A Meltdown Near the Arctic Circle

Author: Chris Kinion
Date: March 5, 2026

Self-regulation and happiness comes from self-care.

Weather hundreds of miles away dramatically changed my plans, but it was beautiful here!

I stared at it. That spring, thousands of square miles of arctic tundra thawed, percolating through soil, filtering into creeks, streaming into the river before me. A torrent of melt and silt pummeled over massive stones and previously frozen shoreline, whisking under a bridge to my right. While that river churned, I sat still on a picnic table next to my motorcycle, alone, 3,600 miles away from home and hundreds of miles from the nearest city.

I travelled this far only to realize that my goal of touching the Arctic Ocean would not happen. Recent storms and thinning tread on my tires wiped out hopes of safely travelling the slippery gravel and dirt roads to Tuktoyaktuk, Canada. I had travelled all this way only to fail due to bad weather.

No, I didn’t fail. I got this far didn’t I? I had no wrecks, no mechanical failures I couldn’t fix, not even a flat tire. And I got here by myself.

I took a self-inventory. I hadn’t really rested since I crossed into Canada several days ago. Thinking that if I pushed, I could reach Tuktoyuktuk by the middle of my adventure. So I rode hard to get here: two weeks of camping, wind and music in my ears, unfamiliar places, food and people caught up to me. I melted down.

My mistake

Normally, travel of this kind allows me to reset my doom scroll perspective. The digital algorithms that populate our news feeds show us interesting, exceptional and shocking stories that corrupts our perspective. But travelling like this - touching, smelling, listening, tasting and visiting with people outside my daily experiences connects me to the deeper realities of “the world.”

Years ago, I discovered that no matter where you go, people are the same: we all care about the friends and family closest to us; we need food to eat, clean water to drink and a place to sleep. Our shared humanity binds us more intimately than we care to admit.

I deconstructed what I did wrong: I focused on attaining an uncertain outcome instead of caring for myself. Neurodivergents frequently get this wrong: the best memories of this trip so far included sitting in front of campfires, smoking cigars, immersing myself in the scenery and camping. The destinations were great, but how I felt when I did nothing really really struck me.

I realized that I needed to take care of myself before I went another mile. I called my wife and discussed my concerns. I took a “0 mile day” - where I just lived, rested, and reflected. I cooked. I smoked a cigar. I watched the river. I collected my thoughts and made a new plan. 

Make your travel your experience

While I am a relatively low-needs autistic person with a late diagnosis, people knew. They questioned my sanity for travelling alone to such remote places. But neurodivergence doesn’t affect what we can do but rather how we do it.

Neurodivergent folks can and should travel. To have a great time:

1. Respect your needs and boundaries. Take the time to be you! Honor that by limiting discomforts even while experiencing new things. 

2. Include flex or down time. Some of the best experiences come in-between the big moments. 

3. Pack light and simple. Bring fewer items to reduce stress.

4. Include comfort items that help you cope with or prevent overstimulation.
   For example:

1. Reward yourself with little treats along the way. 

2. Bring a pillow or blanket that you enjoy if you have room. 

3. Wear comfortable clothes

4. Manage stimuli (earplugs/headphones, hat and sunglasses).

5. Enjoy the journey and the destination. Depending on your mode of travel, getting there can be just as much fun. Look for opportunities to relax or engage your curiosity.

I smoked a cigar and sipped freshly pressed coffee on my “zero day.”

Not everyone enjoys travelling the way I do. But everyone should get out there and get to know some of your neighbors on this little planet of ours. Neurodivergents and neurotypicals alike need to doom-scroll reset.

I found a way. You can, too..