11 Comments
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Notes from Pelle's avatar

Such a wonderfully , insightful writing . It reminded me of my own childhood and ADHD experiences!

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Anette Spills the Tea's avatar

This really spoke to me. I describe having ADHD like everything is floating in the ocean and I am swimming hard trying to round everything up. Every time I grab 2-3 things, the other stuff in my hand floats away. I could never "get a grip" on time and tasks. Yes, we are smart. We are not broken. I did very well in school myself but in "real life" I feel like a mess due to challenges with executive function. Anyways, thank you for sharing this. Subbed!

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Ruminations in Ink's avatar

I love that metaphor :)

Especially because the stuff floating in the ocean can so easily drift out of reach and out of sight — you know it’s happening, but you can’t really tell how much was lost, or what exactly it was.

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Anette Spills the Tea's avatar

Yup, and it's exhausting.

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Dan McGraw's avatar

I can relate so much to what you’re talking about as putting those labels on myself once. But those that are gifted are unique and fit in different places than others might. A flower doesn’t have to perform to be beautiful or appreciated. Your favorite dog can’t see color. Don’t lessen you or buy into the critics opinions. Without doing a thing you are worthy of all of the love in the universe.

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Ruminations in Ink's avatar

I agree — we often feel stuck when we don’t succeed on the path others expected us to take. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find success in our own way.

We just have to reflect on what success truly means to us — and stop equating our worth with it, especially when it's based on someone else’s definition.

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Natalie's avatar

This felt like it was my own thoughts… I can ABSOLUTELY relate 🫶

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Heartfelt Boundaries's avatar

Love this. ADHD and high IQs can go together and still be difficult to deal with! Appreciate you sharing! Definitely subscribing. 💙

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Ruminations in Ink's avatar

Thank you so much 😊

Yes, in some ways I actually think this combination can trigger even more negative self talk, because smart kids often feel like they have to live up to high expectations - both internal and external.

This makes failing at supposedly easy things only more soul crushing, unless you learn to dismantle those expectations.

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Intoobus's avatar

Hey! I saw your post pop up on my homepage and wanted to show some support. If you get a chance, I’d really appreciate a little love on my latest newsletter too always happy to boost each other!

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Ruminations in Ink's avatar

Sure, I'll take a look ^^

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