screw you to those who picked you last

A woman stands alone at the edge of the coast looking to the sea and mountains.

Autism, anxiety and wild swimming

For the past few weeks, I’ve been struggling to enjoy swimming in my local lake. There are people who will tell you all about how swimming saved them or how wild swimming is their safe space. As an autistic person, it’s complicated. I enjoy swimming. There are times