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Beany Brain #70: Neophobic Critters of Habit
Abigail Munday
December 02, 2025
Beany Brain: loving our jumping-bean brains!
Welcome to this issue of the Beany Brain! I hope today’s newsletter will bounce us up as we contemplate the upsides and challenges of being neurodivergent, a little beauty, some creativity, and just general yeehawesomeness.
Table of Contents
Photo of a holder of a set of 3 apple cider vinegar bottles by Abigail Munday
Neophobic Critters of Habit
I hadn’t heard the term neophobic until I was watching a live nature show called “Springwatch” with my parents-in-law in the UK this past spring.
Oh my goodness—I love that series. For one thing, one of the hosts is Chris Packham, who is autistic and a huge advocate for autistic folks.
Neophobic came up in a scene with pine martens, and I’ve since learned that other animals can exhibit fear of the new as well.
Neophobia plays a crucial role in how animals balance risk and opportunity. While caution can protect individuals from potential threats, it can also limit their ability to adapt to new nesting sites, foods or changes in the environment.
In the research, grebes and flamingos scored highest for neophobia out of all the birds in the study, the ManyBirds Project. The scientists concluded that two factors play the most important roles in neophobia: diet and migratory habits.
Might this have implications for neurodivergent humans?
Well, for one thing, flamingos are my favorite birds (you know my favorite mammals are manatees, but that’s another story for another day). Grebes aren’t bad either. In fact, we saw grebes on Springwatch too!
Anyway, it’s a fact that neurodivergent children and adults can be reluctant to try new foods sometimes—and it seems that texture preferences play a big part in this. I was just talking to two neurodivergent friends today about how we all 3 have alternating love for and aversion to eggs.
I know someone who has trouble eating chopped up onions in sauces if they aren’t cooked till soft.
Personally, I am squeamish about rubbery foods such as konyaku, squid, and sazae (sea snails). (I adore the long-running Japanese TV show Sazae-san, though.)
My migratory habits have been far and wide, and these past 11 ½ years in Kanazawa have been the longest my husband and kids have lived anywhere. It’s a good place to put down some roots.
But change is hard, whether with new foods or new places. It takes time to be introduced properly. It takes resiliency and effort, patience, stamina, courage.
Sometimes a new food or place never takes hold in your taste buds or heart.
Sometimes you need familiarity and comfort.
Neophobia: the fear of novelty. New food, new places, new people, new experiences, new schedules.
“Balance risk and opportunity.”
That’s a hard balance to get.
I applaud all of us who take new risks every day in this world that is balanced toward neurotypical-ness. (Maybe our human societies should be more adaptable and set up better for neurotypical and neurodivergent people, just like the animal world has room and need for neophilia and neophobia.)
It’s good to take risks sometimes, and it’s also OK to take a comfort break too.
Maybe watch “Next Stop Wonderland” again for the 5,842nd time.
Ha Ha Haiku
A funny haiku for you every week in every newsletter, whether it’s one of my own or one I curate for you. HA. Ha. Haiku.
Photo by Abigail Munday
One In; One Out
Decluttering types sometimes talk about the “one in and one out” method for keeping your home simplified: If you get one new thing, then get rid of one older thing at the same time.
Some friends came over for dinner the other night and helpfully brought a salad and homemade dressing. Look at the bottle full of beautiful dressing! The dressing was delicious, but the best part was that amazing bottle that DOESN’T DRIP. I’ve never seen such a great-pouring dispenser. And it’s glass, which I love way more than plastic.
I asked them to tell me where they got it and they just willy-nilly gave it to me. WHAT. That was so sweet. (And they said they love it so much that they have three more at home. Ha.)
(It’s the Japanese brand Hario if anyone is interested.)
Anyhoo, one in, one out? Yes! Now I can get rid of the stupid drippy one I’ve had for years. The lid broke ages ago and I’ve had to use a wine stopper for it ever since. Buh bye.
I contemplated “one in and one out” some more…
Maybe it could work for intrusive thoughts too.
One intrusive idea pops in.
STOP! BAM! KAPOW! Out you go, buster.
It’s decluttering time.
In comes the new and improved and happier thought.
If only…
Maybe so?
Make it so.
Photo by Abigail Munday
Yeehawesome!
Yeehawesome! is a happy-brain roundup in each issue of Beany Brain. What’s happening that’s good in brain land? What’s bringing me joy?
This amazingly delicious rice-flour bread that my husband makes for me at least a couple times a week. The other morning I had it toasted for a fried-egg sandwich and an extra piece with some special Danish apricot jam. Plus a salad with my homemade spicy radish pickles. And a cuppa, of course.
One of my favorite things to do is pick up litter. The crows and me. A Swedish company called Corvid Cleaning designed something very special:
Sesame Street bloopers!
Quote of the Week
The world is full of people trying to do good. We just forget to notice.
- Tim Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics (and a darn good Kennedy)
Beany Brownie Points and Extra Bonus Funniness
Wonderful Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday was a day once a year in college when they would suddenly and surprisingly call off all classes and we’d play all day. The cafeteria provided special fun food and we’d do stuff outside like slip ‘n slides and jello wrestling in sumo suits. This segment of Beany Brain is dedicated to that memory of silliness and fun—no words, just a photo from the week that I’ve taken or found that reminds me to let the joy in. Since Beany Brain is published on Wednesday every week (at least, Wednesday in Japan), I hope you enjoy this Wonderful Wednesday.
Photo by Abigail Munday
Today’s Beany-full Summary:
Neophobic means fear of the new, and this is true for many aspects of neurodivergent life. But the world needs all of us, whether we’re neophobes or neophiliacs.
“One in and one out” can be a good habit for decluttering your home and your mind.
Go forth in Beany joy. What will help you feel yeehawesome this week?
Thank you for reading this installment of Beany Brain! You’re very welcome to hop on by any old time.
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