Creative Neurodivergent

08/10/2026

Good morning, lovely humans

I’ve got a little bit of difficult news to share.

Due to an urgent family medical emergency, alongside some ongoing personal health challenges of my own, Creative Neurodivergent will be closed for the foreseeable future.

Anyone that know me know that this hasn’t been an easy decision, and I’m really sorry for anyone who may be disappointed or affected by this decision.

Sometimes life has a pretty harsh way of reminding us that, before we can put our energy into supporting others, we have to stop and look after the people we love

And ourselves.

Right now, my focus needs to be elsewhere.

I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported Creative Neurodivergent, believed in what I have been trying to create, shared my work, got creative, laughed, painted, talked, connected and generally embraced the beautiful chaos I bring along the way.

I hope you’ll understand that this is a pause rather than a goodbye. For now, I need to take things one day at a time and deal with what’s in front of me.

Please look after yourselves, check in on the people you love, and remember that it’s okay to step back when life demands it.

Stay sassy, stay kind, and keep your loved ones close.

Marie x

02/10/2026

Hey folks… this is a long one so grab a cuppa and sit back and enjoy the ride….

I’m currently taking a much needed break with my mum after one hell of a difficult year — physically, emotionally and mentally. And having some space to breathe has given me time to reflect.

On who I am.
What matters.
Who matters.
And what needs to change.

The biggest realisation?

I’m changing.

And I think that’s okay….

I’ve spent most of my life being a people pleaser:

Saying yes when I meant no.
Swallowing my opinions to “keep the peace”
Putting everyone else first.
Trying to fix everything.
Trying to make everyone else happy.

And honestly?
It bloody exhausted me.

So I’m learning to say NO

I’m learning to disagree openly with those I care for rather than just agreeing all the time.

I’m learning that someone being unhappy with my boundaries doesn’t mean my boundaries are wrong.

That’s been a BIG life lesson for me!

I’m also learning that tough times show you who “your people” truly are.

Some people I thought understood me and my family have shown me that they didn’t at all.

That hurts beyond belief.

But I’m trying not to automatically blame myself anymore.

People change.

Relationships change.

And sometimes people simply aren't meant to stay together forever.

What matters is the people who do stay.

The ones who love you when you have nothing to give.

The ones who don't disappear when life gets hard.

The ones who accept that sometimes you need to say no, take time out or just re gather who you are in a complex world.

Those are my people.

I’m also finally accepting that I cannot save the entire bloody world.

I’ve spent years helping everyone I possibly can to the detriment of my health, my sanity and my family.

But my GP has reminded me that constantly pushing myself like this is making me very ill, so I’m slowly learning that I can’t keep destroying myself trying to help everyone else.

I’m allowed to say “I can’t.”

I’m allowed to step back.

I’m allowed to put my health and my family first.

And speaking of family…

My children have always had 110% of me.

Home education, adventures, advocacy, battles, experiences — the lot.

And honestly? They’ve turned out pretty damn awesome regardless of what some may think.

And then there’s my husband; my very own rock, and my mum Flossie Ralph who is always there no matter what state I’m in.

They are the calm in my storm.

The people who somehow continue to love me and show patience and kindness through all of this chaos.

I’m incredibly lucky.

And I want to spend more time actually living with the people I love, rather than constantly fighting battles for everyone.

And my friends?

Bloody hell, I have some good ones.

The people who have stuck around when I couldn’t leave the house.

When anxiety or illness meant months without seeing them.

When I cancelled plans.

When I was late.

When I was generally a complete fu***it.

Sorry Terry! 😂

And yet…

You’re still here.❤️❤️❤️

That means more than I can ever properly explain.

Life is a rollercoaster.

And mine is definitely more Stealth than Nemesis

Super Fast.

Incredible Highs and Massive drops.

Unexpected twists.

Occasionally terrifying.

But I’m still here.

And I’m learning.

Learning that boundaries aren't cruelty.

Saying no isn't selfish.

Resting isn't weakness.

Protecting myself isn't wrong.

And I don't have to sacrifice myself to prove that I care.

So yes…

I’m changing.

I’m growing.

I’m becoming a little more honest, a little less apologetic and hopefully a whole lot happier.

To those who have stayed:

Thank you. ❤️

To those who have walked away:

It hurts, but I wish you well.

And to the old me who spent years worrying about everyone else…

I think it’s finally time I worried about me too.

Thanks for listening peeps x x x

26/09/2026

In the beautiful words of exactly:

I want my Country back

This is what it means to be British.

Multi culturalism
Acceptance and tolerance of all
Blended variance of communities
Being just a fu***ng beautiful human.

If you haven’t read Louise’s poem, then I recommend you do. Together with this artwork it shows me we still have some Great people in Great Britain.

Awesome work elisabeth

The huge union jack was produced using tattered flags previously hung from lamp-posts.

21/09/2026

Need to take better pics so if any photographer friends can help please gimme a shout! But latest batch of earrings and necklaces …

Still have to add the earring parts yet but should all be done by end of the week!

If anyone is interested in any, please gimme a shout!

15/09/2026

Well that was a blast!

With Siobhán Taylor-Levene and Pearson, and Your Art Connect CIC…

Painting our most challenging mural To date crofty mine! Showcasing Cornwall’s mining heritage past, present and future. There were slopes to slide down on your bum just to get to the space, lots of surfaces and uneven spaces to get through, but we did it!

Don’t forget to message myself or art connect if you want a mural!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1PuWS3nWts/?mibextid=wwXIfr

15/09/2026

Coming soon for sale: a new range of jewellery, T shirts and bags.

Ping me a DM if you like the look of anything or want a specific look

Earrings start at £15.

All hand made

All with hypoallergenic earring backs and sterling silver hooks.

Presented in luxury gift box

29/08/2026

After a very busy day yesterday of driving through mountains, eating cake for breakfast and visiting the beautiful Conwy to hang out with the wonderfully lush Tigger Pritchard for a whole 3 hours, we fell into bed at the most stunning Lake Vyrnwy Hotel And Spa (which I got for a bargain price last minute of £79!

Our adventures got really hairy this morning when we realised there are only about 4 beds throughout the whole of Snowdon tonight, unless you’re willing to pay about £300 a night! Which I am not!

After a couple of hours of furiously scrawling through various hotel and air BnB sites , we found the perfect place to stay for the night before Ian’s birthday ….

A single bed in a hostel near Caernarfon😂😂😂😂

It’s a very nice hostel and we have a private bedroom but have to share the loo and shower with the other residents!

Don’t tell me I don’t know how to treat you Ellwood P Dowd x x x

Tonight we are at the Portmeirion festival watching Jools Holland and his blues band, then off to bed!

Highlight of the holiday is that tomorrow we get to sleep in the Dome in Portmeirion ; one of the main buildings in The Prisoner!

Ian is ecstatic.

27/08/2026

So, today’s Welsh adventures….

After leaving the wonderful Hay on Wye (yeah I know it’s not Welsh but we had to stop on the way through to look at books and laugh at a shop called number two.

We really are childish this week

Ian and I bought old stuff we don’t need and may have found the best independent comic book store. Ian of course did not buy me a 2000AD comic…….

Made friends with a Welsh pub owner and his lovely Rottie dog, Elsa, in Dolwyddelan (Y Gwydyr) who gave us a random hug as we left (the owner, not the dog ; now that’s service for you!)

Managed to double book accommodation last night (it wouldn’t be a Ralph holiday unless I forgot to book a room one night) , leaving us with nowt place to stay tonight. So, my last minute skills of finding a lush stately home room Caer Rhun Hall for a bargain price came in handy.

Even got Ian to go out for a pub meal….. his idea! mostly because said hotel’s posh menu was mostly dead “sh*t feeders” like prawns and mussels, so we gave that a wide berth. Lovely hotel tho!

Now resting in our lovely posh bed in the silent mountains (apart from next door using a hairdryer for what seems like eternity and having their TV up so loud I think they may be actually be deaf)

And tomorrow off to Conwy to catch up with the rather lush Tigger Pritchard!

Been an awesome 2 days so far!

27/08/2026

Off on our little art road trip through Wales and the surrounding area

Last night was a lush little stay farm in Crickhowell in a converted railway cottage. Left the owner a little painting behind to say thanks for such a fun and quirky stay.

Fell in love with one of their horses who gave me the best cuddles.

Currently heading to Hay on Wye via Three C***s

Of course we had to stop and get a photo because we are childish like that ..