This is fascinating, Kate. I don't have ADHD, but this makes it so clear. Especially: "ADHD isn’t characterized by a deficit of attention. Rather, it involves an inability to regulate attention. We can pay attention like nobody’s business when we’re interested enough, but other times, not so much." Thank you!
So much of this resonated with me! I never thought when I started this, it would be so hard. As an ADHDer myself, the things that are tripping me up lately are the distractions and then switching back. I’ll out of habit just grab my phone in the middle of writing and suddenly I’m scrolling instagram and I have no idea how much time goes by! The other thing that’s been tripping me up lately is the editing piece. I write it, but then I just want to be done, I don’t want to mess with all those little details! Thanks for sharing this relatable piece!
Thanks for that, Elizabeth. I'm glad it resonated. We've got both the things you mention in common. It's such an incredible effort to stop reaching for the phone. I find myself doing it without even thinking. And revision — I wrote something about the other day, that even though I know it's perhaps the most important part of the process, I find it very difficult. It's like revisiting a piece and feeling, been there, done that. It takes more effort than writing.
This is fascinating, Kate. I don't have ADHD, but this makes it so clear. Especially: "ADHD isn’t characterized by a deficit of attention. Rather, it involves an inability to regulate attention. We can pay attention like nobody’s business when we’re interested enough, but other times, not so much." Thank you!
Thanks Karen! And for sharing too!
Great post, Kate! I don’t have ADHD, but I can still relate to much of what you say. Writing is a hard, lonely business for us all!
So much of this resonated with me! I never thought when I started this, it would be so hard. As an ADHDer myself, the things that are tripping me up lately are the distractions and then switching back. I’ll out of habit just grab my phone in the middle of writing and suddenly I’m scrolling instagram and I have no idea how much time goes by! The other thing that’s been tripping me up lately is the editing piece. I write it, but then I just want to be done, I don’t want to mess with all those little details! Thanks for sharing this relatable piece!
Thanks for that, Elizabeth. I'm glad it resonated. We've got both the things you mention in common. It's such an incredible effort to stop reaching for the phone. I find myself doing it without even thinking. And revision — I wrote something about the other day, that even though I know it's perhaps the most important part of the process, I find it very difficult. It's like revisiting a piece and feeling, been there, done that. It takes more effort than writing.
It does take more effort for me too! Have you published the piece you wrote about it? If so, I’d love to read it!
Thanks for your interest, Elizabeth, but what I was referring to was just in Notes. But it is something I’m planning to write about.