Unusual sight: Self-empowerment in men is often met with resistance. This resistance stems from the perception that men are already dominant and favored, and there’s a prevailing expectation for them to always appear strong. I find that such views have some weaknesses, especially in terms of compassion, communication and, above all, health. My open approach to discussing emotions and vulnerabilities is a testament to strength and compassion.

Approximately 7 to 10 percent of people have ADHD, with men being disproportionately affected. I see no danger in expressing my authenticity and openness. You cannot accuse me of anything I don’t already acknowledge about myself. In fact, those who cling to outdated gender roles are often breeding their own tormentors. In a society where individuals are afraid to be themselves, manipulation and deception become the only means of survival.

Having experienced the consequences of such behavior in my own life, I have developed a strong aversion to it. By being open about my emotions and struggles, I create an environment where others can feel comfortable doing the same. This openness helps to create healthier relationships, greater self-awareness, and genuine connections.

It’s time to reject these outdated norms and create an inclusive society where all people can live authentically without fear of judgment or rejection. My journey represents a step toward this change and serves as a call to others to embrace their true selves.

Showing myself as I do in the picture is symbolic of my courage, because everyone in my neighborhood and the whole world can see me like this. Do I care if I fulfill your expectations or if I am criticized? Not really. I follow the community guidelines and do what I want.

🐒 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.

🏰🦁 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!

🌍🔥 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.

It has helped me to share my experiences and thoughts on various aspects of life that not only burden me but also strengthen me. A central difficulty is my tendency towards egocentric thinking.

This developed out of a system of oppression. In order to safeguard my interests within my family while constantly being manipulated and used, I developed coping mechanisms as a child.

I never had to do much to receive attention because my relatives wanted to maintain their influence over me. As a result, I never really felt the need to develop strong narcissistic behavior patterns within relationships.

Instead, I developed more egoistic behavior patterns because every stage of my life was marked by structural instability, and other people tried to influence my perspective, often for their own benefit.

I am not trapped in this egocentrism, but I am working on identifying the harmful aspects and their triggers. Like everyone, I have certain dynamics in my personality, consisting of adaptive (useful) and maladaptive (harmful) behavior patterns. These are closely linked to emotions and emotion regulation. I am very empathetic, but this is sometimes influenced more or less by my egoistic tendencies. My ADHD sometimes challenges my emotional regulation.

Since I have reported "publicly" on my experiences, it feels like I have regained a piece of self-determination, because now it has been said, and there’s nothing more I can do. I could still reach out to National Geographic, but I believe this is enough.

It has liberated me and allowed space for independent thinking that is not constantly under a defensive posture. Being able to take a free and self-determined (less self-centered) look at my own responsibilities has led me to the insight of what I can work on to improve my situation in the long term.

I have realized that my ability to consider other people's points of view can be improved and that I have a better chance of long-term emotional stability if I learn to forgive even the deepest pain, to let it go and stop giving it power.

Just walking around 🦋🌾☀️

🧩 Although we humans tend to divide the world into clear categories and fixed boundaries, our true strength lies in our diversity. Our species, rich in different traits and personalities, embodies the principle that makes life in all its forms successful: diversity. Each of us is unique, whether through our appearance, preferences, or emotions. We choose different words, react differently to joy or sorrow, and our relationships are as individual as we are.

☄️ Moreover, we are adaptable – what we like today may seem strange to us tomorrow. This continuous change reminds us that our attempts to organize the world into categories must always be open to expansion and adaptation. Instead of rigid boundaries, we need flexible frameworks that allow space for the unexpected.

🦖 However, understanding and appreciating diversity doesn’t mean we must accept everything indiscriminately. It's equally important to set clear boundaries and make decisions that align with our values and well-being. In dealing with others, we might approach each person with empathy and an open mind, but also with the wisdom to know when to stand firm and when to be flexible. True connection and growth come from balancing acceptance of others with respect for our own needs and principles.

I hope I'm not giving you too much to digest with my posts. My creative activities have always gone through different phases. That's because I need variety, and this year I've put a stronger focus on philosophy and knowledge, whereas in previous years it's been much more emotional and I've been more free in my means of expression. That's also reflected in my private life. This year I somehow haven't had any real interest in romance. I haven't traveled at all. In fact, this year I've only given my phone number to one nice woman. Yes, dear Tatiana, you really are the only one who managed to do that this year. 😅

But even this episode, which may seem boring, will pass. There are simply times when you prefer to grow through other things, but that doesn't mean that my spirit has evaporated. In fact, I've shed a lot of baggage as a result of my intensive engagement, even if it has affected my good mood at times.

The term "mental illness" is outdated and is no longer used in modern medicine and psychology. When laypeople use this term, they usually refer to severe mental disorders that involve significant impairments in thinking, perception, or behavior. Examples of this would include schizophrenia, severe bipolar disorders, or severe depression*.

*Without me saying that this term is actually true in these cases, as it depends on the context (see below).

However, ADHD does not fall under this term. As mentioned in previous posts, it is considered a neurological developmental disorder or a mental disorder, but not a "mental illness" in the classic, outdated sense.

I do not want to put myself above those affected by severe mental disorders, but a distinction is important. It’s crucial that this distinction does not contribute to further stigmatization or hierarchies among different conditions. Each condition, whether severe or not, can have a significant impact on an individual’s life and deserves recognition and respect.

However, my experience has shown that this outdated terminology is often used in private contexts to gaslight and discredit. Because this distinction has not been widely understood in people's minds, it has the potential to cause significant damage.

For example, to exercise power and control in a toxic context. Instead of dealing with the criticized behavior, perception and well-being are addressed. Often with the final sentence: "You are ill!"

Modern terminology is more precise and avoids the stigmatizing connotations associated with terms like "mental illness". Instead, professionals refer to mental disorders or conditions, with specific categories varying depending on the diagnosis.

The term "disorder" is value-free and simply describes that it is a deviation.

There’s another misunderstanding that I want to address: the assumption that a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) automatically means a person has a heightened desire for attention. In reality, the term "attention deficit" refers to the difficulty in being attentive and focusing, and in some cases, it’s about balancing between hyperactivity and hypoactivity - meaning swings between high energy and low energy.

This misunderstanding is often reinforced by the fact that people with ADHD naturally draw more attention because of their deviation from the norm - what is often labeled as a "disorder." Unconventional thoughts and behaviors naturally stand out more than what is considered "normal". It’s perfectly natural for people to try to make sense of these differences. How they interpret these situations, however, is crucial. Often, people project their own experiences and expectations onto what they observe.

Yes, I do attract attention on Instagram, and I do so intentionally. I use my uniqueness to actually draw attention because I’ve realized it can help me gain reach for this project. However, reducing my activities to simply seeking attention is condescending and says more about others' perceptions than about my intentions.

In reality, I invest a lot of work into this project. It’s clear that the focus is on biocultural diversity. My approach is fundamentally different from the typical self-promotion you see with vacation photos and personal experiences. My goal is to highlight the importance of biocultural diversity, not to put myself in the spotlight.

An important aspect of this is recognizing that neurodiversity is also a vital part of natural biodiversity. Just as the diversity of species in an ecosystem strengthens and enriches it, so too does the diversity of minds within our society. My creativity, combined with my personality and the valuable experiences I share, serves as a vehicle for this broader message: the significance of our natural world, its smallest inhabitants, and the diverse ways we all contribute to it.