Hey, Can You Process Something With Me?

I feel stumped. It’s 4 o'clock on a rainy Saturday afternoon. I’m sitting on the couch, in the dark, and Hitch is playing in the background. To be honest, I just want to rest my head on this pillow and doze off.

Instead, I redirect my thoughts toward the story that’s trying to emerge…

Last week, I told you about my ADHD diagnosis and how I started the process of going off my medication (after speaking with my doctor).

It's been fairly easy. I’m generally in good spirits and feel confident about my decision to explore alternative ways of coping with ADHD.

On the other hand, I’m tired. Really tired. There’s a restlessness within my body that wasn’t there before. I'm having trouble focusing and paying attention. I even told my boyfriend, “I’m a little disappointed with my output over the last couple of weeks.” If I’m being honest, writing today’s story is the last thing I want to do.

While I understand it may take time to find my new “normal,” I can’t deny that a lower level of productivity also makes me uncomfortable.

I don’t like how it feels to get less done; it jeopardizes the way I define myself–as a person who does get stuff done. Someone who’s active and passionate about their work. Someone who goes after what she wants. When I don’t show up as this person, I begin to question my identity and my self-esteem suffers.

Then, the question becomes: How do I cope with that? How do I take care of myself, and yet, also, challenge myself to keep doing the things I know are good for me (even when I don’t feel like it)?

There is always an answer if I am brave enough to ask, but it’s nuanced. Strategies that work today, won’t always work tomorrow. Sometimes, a breath of fresh air is all that’s needed to improve our mood. Other times, it’s not so simple.

As always, writing about it helps. Writing about our experiences has a way of making them feel less “all-encompassing.” It allows us the opportunity to process what we are feeling. Yet our writing doesn’t always have to follow our processing, sometimes we process as we write (just as I am doing right now).

Good writing, the kind that is honest and pure, asks us to step back, pause, and examine our circumstances as objectively as possible. Good writing that’s shared with others, has the power to set us free.

Suddenly, as I sit here, being “less” productive doesn’t seem so scary anymore. In fact, it seems much more simple, and dare I say normal to feel this way.

When was the last time you wrote about something you were struggling with? When was the last time you shared your writing with others? Is writing something you prioritize in your life?

P.S. If you’ve been searching for a reason to share your story—this is it. Personal Brand Accelerator is a 3-month course that will guide you to discover your purpose, clarify your message, and create authentic content. We teach our students how to write, structure, and tell their stories with confidence. Apply now.