10/25/2013
We have ups and downs. Lately mine have been frequent. some days I am motivated and ready to get things done. others, not so much. The last couple days have been "not so much" days. I haven't been feeling well either, which of course doesn't help matters. Motivation to complete unwanted tasks is something I have had difficulty with for as long as I can remember. Waning motivation. It's like the tide, and it seems like I have to fight more and more for high tide.
I feel it's times like this when strength of mind is important. I have difficulty getting over how I feel and just making myself do what needs to be done. I don't think this is something specific to ADHD. We could all use some mental strength, right?
my experience growing up with AD(H)D. The hype of diagnosis, the battle to decide for or against meds, and of course the random ranting and raving that comes to mind here and there
Friday, October 25, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Energy
Energy. something we tend to have a lot of (at least until our 30's)
One thing that probably saved me throughout adolescence was running. I ran and ran. I was a national competitor when I was 14 (AAU), and an IHSA State qualifier when I was 17. I ran a half marathon the summer before senior year with a sub-6 minute pace. As you can tell I am very proud of this.
Growing up with A.D.D., having something to work for, something to be proud of, helped me a lot. There were always times where I didn't fit in or felt out of place, and I could fall back on what I was good at. Most of the friends I had were runners who were willing to overlook my weirdness and hyperactivity because I was a valuable asset to the team. And when they got to know me, none of those things mattered. Running helped me gain acceptance.
One thing that probably saved me throughout adolescence was running. I ran and ran. I was a national competitor when I was 14 (AAU), and an IHSA State qualifier when I was 17. I ran a half marathon the summer before senior year with a sub-6 minute pace. As you can tell I am very proud of this.
Growing up with A.D.D., having something to work for, something to be proud of, helped me a lot. There were always times where I didn't fit in or felt out of place, and I could fall back on what I was good at. Most of the friends I had were runners who were willing to overlook my weirdness and hyperactivity because I was a valuable asset to the team. And when they got to know me, none of those things mattered. Running helped me gain acceptance.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Anxiety!
10/22/13
Anxiety. We all know it. Some too well.
I get it before I have to leave for work. Did I forget anything? Before a race. And recently, when registerring for classes.
I somehow had it in my head that registration began in Oct. I kept forgetting. Then I would tell my wife "I need to register for classes."
This went on for a week or so into October. Then, one day, I selected my classes and registerred. or tried to. I got an error message stating I did not have an active registration session. Then I remember an email I had received from my advisor stating registration starts mid-november. All this stress for nothing.
Anxiety. We all know it. Some too well.
I get it before I have to leave for work. Did I forget anything? Before a race. And recently, when registerring for classes.
I somehow had it in my head that registration began in Oct. I kept forgetting. Then I would tell my wife "I need to register for classes."
This went on for a week or so into October. Then, one day, I selected my classes and registerred. or tried to. I got an error message stating I did not have an active registration session. Then I remember an email I had received from my advisor stating registration starts mid-november. All this stress for nothing.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
feeling lazy, but informative.
Just sharing a few links and such. I will post more later, but just not able to stay on track at the moment.
This is what happens when I'm feeling lazy and informative at the same time...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_predominantly_inattentive
I actually did learn quite a bit from this wikipedia article, although I generally prefer medical journal or news articles for this particular topic.
This is what happens when I'm feeling lazy and informative at the same time...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_predominantly_inattentive
I actually did learn quite a bit from this wikipedia article, although I generally prefer medical journal or news articles for this particular topic.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Tough Mudder
10/12/13
So it just dawned on my I have yet to post about my Tough Mudder experience. so here we go:
About this time last yeat a buddy of mine gets this crazy notion to participate in a Tough Mudder Event. I figure it's about 9 months away so what the hell, let's give it a shot. He built a bit of an obstacle course for training and we'd meet once a week or so to train, along with doing some work on our own. My wife wasn't a big fan of this choice, since it still hadn't been that long since recovering from a spinal injury from a car accident, but once I paid the registration there was no turning back. It was worth the registration fee just to get in shape. I hadn't been able to do a pull up in years! I didn't lose much weight, but I got MUCH stronger. I will say this, having the motivation of team mates and money invested is very helpful in getting over any notion of procrastination, which is a HUGE obstacle for many or most of us with ADD or ADHD!
The event itself was a little more commercial than I had expected, but pretty well organized. I was one of the first heats, so the obstacles and course weren't too badly torn up. Believe me when I tell you the event is a FULL BODY WORKOUT!
So it just dawned on my I have yet to post about my Tough Mudder experience. so here we go:
About this time last yeat a buddy of mine gets this crazy notion to participate in a Tough Mudder Event. I figure it's about 9 months away so what the hell, let's give it a shot. He built a bit of an obstacle course for training and we'd meet once a week or so to train, along with doing some work on our own. My wife wasn't a big fan of this choice, since it still hadn't been that long since recovering from a spinal injury from a car accident, but once I paid the registration there was no turning back. It was worth the registration fee just to get in shape. I hadn't been able to do a pull up in years! I didn't lose much weight, but I got MUCH stronger. I will say this, having the motivation of team mates and money invested is very helpful in getting over any notion of procrastination, which is a HUGE obstacle for many or most of us with ADD or ADHD!
The event itself was a little more commercial than I had expected, but pretty well organized. I was one of the first heats, so the obstacles and course weren't too badly torn up. Believe me when I tell you the event is a FULL BODY WORKOUT!
Friday, October 11, 2013
#Awareness
10/11/13
So it's October. Lots of stuff happens in October. Perhaps the most recognized is Halloween. However there is much going on this month in reference to awareness. Customer Service Week is in October, as well as National Fire Prevention week. The Birthday of Mahatma Ghandi is Oct. 2, which is now observed as the international day of nonviolence. It's LGBT History Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ADD Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Down Sydrome Awareness Month, and of course, National Squirrel Awareness Month. (All the above from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October ).
So it's October. Lots of stuff happens in October. Perhaps the most recognized is Halloween. However there is much going on this month in reference to awareness. Customer Service Week is in October, as well as National Fire Prevention week. The Birthday of Mahatma Ghandi is Oct. 2, which is now observed as the international day of nonviolence. It's LGBT History Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ADD Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Down Sydrome Awareness Month, and of course, National Squirrel Awareness Month. (All the above from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October ).
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Stupid People
10/2/13
The other day I heard someone talking about a friend or relative who had been offensive, and stated they didn't realize what they had said could offend anyone. This person I had heard went on and on about how her friend or relative is always blind to how her actions and statements affect others. She went on and on about how stupid her friend/relative must be to not get it.
I've been there. It's easy to make an observation or statement and have NO IDEA you've just said or done something offensive. Personally, my thought process is askew of normal, and this was a hard lesson to learn. My parents used to always tell me "Think before you say something" and I never did. It took me pissing off a lot of people to finally get it.
Be mindful of this, when dealing with your ADD or with someone who has ADD. We do not alway see the world around us in the same way. And keep in mind that just as we don't see things the way you do, you also do not see things the way we do. Maybe there's something you're missing. Either way, don't be quick to judge, and always think before you talk!
6/9/14
Forget just AD(H)D... this applies to everyone. And even if someone genuinely deserves such harsh criticism, you still have no business sharing their shortcomings with the world. #Manners.
The other day I heard someone talking about a friend or relative who had been offensive, and stated they didn't realize what they had said could offend anyone. This person I had heard went on and on about how her friend or relative is always blind to how her actions and statements affect others. She went on and on about how stupid her friend/relative must be to not get it.
I've been there. It's easy to make an observation or statement and have NO IDEA you've just said or done something offensive. Personally, my thought process is askew of normal, and this was a hard lesson to learn. My parents used to always tell me "Think before you say something" and I never did. It took me pissing off a lot of people to finally get it.
Be mindful of this, when dealing with your ADD or with someone who has ADD. We do not alway see the world around us in the same way. And keep in mind that just as we don't see things the way you do, you also do not see things the way we do. Maybe there's something you're missing. Either way, don't be quick to judge, and always think before you talk!
6/9/14
Forget just AD(H)D... this applies to everyone. And even if someone genuinely deserves such harsh criticism, you still have no business sharing their shortcomings with the world. #Manners.
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