I always think it’s a fine balance for ADHD, we walk a tight rope between motivation and determination or demotivation and procrastination, usually we end up falling on one side or the other but if we get it right, we can utilise some really impressive skills. Unfortunately, getting it right can be influenced by all sorts of factors from mood and passion to environment.
Recently I went on a family holiday to Benidorm, we mainly went for relaxation…pool time.. beach time, so how is it that a few days in I ended up writing the first act of a stage play? Like what the heck?? I was meant to be relaxing but equally I was surprised and secretly pleased. Afterall, I didn’t go on holiday with the intention of writing a play; it was just an added bonus.
“I love those moments where we manage to surprise ourselves with what our brain can do because they are usually rare.”
ADHD Girl
Also, there is something, I think about the kind of environment you’re in that makes or breaks us ADHDers. Noisy classrooms with too much going on generally doing nothing for our focus levels, but what I have found with ADHD is it’s not so much about focus than it is about passion. If we’re passionate about something and we get that hyperfocus within our passion then there is simply not stopping us, but wait I digress.
When I go to a spa my brain switches off, it’s like it knows that’s what it’s supposed to do. I go to a coffee shop with my laptop and no cable, and my brain is like I’ve got to be as productive as possible while I still have the time. Environment I think plays a part, but I also think giving our brain a break does too, which is easier said than done when you have ADHD.
“I honestly think if we could take the nicer parts of having ADHD such as the hyperfocus, the passion etc. and combined it with the focus we needed, we’d be unstoppable!”
ADHD gIRL
I also think what works for one person with ADHD doesn’t work for everyone. Like I was fortunate enough to fly to a different country, have a few days of lying in the sun thinking of nothing and then boom this play came to life in my head. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you have to write a play, but I do think having some time to do the things you love does the world of good.
It could be a light-hearted TV show, it could be reading a book, heck it could even be just staring into space or scrolling on your phone. The point I’m making is the benefits of downtime are massive which is why the saying ‘work hard play hard’ is so true, because the more you play i.e. downtime, the more you’ll find you can get more done too.
In terms of my play, well I’ll just have to wait and see how that goes (I’m a few scenes away from finishing the whole thing) because the next part would be getting it to a stage, that’s probably where the hard work really begins…hopefully a lot more play too (PUN INTENDED!!).
