My Story

Hi, I’m Sophie, the founder of Calm and Collected Co.

This business began as something deeply personal. For as long as I can remember, I knew I experienced the world differently — but I didn’t have the words for it. At school, I often felt lonely, embarrassed, or “too much.” I was told I was dramatic, overly emotional, or just hormonal. As I grew up, my family saw me as the loud one, the emotional one, the one who liked things a certain way. Every time I became overwhelmed, it was put down to tiredness and “early nights.”

The truth was, I wasn’t just emotional — I was autistic, though I didn’t know it yet.

Growing up differently

Even in primary school, there were signs. I was often drained after a day in the classroom, and my doctor at the time told my parents I was suffering with “mild exhaustion.” It was their way of explaining the consistent tiredness I felt — though now I understand it was because I was masking.

Masking is something I only discovered years later while researching autism. It’s the act of hiding your natural behaviours and reactions in order to “fit in” or avoid standing out. I didn’t know I was doing it, but looking back it explains so much.

At school, teachers described me as quiet and reserved, which always surprised my parents — because at home I was loud, energetic, and myself. The difference was simple: at home, I didn’t feel the need to hide. At school, I was constantly performing. And that performance came at a cost. Masking is utterly exhausting, and now it makes complete sense why I was always tired as a child (and why I still feel that way today).

Alongside this, I struggled with overwhelming emotions and sensory challenges. Mouth noises like chewing or swallowing were unbearable for me (I now recognise this as misophonia) — to the point where my body would physically react, my shoulders hunching and head twitching like I wanted to fold into myself. At the time, we didn’t see it as a sensory reaction, just “quirks” that made me different.

Taking the first step

Like many people, I spent years researching autism quietly, dipping in and out of acceptance and denial. Part of me was scared to seek help in case I wasn’t “autistic enough,” or because I worried others would think I was just jumping on a trend I’d seen online.

In my second year of university, after weeks of building up courage, I finally submitted an online form to my doctor. I explained how much my struggles were affecting my daily life, and asked for help. The same day, I got a call back from a nurse who kindly asked me what I wanted them to do. It wasn’t harsh, but my chest tightened and I froze. Saying the words out loud felt impossible.

I broke down, rang my partner, and he gently told me: “You need to ask for a referral for an autism diagnosis.”

When I called the nurse back, I forced the words out. She was incredibly patient, listening as I poured out my childhood experiences and the moments that suddenly made sense when viewed through an autistic lens. Not long after, I was booked in with a GP.

At that appointment, I walked in with a colour-coded, categorised list of my symptoms, observations from others, and research I’d done. I cried through most of the consultation, but my doctor was calm and kind. We went through the assessment questions together, and I scored 9 out of 10. She wasn’t surprised.

Where I am now

That was about a year and a half ago. I’m still waiting for my full autism assessment (through Right to Choose), and I’m still learning to say the words “I am autistic” without hesitation. But every day, the pieces fit together more.

And that’s where Calm and Collected Co. comes in.

Why I started this

Throughout my journey, sensory tools have been a lifeline. They’ve helped me release tension, find calm when emotions are too much, or focus when the world feels scattered. I wanted to create a space where others could access these same kinds of tools — thoughtfully curated, not random — to meet different sensory needs.

Our boxes aren’t about one-size-fits-all solutions. They’re about acknowledging that we all experience the world differently, and sometimes a little sensory support can make things feel more manageable.

This blog will be a place where I share more about neurodiversity, sensory well being, and the ways small tools can make a big difference. And maybe, like me, you’ll find a bit of yourself reflected here too.

Thank you for being here. This is only the beginning. 💛

— Sophie