Wandering Through the Woods of My AuDHD Mind

I often feel lost in a dense forest, with glimmers of sunlight peeking through, revealing hints of paths nearby.

My AuDHD diagnosis explained why everyone else seemed to have a map, while I was handed the maze from the back of a Lucky Charms box.

The explanation is a comfy coat; it brings relief, but it doesn’t make the navigation any easier.

Therapists and online tools can act like a GPS or a compass, but I still have to learn how to use them. Sometimes, they even seem synced to the wrong location.

My creative work is the wind that pushes aside the heavy foliage, letting the light break through. It warms. It guides.

But sometimes, it gets lonely when only a few wander into that light, and over time, the shadows start to reclaim it.

Sometimes, I want to trek through the woods with a party; to feel united, bonded, encouraged, and seen. Other times, I just want to duck away and seek solace.

But I always want to know that the party’s still there, that I can rejoin when I’m ready. That we can share imagination, or simply listen to the birdsong together.

I may never fill out my map entirely. I may never feel like an expert explorer in these woods. But I hope, as I travel, I keep finding others who connect, and together, we can make sense of the wandering.

If you ever feel lost, know that we can wander together. 🌲✨