So relatable. My interests in writing, music and personal development have endured for decades and even life-long, but I let the journal-making urge pass a few times because I just don't have enough time and energy for my existing hobbies as it us. A few months ago I became randomly obsessed with Amy Winehouse for a few weeks. It totally took over, and reminded me how powerful these phases can be. In my mid 40s now, I'm slowly learning to be more discerning and realistic. For example, I'm cancelling some group memberships for things I do like but don't feel the passion or priority for anymore, freeing up that money for other things rather than holding on in hopes that I'll get back around to it someday.
I'm so glad this resonated with you Morgana, and thank you for sharing examples with us! Like you, some of my interests have been life-long so far but others are very flitting.
Lovely read, Jessica, from a fellow ADHDer, and I was so excited to see you're training to be a counsellor! Welcome to a profession where you'll never be bored and always have lots of avenues to explore and specialisations to pick up and ways to expand (I'm a psychotherapist, 10 years in now and still curious and passionate).
Hi Skye, thank you so much for your lovely comment! I can't wait to meet more neurodivergent counsellors/therapists on Substack (maybe we need to somehow facilitate a community of us on here?). Also your posts look amazing, I'll definitely be reading them at some point!
You're so welcome! There's a few of us floating around, it would be wonderful to pull together a community. Everyone brings something different, I'm enjoying such a range of perspectives and smart, thoughtful takes. Love to hear your thoughts/questions on my posts if you ever do take a look, and I'll be keeping an eye out for your future wisdom too.
Your post really resonated with me. I’ve learned to embrace my phases (or ‘fads’ as I call them) as well as the fact that I always have loads of projects on at the same time. I used to worry about them, and all sorts of ‘wise’ people advised me to try to focus on one thing at once, or to decide what I really wanted to do with my life. But after my breakdown, I realised life is too short to conform to other people’s expectations, and that having a wide choice of things to do or research at any one time is actually fantastic.
Ali, I'm so glad this resonated with you :) 'having a wide choice of things to do or research at any one time is actually fantastic' - agreed!! I'm finding that especially helpful as I'm trying to be more digitally minimalistic, doing offline activities and research.
Hi Boyce - nobody HAS to take ADHD meds, it's a matter of personal choice. I was asked by my diagnosing psychiatrist if I wanted to be assessed for medication, but I knew before pursuing diagnosis that I didn't want to. Will probably write more about that at some stage :)
This was a great post! I relate so much. Which actually makes me question....do I have ADHD lol? Should I get checked? Awesome read.
Thank you, I'm so glad it resonated with you :) I encourage you to have an ADHD assessment!
So relatable. My interests in writing, music and personal development have endured for decades and even life-long, but I let the journal-making urge pass a few times because I just don't have enough time and energy for my existing hobbies as it us. A few months ago I became randomly obsessed with Amy Winehouse for a few weeks. It totally took over, and reminded me how powerful these phases can be. In my mid 40s now, I'm slowly learning to be more discerning and realistic. For example, I'm cancelling some group memberships for things I do like but don't feel the passion or priority for anymore, freeing up that money for other things rather than holding on in hopes that I'll get back around to it someday.
I'm so glad this resonated with you Morgana, and thank you for sharing examples with us! Like you, some of my interests have been life-long so far but others are very flitting.
Lovely read, Jessica, from a fellow ADHDer, and I was so excited to see you're training to be a counsellor! Welcome to a profession where you'll never be bored and always have lots of avenues to explore and specialisations to pick up and ways to expand (I'm a psychotherapist, 10 years in now and still curious and passionate).
Hi Skye, thank you so much for your lovely comment! I can't wait to meet more neurodivergent counsellors/therapists on Substack (maybe we need to somehow facilitate a community of us on here?). Also your posts look amazing, I'll definitely be reading them at some point!
You're so welcome! There's a few of us floating around, it would be wonderful to pull together a community. Everyone brings something different, I'm enjoying such a range of perspectives and smart, thoughtful takes. Love to hear your thoughts/questions on my posts if you ever do take a look, and I'll be keeping an eye out for your future wisdom too.
Thank you! I will be sure to read through yours, it just might take me some time to work through the backlog 😬 lol
Your post really resonated with me. I’ve learned to embrace my phases (or ‘fads’ as I call them) as well as the fact that I always have loads of projects on at the same time. I used to worry about them, and all sorts of ‘wise’ people advised me to try to focus on one thing at once, or to decide what I really wanted to do with my life. But after my breakdown, I realised life is too short to conform to other people’s expectations, and that having a wide choice of things to do or research at any one time is actually fantastic.
Ali, I'm so glad this resonated with you :) 'having a wide choice of things to do or research at any one time is actually fantastic' - agreed!! I'm finding that especially helpful as I'm trying to be more digitally minimalistic, doing offline activities and research.
Hi Boyce - nobody HAS to take ADHD meds, it's a matter of personal choice. I was asked by my diagnosing psychiatrist if I wanted to be assessed for medication, but I knew before pursuing diagnosis that I didn't want to. Will probably write more about that at some stage :)
It seems to work for many people, but sadly not for others.