2.10.24, Four Words and Ten Steps

 

AADD.  Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. I’m not sure if the doctor listed it as an official diagnosis in my chart, but we had a long discussion about it and she gave me a prescription to manage it (and the medicine helps) so I’m taking that as a diagnosis. Below is a brief list of common symptoms. (I won’t be specific about which ones apply to me. If you know me, I am sure it’s obvious!) Can you relate to any of these? 

Some specialists have suggested the following as a list of symptoms associated with ADHD in adults:

• carelessness and lack of attention to detail

• continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones

• poor organizational skills

• inability to focus or prioritize

• continually losing or misplacing things

• forgetfulness

• restlessness and edginess

• difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn

• blurting out responses and often interrupting others

• mood swings, irritability and a quick temper

• inability to deal with stress

• extreme impatience

• taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously

                  (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/)

Knowing it has a name makes me feel so much better about my “air-headedness”(is that a word?). That "air-head" character trait followed me around for my entire life, along with the fear of appearing dumb (which is also, apparently, a thing), and the combination really tanked my self-esteem as a kid, a wife, a mother and pretty much any other role I’ve had in my life. What has cumulatively helped, along with the medication, are the tools I’ve gained over the years, which I’ll begin sharing with you here and will continue to do so, in greater detail, through the next few posts. They are (in no particular order):

1. Developing a morning routine,Habit stacking

2. Setting goals

3. Being still

4. Finding the perfect planner😃

5. Simplifying my "beauty" and wellness routine

6. Working towards a minimalist wardrobe

7. Working towards a minimalist lifestyle.

8. My extensive collection of self-help books

9. Changing and simplifying my diet.

10.  The 8-limb path of yoga and Ayurveda

My ADD symptoms have seemed a bit worse over the last few years, which is why I ended up in a discussion with my doctor. A few very stressful years took it's toll, but looking back, I can see that my brain was just on overload. The stress has eased, the symptoms have eased, but I still have to keep it in check. The one thing I know makes an immediate difference is forcing myself to spend time in stillness (#3 on the list) -actual, physical and mental stillness (meditation and Reiki, just being with myself and ignoring the thought track in my head), outside noise reduction (no tv on at home and no music in the car) and slow, repetitive, no-brainer activities like washing the dishes, folding laundry or hand-stitching, sewing, etc.  

Little pockets of time in little pockets of quiet spaces at home, help quiet my brain.

I’m looking forward to sharing this with you all, hoping some of what I’ve incorporated into my own life and what has really helped me, will also help you.

"When you inhabit your solitude fully and experience it's outer expresses of isolation and abandonment, you will find that at it's heart there is neither loneliness nor emptiness, but intimacy and shelter." ~John O'Donohue in Anam Cara

Be Still~ Juli