“Unlocking the Muse: The Surprising Struggles ADHD Writers Face in Their Creative Journey”
Writing is often viewed as an exhilarating adventure, but for many, especially those of us navigating the complexities of ADHD, it can feel more like a relentless obstacle course! I mean, have you ever found yourself staring blankly at the screen, wrestling with the desire to write but getting sidetracked by every little distraction? Yeah, me too! It’s like my brain’s in a constant battle between tantalizing thoughts and the siren call of procrastination. Yet, when I do manage to dive into the depths of creativity, it’s like unleashing a floodgate of possibilities.
Writing not only brings out my best self but also serves as a reflection of my unique journey. In this article, I’ll share the five persistent hurdles I face as an ADHD writer along with strategies that help me leap over them. Because trust me, if I can find a way to harness that creative energy amidst the chaos, so can you! If you’re ready to tackle your writing challenges head-on, let’s explore these insights together. LEARN MORE
And how to tackle them
One of my greatest joys in life is writing, which also makes it one of my biggest hurdles to jump. My spicy neurological state, (that’s a fun way to say ADHD), means I always want to find whatever I can to distract me from the thing I want to do. Which is writing.
But when I do get into it, when I really write and let the creativity flow, it feels incredible. I suddenly feel I can tackle anything; an insane day, endless meetings, monotone lectures about taxes. Bring it on!
In many ways, writing makes me my best self. Yet, it remains a struggle.
To help me get over the I-want-write-but-can’t-start hump, I had to find strategies that got me started, helped me build up a habit, and kept me focused. I still slip once in a while, but now I have consequences built into my process to help me get back into my daily routine.
And yes, it has to be daily. We’ll touch on that later.
Here are five challenges I continue to face as an ADHD writer and how I tackle them.
1. Hyperfocus
At first, I loved hyperfocus. This is the flipside to ADHD, the urge to stay in a state of focus and never give the clock on my laptop so much as a glance.
It sounds great, right? Ten straight hours of writing is so fulfilling! What downside could there possibly be?
Plenty. First, this unique state of mind can keep me spellbound in my chair and staring at a screen. That means I don’t take any breaks, leaving my back and butt in a serious state of pain. I’m more likely to skip meals, forget to drink water, and completely let go of my other responsibilities like walking my adorable dogs.
Yes, it’s nice to have a spate of writing that feels endless, but the price is too high. I have to reign it in and use it to my advantage as opposed to coming out exhausted, dehydrated, and with two dog stares boring into me, begging me for a chance to go out and poop.
Here’s how I manage it:
Timers, I’ve discovered, are great friends to ADHD. I have them on my phone, my computer, and my smartwatch. I use them to set up a controlled hyperfocus session…
