Could many of us be neurodivergent having this common special interest for abandoned places? What do you think?

I've always said you gotta have something a little off about you to have a genuine and real passion for this hobby. Something about being a social outcast, or even just feeling a disconnect from regular society to make going places you aren't meant to be a whole lot more appetizing. I'm autistic and this hobby is one of the my main focuses in my life. I have other hobbies, but I prioritize exploring, and spend most of my time focusing on it. I think neurodiversity and this hobby go pretty hand in hand.

Without a doubt.

Certainly degrees of wacky exist...

I have a touch of the 'tisim so yeah.

Couldn't agree more, You have to be a really special kind of person to urbex.

We're the best

I won't speak for anyone else here, but I'm certainly out standing in my own field.

I personally think it's more of a change in our moral compasses. Urbex is technically not at the loss of anyone else, therefore we value it as something normal and okay.

Posted by Roro Could many of us be neurodivergent having this common special interest for abandoned places? What do you think?

As someone who is neurodivergent (adhd) and has had a hyperfixation on abandoned buildings for awhile, i’d say it’s definitely a possibility haha

I'm not diagnosed with anything, though I definitely don't fit the mold, but I can say for certain that a lot of what's considered "normal" for hobbies can be pretty boring to me. And UE isn't your run-of-the-mill hobby. Though the line between normal and unusual can be pretty blurry sometimes.

Posted by NeuroticMatt I have a touch of the 'tisim so yeah.

all the best people do

I also am rather nuerospicy and I most DEFINITELY think that this hobby accommodates it. There are just some things that I really feel exploring fulfills that nothing else can. In a years time UE has both changed me and really become a big ol' focus of mine. And I don't think it'll ever leave. I love abandonment, decay, being underground, architecture, finding unique solutions to get into places, heights, old brick and PIPE ORGAAAANS, WAY too much to just stop and never want to do any of it again. There's something special about coming home at 4 in the morning covered in poop and asbestos.

I've always felt a level of distance between me and most people out there, It's hard to relate to a lot of people when you would much rather run around in a sewer than play video games, see a movie or do whatever regular people do. I think this hobby really allows for nuerodivergent people to really embrace those strange interests with other people, and build a sort of community around it.

I have autism and ADHD, so I like to walk long distances without getting tired, so that's why storm drains are fun for me to keep exploring and if I like the drains enough, then I keep going back over and over again just to walk in the tunnels. Walking makes me feel good along with climbing ladders as well. That's something I never get tired of doing but on occasion I take minor breaks from exploring for maybe a few days, but it doesn't happen all the time (LOL). I will say that it seems like other explorers can't always keep up with me when I'm hyper and walking in drain tunnels super-fast without the other explorers wanting to take breaks because they are tired (LOL). As long as it's not too slippery in the drain tunnels I can usually walk very fast, but I very rarely ever get tired (LOL). I'm also a night owl, so I love to be out at night (LOL). I've been to be out at least 12AM to 4AM popping manhole covers just for fun and I'm usually alone when I do this (LOL).

Never got diagnosed but I definitely know there's something wrong lol. As long as I'm having harmless fun with my hobbies, I don't see a reason to put a name on anything.

I certainly know that I have a touch of ADHD and autism. That may be a slightly major part of why I enjoy this hobby so much.

Sorry, accidentally triple posted. Please delete this message

Wow! I accidentally got a triple post. If this message is seen by a moderator, please delete it.

Well, I for one have certainly never called myself "normal" !

Posted by Wowee I certainly know that I have a touch of ADHD and autism. That may be a slightly major part of why I enjoy this hobby so much.

That's very true. That's a great way to put it. I totally agree with you.