Blog | Legally Detained

Hello :)
"When the world broke me;
I responded with music, dance and stories"

From The Psych Ward to a Social Change Activist, this is a space to share my thoughts and journey as a neurodivergent bean trying to navigate this thing we call life.

actor, artist, advocate, activist

👑🐶🧸🎀

He’s an old boi now ~ double digits 🫣

#BirthdayBoy #EmotionalSupportDog #DogsOfInstagram

Life’s a lot.

And while I will never stop speaking out, being honest and sharing the uncomfortable and often painful truths, I like all of us have to ensure I stay relatively sane (as otherwise I’m in no position to help anyone else).

So here’s a video of unapologetic authentic joy 🧸🫶🏻👑

Nothing is too small, nothing is too inconsequential, nothing is too frivolous or pointless.
Every act of kindness, every story of hope, every moment of happiness, every person who chooses unapologetic authenticity gets us closer to a kinder world ✨🫶🏻

#UnapologeticallyMe #AuthenticJoy #SpeakYourTruth #MentalHealthMatters #BeTheChange #AuthenticityMatters

I’ve officially joined the Roundhouse Works community! 🚀

Roundhouse Works is a creative collective that brings together diverse talents, fostering collaboration and innovation. It’s the perfect space to nurture and grow my freelance practice, and I’m thrilled to explore new creative opportunities, build connections, and evolve as a creative.

Here’s to exciting projects & opportunities ahead! 🎨✨ #CreativeJourney #FreelanceLife #RoundhouseWorks #CreativeActivist #AutisticArtist

✨ A Day in the Life of a Neurodivergent Creative Activist ✨

“Navigating my world with intention, creativity, and purpose 🌍💫”

Or Hannah really wanted to have a go at making a seamless carousel reel 🫣🧸👩🏼‍🎨

I’ll let you decide what fits your preferred narrative 😉

#Neurodivergent #CreativeActivist #AutisticAndProud #Neurodiversity #DayInTheLife #Advocate #CreativityInAction #SelfExpression #Neurodivergence #EmbraceDifferences #AutismAcceptance #CarouselReel

💌 send it to someone who needs it 💌

You never know what a smile is hiding :(

#YouAreEnough #MentalHealthMatters #SpreadKindness #SendingHugs #OneStepAtATime

autistic young people are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, be bullied, attempt to end their lives.

and this sadly only scratches the surfaces :(

it’s vital for all young people to find spaces they truly feel safe, empowered and that they belong as their unapologetic authentic selves.

peer support, creative spaces, are key to support the long term wellbeing of autistic people

@inclusive_arts_collective

#SafeSpacesForAll #Belonging #PeerSupport #AutisticVoices #UnapologeticallyMe #EmpowerAutisticYouth #CreativeSpaces #WellbeingMatters

It’s such an honour to be part of the NOYO family. A heartfelt thanks to Guildhall School of Music & Drama and National Open Youth Orchestra for the opportunity to experience music like never before 🫶🏻✨🎀

#NOYOFamily #MusicJourney #Grateful #GuildhallSchool #NationalOpenYouthOrchestra #MusicExperience #flautist #noyo

When the world broke me, I responded with music, dance and stories 🎀✨🧸

📸~ @danielbeacock

#NewHeadshots #Actor #Musician #Dancer #ArtistLife #CreativeActivism #ArtWithPurpose

Had an incredible time supporting today’s workshop led by the amazing Ina Leah @artwithinaleah , where song and journaling came together to help neurodivergent young people focus on gratitude and celebrate what they are proud of. 🌟 Huge thanks to the Inclusive Arts Collective @inclusive_arts_collective for creating such a powerful, safe, and judgment-free space where these individuals can explore their identities and connect with others through positive peer support and mentoring. These spaces are so vital, and we need more funding to continue fostering a sense of belonging and support for neurodivergent youth. 🫶🏻 Let’s keep building these safe havens for growth, creativity, and pride. #NeurodivergentVoices #InclusiveArts #PeerSupport #Gratitude #SafeSpaces #PositiveIdentity

“Ever feel like you weren’t given the rulebook to life that everyone else seemed to have?”

Inspired by my show- what are the unwritten neurotypical rules of society (there is no right or wrong answer- this is just a bit of fun 🤩) you personal feel you missed or where confused by growing up?

Growing up, I often wondered if I missed out on some unwritten societal rules. 🤔 For all my neurodivergent folks out there, what rules or social expectations left you confused? Drop a comment or DM me your thoughts on the ones you feel like you missed growing up. 💭 #NeurodivergentVoices #UnwrittenRules #LifeWithoutTheManual #RulebookToSociety #AutismAcceptance #NewWriting #OneWomanMusical

Breaking barriers, one note at a time – a powerful solo journey through the unwritten rules of society in my one-woman musical. And oh, was Wednesday a big barrier, but I did it and I survived!! 🎤 First time performing my solo show at an industry sharing and I couldn’t be more grateful for the feedback! 💖 #OneWomanShow #BreakingBarriers #SoloPerformance #Grateful #MusicalTheater #IndustrySharing #FirstPerformance #TheaterLife

Still time to grab your tickets for @chickenshed_uk ‘RISE FESTIVAL’ and to see the beginnings of my one-woman musical- written, directed and performed by me 😰

The Rulebook to Society

Friday 14th Feb at 8.05pm
Saturday 15th Feb at 5.05pm

Very much starting to get VERY real now 🫠 so if you don’t hear from me I am rulebooking 😂😭

#RiseFestival
#Chickenshed
#OneWomanShow
#TheRulebookToSociety
#NewMusical

Behind the scenes of ‘The Rulebook to Society’ rehearsals 📔🎀🧸

Two weeks today!! Get your tickets now 🎟️ it would be amazing to seem some familiar and friendly faces in the audience ✨

#CSRiseFestival #RulebookToSociety #NewWriting #OneWomanShow #NeurodivergentActor

It’s funny how on the outside I was the same person, but inside was a different story. We talk a lot about mental wellbeing and mental health- both of which are so valid and important but I do think we sometimes choose to glide over mental illness due to its uncomfortable and painful nature. But until we are able to speak openly about the depths of which mental illness can go, the parts which aren’t pretty or nice, we keep some of the most vulnerable members of society locked within an isolated existence.

I can’t put my finger on when I got lost in the fog of trauma-induced psychosis, but the past month has many big gaps in my memory. However I’m finally starting to find my way back. It hasn’t been easy—there were days I didn’t recognize myself, but I’m slowly learning to trust my mind and my body again. Healing is messy and nonlinear, but every step forward is progress. To anyone else going through this, you’re not alone. We’ll get through it together. 💫”

Emerging from the darkness, finding strength in the scars. Healing isn’t linear, but I’m learning to live again. 🌿 #Survivor #HealingJourney #MentalHealthMatters #HealingInProgress

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟

I’m thrilled to share that “The Rule Book to Society”, my one-woman musical comedy, will be debuting at ‘Rise Festival’ at Chickenshed Theatre in London! 🎭✨on the 14th and 15th of February. Tickets are already available, check out Chickenshed’s website, my bio or DM for a link.

This is a very special initial sharing of around 20 minutes, where I’ll take you on a journey through the life of a neurodivergent young woman trying to navigate life’s unwritten rules. From school to the psych ward, each step is more absurd—and isolating—than the last. It’s raw, funny, and deeply personal. 💖

The performance is just the beginning, and I’m so excited to see where this journey goes as I continue developing it throughout the year.

💫 Catch it at Rise Festival and join me for this first chapter of something bigger!

#RiseFestival #NewWriting #Theatre #MusicalComedy #Neurodivergent #TheatreMaking #ChickenshedTheatre #DebutPerformance #RuleBookToSociety

To become this disillusioned by so called ‘humanity’ is a different kind of pain

#DeepThoughts #PhilosophyInWords #DeepInspiration #BeAuthentic #HumanityQuotes

Yet here we are in this exact situation.
I found myself as I created this questioning the validity of the words, feeling the need to justify that ‘I know others have it worse’.
Read that again.
Take in what that means.
I felt sick. I feel sick. As a survivor who is working on a lot of things but is also an activist I thought I was pretty aware of damaging narratives surrounding women’s rights and even some of the more hidden ones. Yet when I started to think about this post and toyed over and over with what to say it dawned on me that I had fallen into the same trap I am trying to expose. That’s not to blame myself, it’s so deep rooted and intrinsic within our wiring, our society. It highlights how misogyny, and all that comes with it runs so deep within the veins of our world. It’s scary.
It’s really scary.

And how long does this post even stay up? Does it even get any engagement? The unspoken is sometimes even more frightening.

#feminism #WomensRights #CreativeActivist #YesAllWomen #EverydaySexism

In a world which can feel ever more distant. In a world filled with billions of humans yet what can feel like very little humanity. It may all seem so frivolous and futile but never underestimate the power of just being you. Hold onto your values and beliefs, unapologetically express your authenticity and those who are looking for that same hope you yearn for may just spot your guiding light 🧚🏻‍♀️✨🧸

#MentalHealthAdvocate #PersonalGrowth #authenticallyme #UnapologeticallyMe #EmotionalWellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #FriendshipQuotes

Had the honour of chatting all things youth mental health with @hfehmind this morning 🧠✨🫶🏻

It’s always a joy to connect, converse and collaborate with likeminded individuals and organisations- our voices are always stronger together 💕

I connected with @hfehmind when I attended parliament with @emotiondysregautism for an event organised by Socialist Education Alliance with @nationaleducationunion on Youth Mental Health hosted by @nadiawhittomemp . I am excited to hopefully collaborate with Nick and the Team @hfehmind again in the future! 💙🦋

#HFEFMind #NoMindLeftBehind #parliament #YouthMentalHealth #YoungMentalHealthAwareness #LivedExperienceInterview

Autistic meltdowns aren’t just triggered by one big thing—they’re the result of countless small stresses building up over time. Sensory overload, social expectations, and even minor changes can all add a little more to the bucket. Some days it overflows, other days it doesn’t. It’s unpredictable, but it’s not a loss of control—it’s the mind and body reaching their limit. Understanding this is key to supporting and respecting the process.

Felt like the right time to share this animation I made as part of a project I was involved in.

My buckets pretty full right now still, but I know it’ll pass and I’ll be ready to face the world again soon 🫶🏻🧸✨

Look after yourselves- don’t let that bucket over flow xx

#Autism #Meltdown #NeurodivergentExperience #BucketTheory #ExplainingMeltdowns #CreativeActivism #BurnoutRecovery

sometimes it takes your body to remind your brain it’s times to stop, to rest, to disconnect, to heal & to reset ✨🫶🏻🧚🏻‍♀️

it’s okay to disappear for a while until you feel ready to face the world again, until you feel like you again 🧸🎀

burnout exists because we have made rest a reward rather than a right 🔥😔

that’s before we mention autistic/adhd burnout- expecting neurodivergent people to conform into neurotypical standards is ableist as f**k.

unlearn what society has taught you, and do what you and your body/ brain need to survive, live and thrive 🫶🏻✨🧸

see you all soon xx

#AutisticBurnout #ADHDburnout #restisproductive #disconnecttoreconnect #TakingABreak #SelfCare #mentalhealth

🧚🏻‍♀️🎭🎨

Pan 2024/5

(I intend to make more zines this year ✨)

#zine #ZineMaking #Bujo #ZineCulture #ZineLife #ZineArt #HandmadeZines #CreativeTherapy #CreativeActivist

My 2025 Vision & Quote Boards ✨

#VisionBoard #VisionBoardGoals #2025VisionBoard #manifestyourdreams #manifesting #growthmindset #growthquotes

✨🎀🧸
“Be so authentically me, others feel safe to be themselves too”

Thank you @artwithinaleah for leading such a beautiful workshop on Sunday for @inclusive_arts_collective - Stimming to Dance Workshops 🎨🩰🪩

It’s been an incredible experience so far watching the team and young people grow and connect. The power of creativity is one we too often underestimate and this experience has already been truly transformative for me personally and also sparked many thoughts and ideas in relation to using creativity for autistic identity and wellbeing 🎀🧸✨

#InclusiveArtCollective #StimmingToDance #Dance #AutisticArtist #PeerSupport #WalthamForest #CreativeActivism

❤️‍🩹cw- mental health

At the beginning of 2024, I made just one resolution…

… one whole year- the first in over 10 years.

Thank you 2023 Hannah, for your strength in giving it just one more go. The bravest thing I’ve ever done is continue when I really didn’t think I could. Forgiving the version of me who fought to keep me alive, the version I created to help me survive. Time for me to continue at the wheel and drive.

There IS a life to be lived around the pain.

Goodbye 2024 ✨

#Goodbye2024 #Healing

The good, the bad and the ugly

2024 ✔️

The year i chose to stop just surviving, but embrace living and sometimes even thriving 🫶🏻�🎀🧸

#2024Recap #GrowthMindset #NewYearNewMe #MentalHealthRecovery #neurodivergentinsta

is this what they call healing?

❤️‍🩹 🧸🫶🏻

ps- I have found my new aesthetic (& obsession) ✨

#HealingJourney #InnerPeace #MentalHealthMatters #MyPeople #Authenticity #SelfAcceptance #BakingGoals #Friendshipsof2024

lessons I’ve learnt because life is journey, each moment builds our understanding, we are defined by what we define ourselves.
We live in a social construct, and we are the builders. This means we can reconstruct and rebuild our own meaning, our own definitions, our own lives.
Construct your own narrative.
Be kinder than you feel.
Let go of expectation.
Do what you know is right.
Be you.

#LifeJourney #SelfGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #BuildYourself #SelfReflection #ConstructYourNarrative #MindsetMatters #LiveWithPurpose #DefineYourself #ReconstructYourLife #LifeLessons #BeAuthentic

with love 🫶🏻

#SelfLove #BeautifulQuotes #SunsetPhotography #foreverenough

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

@legallydetained

My
Story

About me

Hello and Welcome to Legally Detained,

Where did 'Legally Detained' come from you may ask- it is after all a pretty wild name! Stuck in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit on a Section 3 back in 2019, it was actually another patient who suggested I bite the bullet and create a blog. The only name I could think of was Legally Detained, I loved it but thought others might think it was a bit much! However my fellow patient loved it and although it wasn't until a year later I actually created my first blog, here we are 5 years later and Legally Detained has grown.

Click to read more...

Mar 1, 20246 min read

#wearenotbeingfussy

This week has been Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Beat have chosen to shine a spotlight on Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder...

Feb 4, 202412 min read

Okay, so maybe things can change...

(TW/CW- suicide, self-harm, inpatient) Dragged from the small white walled room I had been kept in, in just a hospital gown, no...

Nov 12, 202311 min read

What 3 years out of inpatient has taught me

CW- talk about mental illness, hospitalisation 11th August marks 3 years from my last inpatient admission- a date I'll be honest for a...

May 18, 20235 min read

Don't Kill Yourself

For those who don't understand will think this is obvious. But for those of us who do, know this can be the hardest thing to do. I get...

Apr 16, 20235 min read

I’m not just defiant and stubborn

As I grew up I never understood who I was. I had frequent shutdowns, was highly anxious and just couldn't cope with what others viewed as...

Mar 10, 20235 min read

I don’t want to be included. I want true inclusion.

At the beginning of this year 2023 I had my autistic characteristics used against me yet again. My potential to add value to a situation...

Click for all

Hello :) "When the world broke me; I responded with music, dance and stories" From The Psych Ward to a Social Change Activist, this is a space to share my thoughts and journey as a neurodivergent bean trying to navigate this thing we call life. actor, artist, advocate, activist

​

My Story