🦬🦥 Why do I shave a yak? Because you humans bore me to death! – Just kidding! 🙃

🙋 The real reason behind the endless distractions isn’t boredom—it’s ADHD. Yak shaving, the term for getting caught up in small tasks before addressing the main goal, is something many with ADHD know well. It’s not a quirky habit, but how the ADHD brain works.

🕰 For someone with ADHD, even a simple task can spiral. You start cleaning your desk, notice a broken drawer, and decide to fix it. To do that, you need a screwdriver, but the toolbox is a mess, so you begin reorganizing it. Hours pass, and the desk is still cluttered. This is yak shaving: getting sidetracked by seemingly urgent tasks that pull you further from the original goal.

🧠 This happens because the ADHD brain craves novelty and stimulation, making it hard to prioritize long-term goals. While some romanticize yak shaving as a creative process, it’s mostly just a distraction. It’s not a superpower, nor a failure—just a reality of ADHD.

📆 Managing yak shaving isn’t about avoiding distractions, but staying focused on what matters. Writing down your goal, using a timer, and keeping visual reminders can help anchor your focus. When you drift, don’t beat yourself up—just redirect your attention.

🛤 Yak shaving isn’t a whimsical adventure or failure; it’s part of ADHD. With humor and practical strategies, you can navigate distractions and make progress. The goal isn’t to stop yak shaving, but to approach it with patience, so it doesn’t derail you. After all, whether or not the yak gets shaved, the key is to keep moving forward.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Sloths are known for their extreme slowness and calmness, while ADHD is associated with hyperactivity, restlessness and impulsivity. The idea that an animal notorious for its laid-back lifestyle is suddenly agitated or overactive creates a comical discrepancy. I enjoy living out opposites and being unique. You could say I'm possibly the fastest sloth in town. In fact, I have the ADHD mixed type.

ADHD can be broken down as follows:

🦦 1. Predominantly Inattentive Type:

Often still referred to as ADD (though this is an outdated term).

Symptoms include difficulty sustaining attention, forgetfulness, and being easily distracted, often without hyperactive or impulsive behavior.

🐒 2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type:

Marked by excessive energy, restlessness, impulsivity, and difficulty sitting still or staying quiet.

🦥 3. Combined Type (Mixed ADHD):

This includes significant symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

🎨 ADHD Combined Type means a person can experience both patterns simultaneously or in cycles. For instance:

👾 One moment, you might feel a burst of energy that makes you restless and impulsive. The next, you could find yourself daydreaming or struggling to follow through on tasks due to lack of focus.

👾 You may start a task with high energy but then lose track of details or find it hard to finish because your attention shifts elsewhere.

⭐️ Hyperactivity might mean you're full of energy and enthusiasm, helping you tackle challenges with gusto (even if it's sometimes hard to sit still).

⭐️ Inattention might look like zoning out, but it can also mean you're incredibly creative, with a mind that makes unexpected and original connections.

⭐️ Impulsivity might cause struggles with planning, but it can also make you adventurous and spontaneous, willing to dive into new experiences.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

⛰️🏞 A stream in the distant lands of South America begins deep within a dense forest, hidden beneath the canopy where the air is thick with moisture and secrets. It is a quiet revelation, an inexhaustible whisper emerging from the earth as if the world itself seeks to tell its innermost story. So too, does the human mind.

The stream is not a mighty river, not the Amazon carrying cities or feeding oceans. It is a modest origin, a winding thought between roots, rocks, and moss. Yet therein lies its strength: it understands what remains hidden. Its water, clear and cool, reminds us that the inconspicuous often harbors the most essential things.

The stream mirrors the mind of someone with ADHD. Its flow is unpredictable, leaping from one point to another, changing pace and direction, as if it searches for a path with no clear destination. But like the stream, this mind has a deeper purpose, an inner harmony that reveals itself only to those who look closely.

The dense forest symbolizes the societal prejudices, the misunderstandings surrounding it. It is thick, a labyrinth of opinions and stereotypes, threatening to swallow the stream whole. Yet the denser the forest, the clearer the truth becomes: the stream cannot be stopped. It carves its path because water must flow—it is its nature to move.

Elementally, the stream is a metaphor for the relentless force of life. Water, finding its way through obstacles, is the symbol of the mind that unfolds despite pressure and constraint. It may seem wild, impulsive, and chaotic, but it carries within it a purity and depth that can only be revealed through movement.

And when the stream leaves the forest, uniting with other waters and finally emerging into the light, it is no longer the small, chaotic trickle it once was. It becomes part of something larger, a river that gives life and connects worlds.

Just as the human spirit with its uniqueness: every impulse, every curve, every sudden turn drives it forward—toward a greater understanding, a deeper current that unites it with the world.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🐒 I have now given you some insights into my challenges, strengths, and abilities. ADHD is a spectrum and part of natural diversity. There are people for whom ADHD is a burden, and others who see more advantages than disadvantages in it. It is a misunderstanding to believe that these differences are solely due to the will of the affected individuals. In fact, the expression of the disorder varies, and factors such as medication tolerance, comorbidities, upbringing, worldview, access to free or affordable therapy options, life circumstances, life experiences, stigmatization, and personality traits also play a role.

🦤 In this false assumption, both fundamental attribution errors and the survivorship bias are involved.

🌱 In the past 18 years, I have worked a lot on myself and, as you may have seen in my posts, have struggled with some difficulties.

🏝 I am a calm and peaceful person, which makes it hard for many to understand my experiences. In fact, I have focused on advancing my therapy. I have not attacked anyone; I simply did not meet some of the expectations they placed on me. As a result, I had to leave my family, as we did not harmonize. Therefore, I forgive those who attacked me, as they may not have had the same circumstances as I did. They may have genuinely wanted to help me, even if I find that difficult to understand on both a rational and emotional level.

🏞 It has affected me when I was repeatedly told how 'pitiful' I was while trying to find my own way. I couldn't even breathe as I wanted without being criticized for it. I forgive myself for the anger and bitterness I felt, as they were understandable reactions. However, I recognize their harmfulness and negative impact, not only on myself. That is why I continuously work on improving my self-management. I am not seeking reconciliation but a clear boundary against disrespectful behavior. There is no place for disrespect in my life, as it is incompatible with my self-concept.

🏔 I strive for a life that is in harmony with my values, characterized by respect, understanding, and peace.

🕊 I love myself.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🏰🦁 My girlfriend at the time and I visited a chapel in Sayn Castle last year. We looked around the room, and after about a minute, I made one of my typical and initially hard-to-understand comments: 'This lion is different from all the others!' All the walls were decorated with numerous lion figures that looked almost identical—except one was sticking out its tongue. This is intentional because perfection is reserved for God alone. But why did I notice this tiny detail so quickly? Am I Rain Man or Indiana Jones?

🤠 No! It’s because of my ADHD!

🧠 1. Dopamine and Reward Sensitivity

In ADHD, the underactive dopamine system reduces sensitivity to rewards, making the brain more focused on novel stimuli, which feel more rewarding.

🧠 2. Increased Sensitivity to Stimuli

People with ADHD are more sensitive to new sensory input, making them quick to notice small changes as their brain constantly seeks new information.

🧠 3. Attention Shifting

Frequent shifts in attention help people with ADHD spot changes faster, as their brain is always scanning for new stimuli.

🧠 4. Hyperfocus

During periods of intense concentration, people with ADHD can excel at noticing small details and differences.

🧠 5. Prefrontal Cortex and Detail Recognition

Though the prefrontal cortex functions less efficiently in ADHD, heightened sensitivity to new information aids in quickly detecting deviations.

✨️ I am constantly looking for new information, changes, stimuli, so to speak, and that is why I notice such things very quickly. It’s a perfect example of how ADHD can sometimes be a superpower in noticing details that would escape most people’s attention!

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🌍🔥 Pursuing altruistic and compassionate motives while exhibiting selfish behaviors often seem contradictory, without necessarily being so. Nevertheless, this inner conflict can lead to frustration when actions contradict ideals.

To resolve this, some people may become blind to their behaviors, developing a flexible self-perception. While this flexibility can be beneficial, it can also increase vulnerability regarding self-assessment. For people with ADHD, even slight selfish tendencies can be amplified in challenging contexts, leading to potentially harmful or beneficial outcomes.

The underlying nature does not only have disadvantages. If managed correctly, it enables high performance. But now it is precisely about possible negative influences that I would like to ignore but will now pay more attention to.

Behaviors that seem selfish often stem from neurobiological factors, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine disruptions, affecting impulse control, reward processing, emotional regulation, and social cognition.

A deficiency in dopamine can lead to a preference for immediate gratification, making people with ADHD appear self-centered as they prioritize short-term needs over long-term consequences.

Low norepinephrine levels can impair attention to social cues, hindering understanding of others' emotions and the effects of one’s actions, which may lead to behaviors perceived as inconsiderate.

Difficulties in emotional control can heighten reactions, overshadowing empathy and consideration for others’ feelings.

ADHD can amplify egocentric tendencies, where impulsivity and a focus on immediate needs inhibit understanding others' perspectives. Repeated misunderstandings can lead to frustration, prompting people to prioritize self-protection.

Behaviors associated with ADHD, often viewed as egoistic, are rooted in neurobiological challenges affecting self-regulation. These tendencies reflect unconscious responses to internal struggles rather than intentional selfishness.

🌻 But as with many things, it depends on how consciously you deal with it and whether you do something to manage it better.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

As you can see, I’ve successfully completed 2nd grade! ✨😊

I’m sharing my primary school report from 1994 because ADHD, which has been with me since childhood, wasn’t diagnosed until I was 20. The quieter, mixed type often goes unnoticed. Even back then, my dreamy nature was clear, as I sometimes drifted away in class, lost in my thoughts. However, when a subject sparked my curiosity - like natural sciences - it was easier for me to engage. These topics appealed more directly to my ADHD-affected reward system, allowing me to focus and work more effectively. Distractions still impact me, especially with motor skills, but I’ve learned ways to adapt. ADHD often leads to deep, lifelong interests - and, yes, sometimes we forget our homework.😅

"Frederic has successfully completed the 2nd grade. He has a good grasp of basic multiplication. Addition and subtraction within 100 are more challenging for him. With word problems, he usually only recognizes the necessary calculation operation with external help.

In German, he reads simple words and texts but still struggles with unfamiliar and longer words. He sometimes does not understand the content of more difficult texts. When copying, he usually makes only a few mistakes, whereas he has more problems with practiced dictations. His writing is still somewhat uneven, and he sometimes has difficulty keeping within the lines. Frederic has attended a German support course. In general studies, he is particularly interested in natural science topics and works well here.

He could be more proactive in physical education, as his performance is good. In music, he sometimes participates in elements of the lessons (singing, rhythm, movement games to music, listening to music). He paints and draws very well but is still quite clumsy with manual tasks.

Frederic is very dreamy and usually works only minimally. He often does not understand work instructions and cannot yet work independently. He completes written tasks carefully and with concentration but needs a lot of time to do so. Sometimes he forgets to do his homework."

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

🌿 Sensory overload can affect anyone when they are overwhelmed by many types of stimuli, like sounds, visual details, or tactile sensations. For me, as someone with ADHD, this sensitivity is particularly strong. My ability to filter out distractions and focus on what’s important is often limited, which makes the effects of sensory overload even worse.

I often find myself in situations that seem completely normal to others but are overwhelming for me. The habits and expectations of those around me frequently clash with my own challenges and needs. Additionally, there are often biases, a lack of empathy, and a reluctance to understand my perspective and reality.

It would make a big difference if there was more willingness to recognize and understand my viewpoint.

Some might claim that it doesn’t matter what others think, but they overlook the fact that these attitudes directly impact my quality of life and the opportunities available to me. I do my best to make the most of what life offers to meet my needs. I accept that certain areas may be closed off to me because I have to, not because I believe it is right or good. Some things are like the weather because you can't really control them and you have to learn to dance in the rain.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

In my last post, I talked about the reactions I’ve had because of my ADHD. Even today, almost twenty years after I first found out I have ADHD, I still face similar issues. My own family used to treat me like I was mentally ill. My half-brother and my cousin, who I almost never had contact with, deliberately reached out to people I knew to tell them about 'my illness' and supposed drug use. I was pushed away, both socially and by my own relatives. That was about ten years ago. It wasn’t that they directly said, 'We don’t want you anymore!,' but they treated me with so little respect and decency that I felt I had to distance myself to protect my self-worth. That was the smartest decision of my life, and I encourage anyone in a similar toxic situation to consider doing the same. I find my happiness and contentment within myself, in nature, and with all the kind people who give me hope.

Not only was that extremely hurtful, but it also caused lasting damage to my reputation, because it obviously carries weight when people who are supposedly close to me make such claims. Even today, I can still counter such allegations. That's why it's important to be careful with such claims.

ADHD often comes with a lot of positive traits, like thinking in unconventional and flexible ways, and yes, I can even use my impulsiveness in a good way. While I might not be able to go to bars or other crowded places with too much sensory input, you can have a wonderful time with me in nature or enjoy some creative fun. I might not be able to do every job, but what I can do, I do really well. My self-worth has never depended on what others think of me, and that’s exactly why I’ve often clashed with people. Even in school, people tried to make me believe I had low self-esteem because I didn’t follow the crowd. But by not doing so, I actually showed the opposite of what they tried to project onto me. Life is too beautiful to waste it on feeling ashamed for others. If you meet me in the tall grass, get ready to be tackled! 🌾👀🌿

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Why would I change what I enjoy so much. Life is like a toilet bowl, sometimes you have to scrub. Still, it's good to have one. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 20. That brings impulsiveness and sensory overload, but also a lot of creativity and fun. It hasn't made my life better or worse, it's made it as unique as any other. Look what an attractive moon I am!🌝

📆📸 06/08/16/18/06/07

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.