What to do about such varied interests?
So I'm 21, and recently diagnosed and on meds for ADHD, but I've obviously been struggling with the symptoms my whole life. My big issue is my constantly changing interests. There are a few strands that run deep, such as love of performing, both musically and theatrically, and a love of writing, but I can never pick anything to settle on long term.
Does anyone have advice for how to be more steady or more consistent with regards to interests?
9 years ago by moottranslation
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I like to think this makes us the knowledgable folks that lots of people like! We accumulate lots of random pieces of info and I guess this also makes us good at trivia!
But it would be nice to finally start a project and actually get to the end of it..
I completely agree. Yeah, the random information is great, and has served to make all my friends think that I'm brilliant, (which is categorically untrue), but I can't for the life of me, finish something. I'm tired of feeling like a failure all the time. My parents' think that I'm the least likely to accomplish something; they're always telling me to just stick with something.
It's so hard to do. I don't even know what options I have, you know?
Wait until this is transposed to the workplace. People think you are awesome, you try to do your best. You try to make new things to help you and your colleagues do the job better/faster and you never actually achieve anything. You'll see people take your own ideas and actually do something. They will get most of the credit, and with reason. Pressure is high.
I fortunately didn't have my mother's weight to carry. She knew that I loved a little bit of everything and that it was simply myself, my personality, to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
"Everywhere and nowhere at the same time", sounds good :)
I've been out of work since the end of March... But I've only ever worked in one "office" sort of job. The rest were fairly entry-level, customer facing types of jobs. I was supposed to start a new job today, again, entry-level, at a theatre, and I freaked out yesterday, and had a panic attack, and I realized that I couldn't go, but then I thought I could, and then I ended up waking up after my shift started, and then I just said fuck it, and then I realized that now I don't have a job. I don't even want to work there, I just don't know how turn this "everywhere and nowhere" business into something that pays me.
My parents have always been the hardest part, so I'm just not gonna talk to them about this. For goodness sake, I'm 21. I should have my life together, already.
I wish I had tricks or even guidelines to give you, but unfortunately, I'm not an expert and I also have yet to consult a doctor and get (the right) medication.
I guess we could try this neat gamified task manager, together!
That looks awesome! I would love to try it out. As for doctors, I saw an APRN based on a recommendation from a psychologist. She's less expensive, since I'm paying out of pocket. And my meds aren't too expensive, but I'm also paying out of pocket, since I can't use my parents' insurance. They'd kill me if they knew I was medicating the crazy in me.
Honestly, I've had this problem forever as well. I'll be SUPER passionate about something for a month, maybe two at most, and then discover something else. I've found that it's kinda cyclical, I'll come back to things I like and it'll go through it again. I don't know how to fix it, though. Are you seeing a social worker or therapist along with a psychiatrist? I'd recommend bringing it up to them and getting advice. I'm totes bringing this up at my next appointment, I just figured it was part of 'me'
Yeah! It's definitely cyclical. I'm only seeing an APRN, for my meds, because I'm super broke. It's very frustrating, to say the least. I'll prolly mention it at my next appointment, though, and see if she has any suggestions. I really want to focus my attention/energy on one passion, so that I can actually achieve something in life.