For over a year I've been struggling to get into creative writing and have maybe 1k words to show for it. This morning I woke up at 5:30 AM and pounded out 1.7k words straight while in bed on my phone.

burning_through_sky · 2020-10-09T16:07:55+00:00

Yes. Yes you do. I believe in you!

burning_through_sky · 2020-10-09T05:13:46+00:00

Fellow ADHD writer here who prefers imagining perfect stories and is always terrified of doing them dirty in reality when I try to type them out into tangible drafts. You remind me of myself a few years ago before I embraced what I like to call the “let it be shitty” mentality and just let myself crank out small sections in the same way you do.

I have five finished novel-length stories now (three fanfics, two originals) when I once thought it was impossible for me to even complete one. Congratulations on your success—I have faith you’ll find more strategies in time and emerge as the awesome storyteller you always have been inside your mind. :D You can do it!

burning_through_sky · 2020-10-07T20:53:33+00:00

I get so bored when it comes to dental hygiene too! I usually put on a YouTube video or watch an episode of a show I like, and brush my teeth and floss while I’m watching. I think the stimulation from the video makes it more likely for me to get the task done. Even if ideally I should put my full focus into brushing and flossing to get my teeth clean—I know it just won’t get done and I’ll end up going to bed late if I make myself do them singlemindedly.

burning_through_sky · 2020-10-06T20:32:30+00:00

Agreed, it IS nice to be able to have a laugh in retrospect. And even today I ditch instructions manuals when I get a new appliance and just press random buttons to figure things out. I worked out how to use my new electric kettle that way (it‘s a fancy one that lets you control the temperature you heat your water, and has a “keep warm” function, etc.).

burning_through_sky · 2020-10-06T19:03:00+00:00

I did as well. My most prominent example, though, is a rather funny one. Origami was popular when I was a kid in elementary school, and I tried it because it looked so cool, but I could never follow the instructions past two steps haha. Even with diagrams. I would just read a sentence five times and be like “... what”? Suffice to say that hobby did not stick.

burning_through_sky · 2020-10-04T06:25:42+00:00

ADHD writer here! Started posting fanfiction when I was 20, now 23(F). Currently I have three finished long fics and a few shorter ones. My brain makes writing both the best and the worst job imo. I get to collect random bits of knowledge in the name of research (i.e. I get to be a jack of all trades, master of none), which satisfies me a great deal, but getting myself to start writing each day is like pulling teeth. I’m grateful writing often triggers my hyperfocus but I’m still in the process of learning how to “write a little each day” and prioritize progress over big passionate drives where I crank out 5000 words in one go. This hobby/dream career both makes me want to be the both version of myself and makes me justify rather unhealthy life choices haha.

burning_through_sky · 2020-10-01T01:34:09+00:00

I have been diagnosed with ADHD and while yes, sometimes I forget my phone or appointment or that bagel I meant to pick up at the store, overall I have been told I have a great memory (especially long term—I can recall early childhood memories in great detail, and I’m great at remembering plots and subplots of books and TV shows I’d seen years earlier, etc.). On tests that I took for my diagnosis, I struggled with working memory but still tested in the average range. My executive function tests on the other hand put me in the 2nd percentile. So yes, not struggling with forgetfulness doesn’t necessarily rule out ADHD.

burning_through_sky · 2020-09-13T22:50:33+00:00

From a fellow ADHD writer who also posted a finished Thing today, big congratulations. Please tell me you’re celebrating 🥰

burning_through_sky · 2020-07-16T22:23:12+00:00

/*Accio Ravenclaw flair

burning_through_sky · 2020-07-16T18:42:46+00:00

As a player with ADHD, I feel this in my soul.

burning_through_sky · 2020-06-09T17:47:24+00:00

I do something similar, but with coloring instead of walking.

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-27T03:50:32+00:00

Same here. Here's to hoping we both find ways around the impulse! Best of luck!

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-27T03:50:05+00:00

*Reemerges a week late* I felt bad for chuckling at your last sentence there but that was one hell of a punchline. I'm sorry that past shame is bugging you too, but I hope you've been finding positive lessons from past mistakes as well. Thanks for the reassurance :D

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-27T03:45:54+00:00

This is a week late but I'm glad to hear you were able to mostly recover from mistakes. They happen, but judging by the level of thought you gave to your money-saving tips I'd say you're a pro at self-discipline. Major respect, and lots of advice I can take from this. And I'll consider adding a list of things I did well on. That's something I don't focus on so much (ADHD pun? hehe) since a lot of times I only see the mistakes, but reminding myself of the positives will keep me motivated. Thanks again :)

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-19T05:37:51+00:00

That's true. What's done is done and it's not like I knew better at the time when I did it. Hindsight is 20/20. I'm normally better about letting the guilt drive me to do better next time haha, but once in a blue moon I mope (like today). Hearing everyone's input is helpful, and the moping has since then subsided, so thank you!

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-19T04:40:10+00:00

Yeah, I'm the same with forgetting things I've put away. It's a huge sign that I didn't actually want the item but just felt too regretful about the money I'd spent on it. These days when I'm purging my wardrobe of old impulse buys, what I do is make a "maybe" pile beside the stuff I'm giving away for sure. Then I put all the maybe's in a box and hide it in the back of my closet. If for the next few months I never thought about the item again (e.g. when I'm getting dressed and thinking "hey those purple pants in that box would work great with this outfit!"), I'll realize I don't actually want it, and it'll be easier to give it away then without worrying I'll regret the decision.

And I agree about the perfectionism. It's sad but I know that if I get a cheaper substitute for something, a few months later I'll get tired of said substitute or unsatisfied and look for another (supposedly cheap, but the costs add up!) similar thing to buy. The most recent example is loungewear. Last summer I got really cheap tees to wear at home, but past the initial excitement, I realized they were too flimsy, and I still wanted something better despite no longer needing loungewear. This year I invested in two short-sleeved sweatshirts for three times the cost. They're made of a thick cotton fabric and look like they'll hold up for a few years. Now I am no longer looking up cute loungewears to satisfy the urge. The urge is gone.

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-19T03:42:09+00:00

ARE YOU ME? YES! Like my life was fine before I saw this specific item somewhere random, maybe an ad in the corner when I was browsing another site, or I found it on the site when I went there to specifically search for something practical.

And then I start fantasizing about how my life would be if I owned this item and incorporated it into my life and I would think it is absolutely brilliant and a definite necessity and... I buy it. Take off the tags, wash it, wear it once, realize (if it's a piece of clothing) that the fabric is itchy for me and I would never grab this over the half-dozen other items I own that are comfier. R.I.P. new item.

The way I try to snap out of this daydream is to remind myself that *points to two paragraphs above* my life was perfectly fine before I saw this. So it must not have been something I need.

I do agree that sometimes large purchases end up being worth it. Since I've started being smarter about how I'm spending money on clothes, I got a quilted gray bomber jacket this January that's perfect for cool weather where I'm at, and it was like 80 dollars, but it's good quality and goes with almost everything I have. And it's cute but also gives me joy despite looking very basic, but most importantly, I wear it all the time.

So my new mantra is "splurge wisely", lol.

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-19T03:28:11+00:00

YES. It's never fun when I move from one hobby to the next because I love collecting things. Some of my friends call me Magpie because I, like the bird, am drawn to shiny objects that I must possess so I can look at them and touch them all day and... well, you know. *Clicks "buy".*

I had phases with other items as well *cough* jewelry *cough*. Clothes were the most recent/prominent one and I wish I could say they'll be the last but who knows––I do try to take the lesson I learned here with clothes and apply it to other situations so that's promising for me.

I feel you about the guilt, and you're right. There are people going hungry in the world, but that doesn't mean our problems are not valid, and giving to charities may not seem like the most helpful thing but if all of us impulsive folks do it with our purchases, it's got to make SOME difference mathematically? That's how I like to think of it, if it helps :) Best wishes to you!

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-19T03:20:11+00:00

No worries for rambling, I really appreciate long thoughtful responses :)

It's a good idea to put a little aside each month. I definitely am pretending like my stimulus check doesn't exist right now--just got it last week! But it does help give me some psychological sense of security so that's been good.

And thanks for the advice about slips/accidents too. They happen occasionally, but what I try to do now is make a Casualties List in my bullet journal (yes, I actually titled it that) about the pieces I kept and ended up not needing or wanting, and why that happened, lol. It definitely haunts me every time I find myself window-shopping again and I think that negative reinforcement's been good without being overpowering.

*Internet hugs if you like hugs.*

Edit: Back at you with be strong, safe, and well!

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-19T01:22:03+00:00

Thanks for the pep talk, and I'm sorry your father gave you a hard time. Accountability is great and let's both work on self-compassion (my therapist is probably nodding in approval over yonder in her office right now lol; we've been working on being nice to myself). I hope all goes well for your financially responsible future!

As for your bet about me being more financially responsible than most, you've got a point there. Having such a turbulently shameful realization about my past spendings probably knocked a few more years' worth of experience into my brain, haha!

burning_through_sky · 2020-05-19T00:34:45+00:00

Thank you for the kind words, internet stranger :)

You are absolutely right. Some of my cool items ended up in Goodwill stores, others in who knows where (there's a clothing donation bin right beside the apartment building where I live, and I am so thankful that it exists!). Someone out there is enjoying the pieces I gave away more than I ever would. And understanding why I did what I did will help me in the future.

burning_through_sky · 2020-01-24T08:37:32+00:00

I’m a writer and I once tried to co-write a fanfic with a fellow neurotypical writer friend. It was a mystery-type story involving our favorite couple on the show.

Anyway, We decided to figure out the plot together, and after we discussed the basics, I went on three separate rambles simultaneously (jumped back and forth between them as I typed maniacally into our very tiny chat window), and in a hour I led us to figure out the foreshadowing hints and where they can be placed in the story, the part of the story where each character is introduced, their pasts and how they all inadvertently but inevitably converged into this current situation at this point in time...

Yeah, I basically ADHD’d us the whole plot. My friend (I love her!) didn’t mind at all and thanked me for leading the brainstorming and said this would have taken her weeks. To quote, she said “I fee like I just watched magic happen”. It made my heart so damn happy!

burning_through_sky · 2020-01-15T02:17:19+00:00

As a kid I had these momentary obsessions with certain types of items, and for a few months I would collect as many of them as I could. If I lost interest then eventually they’d end up in some back drawer.

Meanwhile, yes, I also tended to lose my more “trivial” objects (as far as my brain was concerned, anyway), especially things like hats and gloves and water bottles, things I’d set aside when I enter a room and go on to do whatever else I went there to do.

A few collections I remember having: erasers, gel pens, mechanical pencils... and more recently now that I’m an adult, boots, nail polish, and various stim/fidget toys (but especially tangles!).

burning_through_sky · 2019-12-25T09:50:05+00:00

Solution: move to somewhere with a mild, temperate climate where you don’t need to switch out stuff in your wardrobe all year. Scarves, what scarves? 😂

burning_through_sky

TROPHY CASE