I think the legend of Zelda is my special interest?
I'm not autistic, but I've never had something grip me so long as this franchise. It's been going downhill ever since I've played Breath of the wild in 2020. At first it was just a typical hyperfixation (although I did almost fail some of my high school classes because it was the only thing I could think about). But then it went on for months so okay... longer fixation than i'm used to but whatever.
I've hyperfixated on multiple other fandom since then, but unlike all of the times where my previous interest faded when I discovered a new one, Zelda just stuck. I still got excited seeing fanart and fanfics, I went out of my way to see any news from nintendo. I may have been less invested in it than in 2020-2021 but it's been at the back of my mind ever since.
Especially what helped me fuel and retain my interest in it was Linked Universe, especially in reading more about the lore and the other games. I have more to say on the subject but this post is already getting long enough and that's not the point.
Which brings us to today, in 2024. Calling TLOZ an hyperfixation would be just wrong, it's not what it is anymore. But it's definitely not a "normal" interest. When I hear someone talk about it, or see someone with merch related to it, I have to stop myself from coming over to excitedly ramble about it (or rant about totk). I've spent hours scouring wikis and watching videos about every game, their creation etc. I think about it at least once a day and will relate it to every new thing I love. And I don't feel my love for it fading any times soon. I've never felt this strongly about something ever.
I've had this thought for some times now, I had seen a lot of people say that special interests was a term that could only be used by autistic people, and I thought it hadn't been long enough for me to call it that and that special interests where something you developed when you were a kid. Well, today I did some actual research and
1. People with ADHD (me) can have special interests.
2. A special interest can develop in adulthood and I think almost 5 years is long enough to call it that, no?