Having ADHD often means I have to navigate a sea of distractions and racing thoughts. However, in the midst of this chaos, I have a super secret superpower called hyperfocus. I have this an intense ability to concentrate on something the I am really interested in or focused on.
To my demise at times, I often get lost in a projects, hobbies, and conversations to the point where everything else fades into the boring bucket in my mind. This is the essence of hyperfocus. While in this state, I often display remarkable attention to detail, creative problem-solving skills, and unparalleled productivity. Some of my most successful career accomplishment have been because I can hyperfocus on projects. I can grind further and longer on tasks most people would give up on. I enjoy the challenge of someone saying something can’t be done, then boom hyperfocus sets it.
On the surface, hyperfocus may appear to be an amazing thing to have, allowing individuals to accomplish incredible feats when fully immersed in a task. However, the downside becomes apparent when hyperfocus kicks in at unexpected times, hijacking my attention from essential responsibilities and daily obligations. I can’t count the times when I hyperfocus on a personal hobby or project and I completely lose track of time and neglect critical tasks like paying bills or attending to work duties.
Moreover, my ability to hyperfocus has lead me to physical and mental exhaustion more times than I would like to admit. I have neglected self-care, like not eating or resting after a long day of work. Recognizing that I do this, I have to be intentional at setting specific time limits for tasks, using alarms, writing myself lists and having people check up on me. One thing I try to remember, to always give myself grace. Even Superhero’s have to take a timeout from their superpowers and rest.
Cheers ADHD Warriors - Juliana
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