Glorified Noise

His helmet had this odd discolored patch on it. Like, white against white, but … weird? It’s then that I realized his helmet didn’t have a discolored patch, it had a patch missing. A big chunk of his helmet had just been shaved away, the curve of the helmet gone and sanded flat by whatever it had been scraped against. And running through that patch, from one side of the helmet to the other, was this big crack, like the whole helmet had split like an eggshell. 

Our teacher took a couple deep panting breaths and then told our class: “And this,” he took another deep breath, “is why you always wear your helmet”. 

Laziness is – I need to do this thing. I don’t want to do this thing, therefore I won’t do this thing. I couldn’t care less about the consequences, or who it hurts, as long as I get to enjoy myself. Complete lack of care for others. Instant gratification achieved.

Responsible Self Care/Mindfulness is – I need to do this thing. I want/don’t want to do this thing. However I’ve been working really hard lately. I’m feeling burnt out and exhausted. I need a break or I’m going to get sensory overload, or have a meltdown. I’m going to skip this task in order to take care of my mental and physical health. I can always tackle this task tomorrow. The world won’t end if I prioritise my health.

Procrastination is – I need to do to this thing. I want/don’t want to do it, but it’s important I do. However, I don’t want to do it just yet because it’s a big task and it’s making me anxious, and I could probably do other stuff first, so I’ll put it to the back of the list and do it later on.

Executive Dysfunction (the core ADHD experience) is – I need to do this thing. I want/don’t want to do it, but despite needing to do this thing… I can’t. I don’t know why I can’t. It should be easy right? I just need to get up, and find the item, and start the task. But how do I start the task?? There’s so many steps involed. What’s the best way to do this? This is really stressing me out because I need to do this thing, and I’m so frustrated! Why is this not happening, it’s not even this hard. But no, I’m just scrolling through the internet still. Pleeeassse, I’m begging, just start the task.

Hyperfocus (the ADHD intense state of focus) is – Cool. I’m doing this thing. This thing is really engaging. I’m so focused on this thing. There is nothing else that exists but this task. Oh crap, it’s been five hours and I haven’t made lunch, and really need the bathroom, and I’m kinda exhausted. Where did my day go!? Oh my god. Woops.

Executive Dysfunction (the Time Blindness aspect) is – > Version 1) (Time moves too fast) I need to do this thing at 3:00, which means I need to leave at 2:30 to get there for 2:50 so I can be ten minutes early and… What do you mean it’s already 2:45!? *PANIC* > Version 2) (Time moves too slow) I need to do this thing at 3:00, which means I need to leave at 2:30 to get there for 2:50 so I can be ten minutes early. Wow! I sure did get all of this preperation done early so I can leave on time! I bet it’s almost 2:30 now. Wait… What do you mean it’s still 11am??????

help me manifest blue pennsylvania

time is meaningless.

which means if i have one (1) thing that i need to do, my brain has to block the entire day out for it.

which means that even if it’s technically a “day off” if i have one (1) important obligation–even if it’s only gonna take like 2 hours out of hte day–my brain doesn’t count it as a “day off” so i don’t actually get to use it to decompress from everything else

Forgot what you were doing because your brain zoomed way ahead and you were left scrambling to remember why you’re holding a dishtowel? Adhd

Looked up from your computer screen and realized you’ve been reading wikipedia articles about the mating habits of spiders for the past five hours and you haven’t eaten all day? Adhd

Can’t do the mildly intimidating task because every time you try to think about how to do it, your brain skitters away from the topic like a nervous mouse? Adhd

Didn’t do the dishes because you remembered them on the drive home but by the time you arrived you had already moved on to other topics? Adhd

I'm sitting right in front of you and looking you in the eye, but I have no idea what you just said

Or

I'm in the other room and listening to your entire conversation while cooking dinner

@danidonovan has signed her name at the bottom right of her artwork. Please give her blog a follow for more information on ADHD. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I also pull a lot of my information from additudemag.com. Thankfully, we’re learning more about ADHD every day!

Also, remember, that people without this diagnosis can experience these symptoms, as well. ADHD is more chronic and a daily struggle.

A while ago, some people asked me to explain D&D and other RPGs… so of course I had to make it into an infographic!

This is by no means a comprehensive guide. The game can be as simple or complex as you want, but there ARE some pre-established basics you should know about - and those are best discovered on your own terms!

Some resources to help you get started: 

Watch/listen:

★ Rusty Quill Gaming Podcast - a ttrpg game in the Pathfinder system. Beginner friendly! Learn how to play along with the players!

★ Critical Role - a D&D game played by voice actors - Incredibly famous! Highly praised! Both videos and podcasts available.

★ The Adventure Zone - a TTRPG podcast by the McElroy brothers

Read/learn the rules:

📚 D&D 5e Player’s Handbook - pdf

📚 Basic Introduction to Character Races - website

📚 Overview of Character Classes - website

How-to and Tutorials:

🎲 Rolling a character - YouTube video

🎲 How combat works - YouTube video

🎲 Being a good player - YouTube video

And last but not least…

How To Play D&D Online! - YouTube Video

***

Pieces of Viking pottery with traces of cat and dog paws, seen at the Musée de Normandie in Caen Castle