Just walking around 🦋🌾☀️

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🧩 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.

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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.

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The term "mental illness" is outdated and is no longer used in modern medicine and psychology.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.

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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.

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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! 🌾👀🌿

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Hi there! 🙃 Today I want to tell you something about what the society around me means in relation to my ADHD. First of all, reactions to my condition can be categorized into three basic types:

1) Understanding individuals

2) People who deny the existence of ADHD or attribute it to everyone (it doesn't exist, everyone has it)

3) People who either cannot or will not realize the difference between ADHD and mental illness

It must first be clarified:
ADHD exists, and no, not everyone has it. There are many different manifestations, so those affected should be taken seriously when they talk about the difficulties they face, as well as their abilities.

ADHD is not a mental illness. A person with ADHD does not have a defective cog in their gear, as some (sometimes intentionally) misunderstand. ADHD is a neurological developmental disorder that is quite complex but has nothing at all to do with mental illnesses.

I am glad that there are some people who belong to the first group. As a social being, I, like everyone else, rely on understanding and acceptance. 🥰

However, the other two groups represent a burden:

When people deny the existence of such a disorder, everything falls into the category of character/personality. Symptoms that are difficult or impossible to control are used to paint a negative picture of the personality. The affected person receives no support and cannot change it themselves or not sufficiently. This often leads to depression or even suicide due to isolation and failure.

By equating ADHD with a mental illness, the affected person is practically denied everything. One no longer needs to take seriously what the affected person does or says. The affected person tries their best to address issues but is only laughed at, and behind their back, it's said that they are ill and - at best - to avoid hurting their feelings, people pretend to take them seriously. This essentially has the same consequences as the previous point about denying the existence of ADHD, but adds a more insidious layer.

🤍🖖

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Saying goodbye to my friends for my summer break! It's the perfect time. It's far too hot to do anything.

🌞🌞🌞🌞

Walks in the woods sound like a good idea to me.

Instagram's algorithms will let you all see this:
An excerpt from Intuition 🌿 (2023), color-enhanced.

😇

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That's how wrinkles form. And I think it's beautiful. ✨️ The special effect of my smile is that it is always a little crooked.😁 My upper teeth are super straight and close together, but my upper jaw is not straight like most people's.

That's because I had braces as a teenager, but not until the end of the procedure. My orthodontist told me that everyone would laugh at me because of it. But actually, I have only received positive reactions to my smile my entire life.🌞

🧒🔍 I think wrinkles are very beautiful - also on women. Some people only smile with their mouths because they want to avoid wrinkles. I think a smiling face that also includes the eyes looks more natural and friendly. It strengthens the facial muscles and contributes to a healthy and lively expression.

Wrinkles are a part of life and often tell a story of joy and lived moments. An authentic smile that reaches the eyes can increase well-being and promote positive interactions.

😊🍀 Instead of worrying about wrinkles, it might be better to focus on a happy and fulfilled life, which is reflected in a genuine and warm smile.

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Dakota, nine years ago today. Dakota was almost 3 and I was 29. Dakota hasn't changed much, but I'm different now. I find that time can be really confusing. Nine years isn't really a lot, but somehow it is.

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