ADHD

Capturing Nature Through Photography

There was supposed to be a meteor shower the other morning, so I Googled and Googled all about how to capture one in photograph. I mean, I researched the heck out of it…and had my camera all setup and ready to go. Even laid out my clothes and shoes, so I could just hop up and get to shooting.

Unfortunately, the meteor shower proved to be uneventful, at least in my neck of the woods. However, all the researching and preparing got me itching to take some photos. Then my dad asked me to take some random photos of our house…not very interesting ones, but it still forced me to bring my camera outside.

I took the photos for my dad and started to walk back up towards the house. Then I started looking around and I realized there were a lot of cool, nature things happening right in my back yard. So, I started shooting. I was playing around with the manual settings more than I have in a long time.

Life has gotten in the way and I haven’t had much time to devote to my photography, but it’s definitely another one of those things that helps calm my ADHD / OCD mind. Zeroing in on the perfect shot brings a kind of focus that my ADHD mind rarely gets to feel. And my OCD nature pushes me to have the patience to get that perfect shot…or at least to keep trying.

Nature photography kind of makes sense for me. It’s the combination of two of my favorite things and I can get lost doing it for hours. Needless to say, I took over 200 photos during my mini-shoot. Part of what’s so awesome about photography is that you get the chance to share your perspective on a moment or, in this case, a scene in nature. When an experience touches your soul in a good way, photography gives you the opportunity to pass it on and touch somebody else’s soul.

Don’t worry, I only pulled five photos from the 200+, so you’re not going to be forced to see the natural world through my eyes for the rest of your night. But, I did want to share a few…just in case you needed something to brighten your evening (meaning the nature itself, not necessarily my creative interpretation via photo).

They’re not perfect, but taking them did make me want to take more. Here’s hopin’ (for my sake) that this was the push I needed to get back into photography. I used to shoot weddings…I used to sell my photos in (small) galleries and in local shops…I used to just take more photos. It’s been years since I really allowed myself to get lost behind the lens. It definitely reminded me how important it is for me to do creative things on a regular basis, though.

That said, my knowledge of flowers is fairly limited, so the file names are pretty boring…and I must have used up all of my creativity, so there are no titles…but you get the idea.

Thanks for taking a peek, guys! Hope you liked ’em!

When My ADHD Messes With My OCD Hand Sanitizer

Germaphobia is real and it’s no surprise us OCDers are prone to it.

This is what happens when my ADHD steps on my OCD’s toes and I lose…or run out of…all of my hand sanitizer at one time. I’m a serious germaphobe, guys.

You can never have enough hand sanitizer.

Now, I’ve started out this batch by strategically placing a few bottles in all the places I frequent (car, bookbag, desk drawer, etc.), but I will likely end up empty handed all at the same time. Not sure how it happens like that. Just does. Maybe it means I’m using them in a balanced way, but I don’t think so. Cause, the thing is, eventually I clean out some cluttered spot in my life and recover several partially-used bottles. That always kinda feels like I’ve found my pot of gold, though, so I’m not really complaining.

Side note: It really pisses me off when all the little hand sanitizer dispensers are out at the mall. They never work and it’s like, why even tease us? Ah well, that’s why it’s important I bring my own (52 million bottles) with me.

…gotta be responsible for my own crazy. 🙂

The World Through Smudged and Cracked Rose-Colored (ADHD) Glasses

It may seem odd that I’m posting a sunrise photo at night. Although, if I hadn’t called myself out, you probably would have figured it for a sunset photo instead. The fact that it’s a sunrise in the photo is kind of the point (even if it weren’t, I’m ridiculously honest, so I probably still would have told you).

See, guys, we all have bad days. Some are worse than others and sometimes we can’t even pinpoint why.

I’m a little lost at the moment and I’m trying to hold myself accountable by proclaiming my optimism through this photo. While ADHDers are known for missing some of the in-your-face details, we often get to see things that others simply gloss over…especially in nature.

Nature is synonymous with salvation (or at least serenity) for a lot of people with ADHD. It’s that way for me at least. Nature can bring you joy, even on your worst day. It can also open your eyes to a wisdom you had forgotten…or had never been privy to before. I think that’s part of why recreational therapy is so successful for ADHDers.

Every day is a new day, my friends. That’s a lesson nature has taught me countless times. It is my hope that this simple sunrise photo will help you see both the wisdom and beauty in that truth.

No bad day can last forever, even if it sometimes seems that way. We are given a fresh start with each rising sun and thus, a chance to embrace a new perspective.

The answers don’t always come when we want them to. Maybe that’s nature’s way of letting us know we’re not really in control. Regardless, answers come when they’re supposed to and only if they’re supposed to. There are certain questions we’ll never know the answers to, but hopefully we can learn to let go and let life lead the way.

You’re never as lost as you feel. And every morning you’re given the chance to find your way.

We must all be open to trying again. We must all be open to seeing beauty where others may not even look. We must all be open to hope….

Today’s Impulsive ADHD Purchase

A few of us were craving McFlurries after lunch today, so we field tripped it up to McDonald’s. We approached the drive-thru window with great anticipation, but were met with much disappointment instead. The McFlurry machine was broken…and so we cried. Okay, not really, but it was a pretty heartbreaking moment.

Determined to reward ourselves with a scrumptious treat, we headed to the grocery store for some ice cream of sorts. And all the sorts they had! A vast selection indeed! Overwhelmed by the delicious possibilities, we settled on an old favorite – ice cream sandwiches.

There were six in a box…so I had to buy two boxes. If you know me at all (which some of you do), you know I can’t show up somewhere with special treats…if I don’t have enough for everybody. It was engrained in me a long time ago, “If you don’t have enough for the class, don’t bring it.” Besides, I like to cheer people up and ice cream has a tendency to do that.

We head up to the register and I see this magazine with Albert Einstein (who had already come up in conversation earlier today). So, I say, “I need that! He has ADHD!” To which, I correct myself, “Had,” and I toss the magazine on the checkout belt thing.

While they ring it up, I happen to look down at the price total.

$16.99 for today’s impulsive ADHD purchase. That’s what I get for acting without thinking…oh well. Maybe I’ll actually read this magazine instead of just hoarding it protectively for the rest of my life.

Chances are slim, though.

When Squirrels Attack: A Brutal Retaliation Against the Easily Distracted and Self(ie)-Obsessed

The Squirrel and ADHD – A Recipe for Laughter

As the punchline in many ADHD jokes, the squirrel is well known for it’s distractability factor. Part of that is because squirrels are everywhere. And part of it is because…well, you really just can’t help but look when you see one (at least as an ADHDer); they’re intriguing, little performers. Having posted about the ADHD squirrel phenomenon pretty recently, I wouldn’t usually bring it back up (at least not so soon).

But This Selfie Story Changes Everything

This story on Buzzfeed couldn’t be ignored. Brian Genest got distracted by the squirrel above while he was hiking…and decided he wanted to take a squirrel-featured selfie.

…which he succeeded in.

…but shortly thereafter, things took a turn for the worst.

In a seemingly spontaneous assault, the squirrel pounced on Brian and proceeded to attack. Luckily, the word on the street (aka per the aforementioned credible sources) is that Brian and the squirrel both made it out of this horrific (somewhat hysterical – let’s be honest) attack alive (and uninjured).

Why Would a Squirrel Turn Like That?

My theory is that squirrels everywhere are tired of being blamed for our distractability (and, by default, our ADHD)…so they’re ready to fight back when they see it going down. It’s about to get real. This guy…this squirrel…is the leader of the revolution and this was his first (documented/viral) battle.

ADHDers Heed This Warning

So, I leave you with this…be wary of the squirrel that snags your attention. Resist the urge to be distracted by the fun, furry, little creature. As we’ve learned in this story, not all distractions are worth giving in to. Sometimes they end in blood and tears (read: comical experiences that result in viral celebrity status and no significant injuries to write home about).

Side Note

I’m not really saying that Brian Genest is a fellow ADHDer…or that he was actually distracted by anything as a result of his encounter with the squirrel. This post (and the story itself) is really just an opportunity to poke fun at the distractability (and countless jokes) that squirrels have provided to the ADHD community…well, probably since the beginning of time.