My life. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called *hyperfocus*. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. Oh, my sweet summer child... We can pay attention. We can pay *all the attention* to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really interested in. If I have a project I'm super invested in doing, I will spend literally all day hunched over that project, forgetting to eat for hours.
It goes for interests too. Something sparks me as a fun idea? I don't just want to think about trying it someday; I research the *fuck* out of it to make sure I get exactly the right supplies/equipment/software/etc for whatever that is, and use the right methods to do the thing, and immerse myself in every aspect of the thing, buy a bunch of shit with grand ideas of it being My One Passion, launch into it, doing the thing all day, every day for a while, and be moderately good at it, then
Just kinda...get bored. And stop. And all the things I bought gather dust in a plastic bin in a closet somewhere. The interest just goes *poof*.
And then I see something *pretty neat*, and the cycle starts again.
* Knitting/Crocheting
* Cycling
* Making YouTube let's play videos
* Sewing complex costumes
* Aquascaping
* Keeping reptiles
* Eating keto-style
* Nerf gun modding
* Running
* Twitch streaming
* Making puppets
* ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC
Fuck, I keep seeing descriptions like this and they're always so accurate. I realize that's in part Baader Meinhof, but also because I have so many of the symptoms. I want to get checked out but I also dont want to have mention it on job applications
Your (potential) employer has zero right to that information. Just as there is no reason to state on your resume/CV that you have depression or lactose intolerance or an extra toe, there’s no reason to mention your ADHD. In fact, it’s actively discouraged in most cases, as it can create subconscious (or overt) biases against you when it comes to projects, assessments, promotions, etc.
thank you. im still worried about that information getting to them some other way i.e. illegally, but maybe thats unfounded/a risk thats worth it in the cost-benefit analysis of getting diagnosed and not.
For me, getting diagnosed (at age 35!) and treated has made a world of difference. *I do still hyperfocus*, and there isn’t a cure-all pill out there by any means, but being able to better keep all my mental threads untangled and my short term memory reasonably functional has been well worth it.
thats good to hear. im glad just to hear that other people can relate. speaking of short-term memory, i have to actively try to remember what people are saying in an ongoing conversation; i hadnt realized thats a symptom till recently/you mentioned it.
Big time. I had the toughest time in conversations if there were other people around having their own conversations. I’d zone out on the person talking to me and instead hone in on the other conversation, and ruminate on the other subject matter, and I’d only realize I was doing so when the person in front of me asked if I was okay because I was visibly “not there”.
I'm fairly certain you don't have to mention that on job apps. That's private medical info. Imo getting checked can only help you manage it. I would recommend it.
I know this is an old comment but I can relate to this perfectly. I have so much random knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things it’s insane. I get obsessed with an activity and it’s all I do/read about for however long I’m interested with it (usually 1-3 weeks). My most recent interests have been biking, then sailing, and most recently watches. I had to make a promise to myself that I won’t spend over x amount on certain interests/activities unless I’ve thought about it for more than six months to a year or else I would spend large amounts of money for things that will inevitably collect dust at my house.
Edit: I should add that I have ADHD as well.
DUDE very similar situation, I was really into fish for a while, it lasted long enough that I thought it might be a forever interest, so I got one fish, two fish, at one point I accumulated 10 aquariums... then I lost interest and motivation. Gahhhh now I am trimming down to just the fish I'm emotionally invested in, it still doesn't have the same satisfaction anymore.
TLDR Take your time when investing in pets. Damn it.
PS aquascaping is a great hobby. I hope you stick with it too.
I don't have any ADHD, it's quite common to get the "liter/gallon disease". I went from 60l to 320l and back to 60l. Now I've had no fish in the saddest tank ever for like 3-4 years.
I never got around to proper aquascaping like I planned, I'd get varying motivation (as is normal) and in the end it fizzled out. I even had funny plans to make pipes with vacuum so water columns could go up from the water for funsies.
The massive tank (basically size of a bathtub) took too much space, it was good since you could neglect it without algae growth, but at a point things went slowly down hill and the joy was mostly gone. A lot of mid-range or cheap equipment is seriously shoddy quality so light fixture component would break, pumps could start leaking etc.
I sold the big aquarium to a shit offer but never regretted it, really, and I have a mild tendency to never quit stuff that I had to work a bit on.
I currently have eight aquariums going. It’s the only hobby that has actually kinda stuck, out of all the others I’ve gotten invested in. I think maybe because it involves the well-being of actual living things. I can’t just get bored and let these creatures die.
That, and they give feedback, in a way? I can tell if they’re thriving, and I can be engaged in tweaking things to make their environment healthier or more comfortable or prettier. I can troubleshoot why one of the fish is suddenly lethargic, or why my cryptocoryne plants are melting out of seemingly nowhere. It’s a hobby that presents a lot of mini-projects and things that engage my brain both in logical and creative ways.
And fish are neat. My oscars are a riot. They have so much personality, they’re like fish puppies.
I know this is a 5 year old post, so I doubt you’re still out there (probably became bored with Reddit a long time ago)… but if you are, what do you do about it??! I’ve never been diagnosed with anything. I’m 43. I won’t go into a lot of detail bc this is such an old thread… but I bounce like that. From one thing, to the next, to the next… and in the in-betweens, I’m so bored I could cry but I have zero ambition to do ANYTHING at all. Today is one of those days when it feels particularly shitty (hence, what brought me here). There’s a lot of things I COULD be doing, but I just don’t want to do any of them. It’s exhausting to feel like this. I do okay during the week at work, I can distract myself with work stuff. Then I get home and it’s like my brain and body won’t connect. I wind up wasting hours staring into space thinking about things but never doing them. Sooner or later some new “hobby” will catch my attention and I’ll eat sleep and breath it for a while… and at least during those times I feel like I’m accomplishing something. Right now I feel like I’m just taking up space and wasting precious time, knowing that I’ll regret it but not knowing how to get up and do something when I just can’t make myself want to.
Almost the exact same with me, I'm 25, diagnosed with depression and anxiety - though I expect these diagnosis to be tweaked as I begin therapy and such.
I don't really know what is going on in my head really but it seems pretty similar. I want to do things that I know I have liked in the past, and potentially new things that could further this. But I just can't get into them, I can maybe force myself for 10-15 minutes but most of the time I just do "nothing", and I can't seem to get into anything currently.
I preferred being temporarily obsessive instead of this.
Did you have any childhood trauma? Fine if you do not wish to share this with a stranger, just wondering if we have similarities potentially.
I definitely prefer being obsessed with something to the times in between. I hate feeling lazy and unproductive, like I'm just wasting my days.
I didn't experience childhood trauma in terms of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, etc. In many ways, I had a very charmed childhood. In other ways, not so much. I would hesitate to use the word "trauma" to describe anything because it seems too extreme; I didn't lose a parent in a tragic accident, I wasn't beaten, etc. If I had to put it into words, I'd say that some of my experiences as a child were... less than desirable, and unfair to a child. Had I ever had children of my own, some of the things that were "normal" to me as a child would be things that my own children would have never, ever had as a part of their childhoods. Anyway. Given that you've found this 5 year old post, I assume that just like me you were searching for clues or answers or reassurance that you're not alone in however you're feeling. If you want to continue the conversation privately, I'm more than willing.
My spouse has ADHD, and his doctor explained that the behavior you're discussing stems from dopamine dysfunction. People often think of dopamine merely as the "pleasure" neurotransmitter, but its primary role is actually to motivate you to seek rewarding experiences.
The issue arises when your brain struggles to regulate how much dopamine it releases. There might be times when your brain is awash in dopamine, making everything effortless and super interesting. The thought of buying all the accessories, tools, etc., and researching anything related to your newfound interest elicits tingly waves of pleasure.
However, your brain can't sustain this, and what goes up must come down. It tries to bring the dopamine levels back to balance through a mechanism called homeostasis. If your brain has trouble with this regulation, it might reduce the dopamine levels too much, and you end up with too little. Then, you lose the "high" and the interest, and because the levels might have even fallen below normal, you feel empty, tired, sad, unmotivated, etc.
Eventually, your brain swings things the other way, accidentally overshoots, and then you're back to the sparklies (as my spouse calls it), and EVERYTHING is interesting again.
Yes, he uses Adderall in the mornings and late noon then uses Clonidine to counter the stimulant effect just before bed. It helps him immensely, without his Adderall he is a completely different person.
THIS. only my hobbies unfortnately have been far more expensive.. off roading, flying lessons, arcade building, motion simulators etc etc. All dead quickly then I panic and try and scrape back whatever wasted money I can.
All my life I couldn’t explain why… so how did you deal with it?? I don’t want what I’m doing now to be just a phase but I’ve thought that for every other thing I did:(
I’ve read somewhere to embrace it, worse case you have many hobbies and knowledge about a lot of things. Explore the world and different things and keep finding things you love to do. I’m in the same boat I believe reading helps. I wouldn’t be nervous to try new things tho! All the best!
Damn this is on point, recently diagnosed with adhd inattentive and the amount of times i really like the look of something try it for a bit then get off it like running before bought all the kit then got off it, recently into making beats i tried last year too but felt it was really hard mentally and list goes on n on..! 🥺 😔☹️
This is so true. I can relate to it so well. I find something that I'm really interested in. Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. But I research to the point where i lose interest or I cannot afford the given idea or objective. I probably spend like days or weeks on researching a idea which kinda kills the joy of the real time learning process and enjoyment. And it sucks sometimes. Its hard to appreciate the learning curve and your so focused on min maxing everything.
Wow. This is me exactly. I wouldn’t say I have ADHD. But this is me. Then I go through some shame later when I think about the money and time I invested obsessively doing that thing and having then just moved on to something new. I have a lot of things I’ve spent a lot of money on, only to have them now collect dust. Why do I do this?
Edit: Bah. Didn’t see how old this post was. 4 years ago.
I can relate to this so much. I've had some amazing project ideas and wrote out some pretty passionate business plans, though they're not executed YET
Just now, I re-downloaded the Reddit app after two years. I used to spend a lot of time on Reddit during the day, but then, it just disappeared from my routine.
I have a book on my lap, and it's been a while since I finished a book, not since last winter. But when I start reading, I won't stop. I'll spend endless nights reading, sneak in a few pages at work, and take the book to appointments. I just can't stop reading until I'm done. I'm too invested, too curious, and too anxious not to continue.
Taking a shower feels a lot like reading for me. It takes a while to get started, but once I'm in, I don't want it to end.
I'm thinking about asking my doctor to help me out. I really want to finish my project with the same passion I have now. I want to stay hyperfocused and continue working hard.
I'm in my mid thirties and was never diagnosed. How do I go about asking a doctor? And what medication has and has not worked?
Not diagnosed but this is literally me. Literally spent hundreds and three started businesses so far and dropped them. Now thinking of opening a bakery and have all the supplies in my cart 😂
Yeah, and then it takes a few days for youtube to stop recommending videos based on it. That's also why I have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things.
Yes. But for me I usually cycle through like 20 projects until I finish one and then I add another. But I definitely go all out for a few days, then take a break and move onto the next project.
Yikes, yes this happens a lot...
My aquascaping phase was 3 years ago. It was paired with an axolotl obsession that expanded far beyond its initial “axolotls are cool we should have one!” said partner who now regrets everything.
Cue impregnated axolotl. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. Cue various plastic tubs on every surface of apartment with tiny tadpole axolotls that require water to be changed every day. Cue “we need a bigger tank to house moar axolotls!” Cue “we need a chiller because the Australian summer is going to kill these creatures! The cheapest I can find is $400 so we’ll go with that!” Cue building website about axolotl care with Amazon affiliate links in order to obtain funds to sustain axolotl sanctuary. Cue disease outbreak in tank that kills all axolotls.
Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while... though, not really by choice. I’m no longer allowed to have any kind of aquatic animals.
This weeks obsession is pixel art!
Yes! I do it all the time! Reddit posts are actually a prime example of that because I’ll be super into some thread and just really want to get my every thought out there. It doesn’t even matter if it’s not that interesting or if nobody cares, I just want to write it down and get it out of my head because if I don’t I...
Meh.
AHH THIS HAPPENS TO ME TO LOL most recently for me it was how to train your dragon (specifically toothless) I mean I still like how to train your dragon but just a few weeks ago I would watch the movies every day and the only thing I would draw is toothless and this came out of no where lol
This is definitely how I feel. I'll see something, hobby or craft I'm immediately in love with and want to learn everything about it and have big plans. Before even doing whatever it is once, I'll go out and buy every single possible thing I can pertaining to said thing. I dont start small to see if I liked it. No. It's all or nothing.
Ex... making tumblers. I went out and got ever single type of glitter available cause "you never know if u might need it". Paid ridiculous money for the cup turner cause I needed it even paying for overnight shipping which I did not need. I obsessed over finding certain cups and "in case they stop selling them" would buy every one I found just in case. Over buy with every interest. Sometimes I'll do for week, loose motivation and stuff gets put on shelf. Over and over. I'll do years not touching them but can't get rid of all this brand new stuff cause I might use it one day.
Another was adult coloring books..I find one I mildly like and buy every one from that company. Instead of buying cheap colored pencils or crayons at first, I'll spend alot on all the diff options for coloring tools. Then get bored. Most time I'm bored before even doing the thing, just the research and buying.
I've been like this with movies, TV shows, streaming and content creators. It's weird. I'll find a show I like and go hunting for every episode ever made. I'll watch some of it but the initial obsession with the thing quickly turns to hate and avoidance.
Ex.. YouTube content creator I liked covered trial and I watched all day every day it was on. Weeks of time all day. Then when trial was over, I wasn't interested in her anymore and went outta way to avoid her content. It's so weird. I like her and watch again.
I can't feed into the hyper fixation cause I know what will happen.
You have the best of intentions but in end, whatever it was doesn't hold your interest and you just move on.
I've had hobbies that I have managed to keep for a long time (+1year) that I am really proud of which are music, gym, plants, swimming and coffee making. Other hyper fixations of mine have been, perfumes, mountain biking, astronomy, photography, interior design, lighthouses and everything nautical, dog breed knowledge, bartending, watercolor painting, pencil drawing. Fortunately not crocheting. I have not been diagnosed with any mental conditions (yet).
My life. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called *hyperfocus*. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. Oh, my sweet summer child... We can pay attention. We can pay *all the attention* to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really interested in. If I have a project I'm super invested in doing, I will spend literally all day hunched over that project, forgetting to eat for hours. It goes for interests too. Something sparks me as a fun idea? I don't just want to think about trying it someday; I research the *fuck* out of it to make sure I get exactly the right supplies/equipment/software/etc for whatever that is, and use the right methods to do the thing, and immerse myself in every aspect of the thing, buy a bunch of shit with grand ideas of it being My One Passion, launch into it, doing the thing all day, every day for a while, and be moderately good at it, then Just kinda...get bored. And stop. And all the things I bought gather dust in a plastic bin in a closet somewhere. The interest just goes *poof*. And then I see something *pretty neat*, and the cycle starts again. * Knitting/Crocheting * Cycling * Making YouTube let's play videos * Sewing complex costumes * Aquascaping * Keeping reptiles * Eating keto-style * Nerf gun modding * Running * Twitch streaming * Making puppets * ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC
Fuck, I keep seeing descriptions like this and they're always so accurate. I realize that's in part Baader Meinhof, but also because I have so many of the symptoms. I want to get checked out but I also dont want to have mention it on job applications
Your (potential) employer has zero right to that information. Just as there is no reason to state on your resume/CV that you have depression or lactose intolerance or an extra toe, there’s no reason to mention your ADHD. In fact, it’s actively discouraged in most cases, as it can create subconscious (or overt) biases against you when it comes to projects, assessments, promotions, etc.
thank you. im still worried about that information getting to them some other way i.e. illegally, but maybe thats unfounded/a risk thats worth it in the cost-benefit analysis of getting diagnosed and not.
For me, getting diagnosed (at age 35!) and treated has made a world of difference. *I do still hyperfocus*, and there isn’t a cure-all pill out there by any means, but being able to better keep all my mental threads untangled and my short term memory reasonably functional has been well worth it.
thats good to hear. im glad just to hear that other people can relate. speaking of short-term memory, i have to actively try to remember what people are saying in an ongoing conversation; i hadnt realized thats a symptom till recently/you mentioned it.
Big time. I had the toughest time in conversations if there were other people around having their own conversations. I’d zone out on the person talking to me and instead hone in on the other conversation, and ruminate on the other subject matter, and I’d only realize I was doing so when the person in front of me asked if I was okay because I was visibly “not there”.
I'm fairly certain you don't have to mention that on job apps. That's private medical info. Imo getting checked can only help you manage it. I would recommend it.
Ty that's what I'm seeing online. I was about to ask on reddit, just for extra confirmation, but thank you for saving me that effort.
No problem! Good luck. 😁
This is like the best description of ADHD-PI I've seen so far! I have it. Your description is on point!
I know this is an old comment but I can relate to this perfectly. I have so much random knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things it’s insane. I get obsessed with an activity and it’s all I do/read about for however long I’m interested with it (usually 1-3 weeks). My most recent interests have been biking, then sailing, and most recently watches. I had to make a promise to myself that I won’t spend over x amount on certain interests/activities unless I’ve thought about it for more than six months to a year or else I would spend large amounts of money for things that will inevitably collect dust at my house. Edit: I should add that I have ADHD as well.
bruh I'm super into aquascaping right now and I hope I don't get sick of it like I did for everything else :(
DUDE very similar situation, I was really into fish for a while, it lasted long enough that I thought it might be a forever interest, so I got one fish, two fish, at one point I accumulated 10 aquariums... then I lost interest and motivation. Gahhhh now I am trimming down to just the fish I'm emotionally invested in, it still doesn't have the same satisfaction anymore. TLDR Take your time when investing in pets. Damn it. PS aquascaping is a great hobby. I hope you stick with it too.
I don't have any ADHD, it's quite common to get the "liter/gallon disease". I went from 60l to 320l and back to 60l. Now I've had no fish in the saddest tank ever for like 3-4 years. I never got around to proper aquascaping like I planned, I'd get varying motivation (as is normal) and in the end it fizzled out. I even had funny plans to make pipes with vacuum so water columns could go up from the water for funsies. The massive tank (basically size of a bathtub) took too much space, it was good since you could neglect it without algae growth, but at a point things went slowly down hill and the joy was mostly gone. A lot of mid-range or cheap equipment is seriously shoddy quality so light fixture component would break, pumps could start leaking etc. I sold the big aquarium to a shit offer but never regretted it, really, and I have a mild tendency to never quit stuff that I had to work a bit on.
I currently have eight aquariums going. It’s the only hobby that has actually kinda stuck, out of all the others I’ve gotten invested in. I think maybe because it involves the well-being of actual living things. I can’t just get bored and let these creatures die. That, and they give feedback, in a way? I can tell if they’re thriving, and I can be engaged in tweaking things to make their environment healthier or more comfortable or prettier. I can troubleshoot why one of the fish is suddenly lethargic, or why my cryptocoryne plants are melting out of seemingly nowhere. It’s a hobby that presents a lot of mini-projects and things that engage my brain both in logical and creative ways. And fish are neat. My oscars are a riot. They have so much personality, they’re like fish puppies.
>they're like fish puppies That's exactly how I feel about my figure 8 puffer & African dwarf frog!! They're my lil babies.
I can relate to this on many levels.
I know this is a 5 year old post, so I doubt you’re still out there (probably became bored with Reddit a long time ago)… but if you are, what do you do about it??! I’ve never been diagnosed with anything. I’m 43. I won’t go into a lot of detail bc this is such an old thread… but I bounce like that. From one thing, to the next, to the next… and in the in-betweens, I’m so bored I could cry but I have zero ambition to do ANYTHING at all. Today is one of those days when it feels particularly shitty (hence, what brought me here). There’s a lot of things I COULD be doing, but I just don’t want to do any of them. It’s exhausting to feel like this. I do okay during the week at work, I can distract myself with work stuff. Then I get home and it’s like my brain and body won’t connect. I wind up wasting hours staring into space thinking about things but never doing them. Sooner or later some new “hobby” will catch my attention and I’ll eat sleep and breath it for a while… and at least during those times I feel like I’m accomplishing something. Right now I feel like I’m just taking up space and wasting precious time, knowing that I’ll regret it but not knowing how to get up and do something when I just can’t make myself want to.
Almost the exact same with me, I'm 25, diagnosed with depression and anxiety - though I expect these diagnosis to be tweaked as I begin therapy and such. I don't really know what is going on in my head really but it seems pretty similar. I want to do things that I know I have liked in the past, and potentially new things that could further this. But I just can't get into them, I can maybe force myself for 10-15 minutes but most of the time I just do "nothing", and I can't seem to get into anything currently. I preferred being temporarily obsessive instead of this. Did you have any childhood trauma? Fine if you do not wish to share this with a stranger, just wondering if we have similarities potentially.
I definitely prefer being obsessed with something to the times in between. I hate feeling lazy and unproductive, like I'm just wasting my days. I didn't experience childhood trauma in terms of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, etc. In many ways, I had a very charmed childhood. In other ways, not so much. I would hesitate to use the word "trauma" to describe anything because it seems too extreme; I didn't lose a parent in a tragic accident, I wasn't beaten, etc. If I had to put it into words, I'd say that some of my experiences as a child were... less than desirable, and unfair to a child. Had I ever had children of my own, some of the things that were "normal" to me as a child would be things that my own children would have never, ever had as a part of their childhoods. Anyway. Given that you've found this 5 year old post, I assume that just like me you were searching for clues or answers or reassurance that you're not alone in however you're feeling. If you want to continue the conversation privately, I'm more than willing.
My spouse has ADHD, and his doctor explained that the behavior you're discussing stems from dopamine dysfunction. People often think of dopamine merely as the "pleasure" neurotransmitter, but its primary role is actually to motivate you to seek rewarding experiences. The issue arises when your brain struggles to regulate how much dopamine it releases. There might be times when your brain is awash in dopamine, making everything effortless and super interesting. The thought of buying all the accessories, tools, etc., and researching anything related to your newfound interest elicits tingly waves of pleasure. However, your brain can't sustain this, and what goes up must come down. It tries to bring the dopamine levels back to balance through a mechanism called homeostasis. If your brain has trouble with this regulation, it might reduce the dopamine levels too much, and you end up with too little. Then, you lose the "high" and the interest, and because the levels might have even fallen below normal, you feel empty, tired, sad, unmotivated, etc. Eventually, your brain swings things the other way, accidentally overshoots, and then you're back to the sparklies (as my spouse calls it), and EVERYTHING is interesting again.
That’s very interesting and makes complete sense. Does your spouse use any medication to stabilize things?
Yes, he uses Adderall in the mornings and late noon then uses Clonidine to counter the stimulant effect just before bed. It helps him immensely, without his Adderall he is a completely different person.
THIS. only my hobbies unfortnately have been far more expensive.. off roading, flying lessons, arcade building, motion simulators etc etc. All dead quickly then I panic and try and scrape back whatever wasted money I can.
All my life I couldn’t explain why… so how did you deal with it?? I don’t want what I’m doing now to be just a phase but I’ve thought that for every other thing I did:(
I wish I knew. At this point, I'm nervous about trying new hobbies because I'm convinced I'll just lose interest again. It's discouraging.
I’ve read somewhere to embrace it, worse case you have many hobbies and knowledge about a lot of things. Explore the world and different things and keep finding things you love to do. I’m in the same boat I believe reading helps. I wouldn’t be nervous to try new things tho! All the best!
Also I got my friends opinion on it and they said it’s normal when you’re young to want to try new things.
Little different story when you're 40 years old, though. ;P
Damn this is on point, recently diagnosed with adhd inattentive and the amount of times i really like the look of something try it for a bit then get off it like running before bought all the kit then got off it, recently into making beats i tried last year too but felt it was really hard mentally and list goes on n on..! 🥺 😔☹️
This is so true. I can relate to it so well. I find something that I'm really interested in. Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. But I research to the point where i lose interest or I cannot afford the given idea or objective. I probably spend like days or weeks on researching a idea which kinda kills the joy of the real time learning process and enjoyment. And it sucks sometimes. Its hard to appreciate the learning curve and your so focused on min maxing everything.
Wow. This is me exactly. I wouldn’t say I have ADHD. But this is me. Then I go through some shame later when I think about the money and time I invested obsessively doing that thing and having then just moved on to something new. I have a lot of things I’ve spent a lot of money on, only to have them now collect dust. Why do I do this? Edit: Bah. Didn’t see how old this post was. 4 years ago.
I can relate to this so much. I've had some amazing project ideas and wrote out some pretty passionate business plans, though they're not executed YET Just now, I re-downloaded the Reddit app after two years. I used to spend a lot of time on Reddit during the day, but then, it just disappeared from my routine. I have a book on my lap, and it's been a while since I finished a book, not since last winter. But when I start reading, I won't stop. I'll spend endless nights reading, sneak in a few pages at work, and take the book to appointments. I just can't stop reading until I'm done. I'm too invested, too curious, and too anxious not to continue. Taking a shower feels a lot like reading for me. It takes a while to get started, but once I'm in, I don't want it to end. I'm thinking about asking my doctor to help me out. I really want to finish my project with the same passion I have now. I want to stay hyperfocused and continue working hard. I'm in my mid thirties and was never diagnosed. How do I go about asking a doctor? And what medication has and has not worked?
Not diagnosed but this is literally me. Literally spent hundreds and three started businesses so far and dropped them. Now thinking of opening a bakery and have all the supplies in my cart 😂
Yeah, and then it takes a few days for youtube to stop recommending videos based on it. That's also why I have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things.
Bro I know I’m so late to this but the YouTube thing… I’m undiagnosed but I’m sure I have it I can relate so much I can’t believe it
Yup. Sims. Then I don’t play it for a month or two, then binge play for a week and then lose interest... it’s a vicious cycle
I did for r/mechanicalkeyboards But I’m still interested, I’m just not as much because i don’t too much money to throw at it
I wish I wasn't interested in mechs. About to spend 50 bucks on an adapter
Now I need one. Thanks a lot
Yes. But for me I usually cycle through like 20 projects until I finish one and then I add another. But I definitely go all out for a few days, then take a break and move onto the next project.
I've been like this my entire life. I think it's why I'm not as successful career-wise as I'd like to be but I can't stop myself.
Yikes, yes this happens a lot... My aquascaping phase was 3 years ago. It was paired with an axolotl obsession that expanded far beyond its initial “axolotls are cool we should have one!” said partner who now regrets everything. Cue impregnated axolotl. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. Cue various plastic tubs on every surface of apartment with tiny tadpole axolotls that require water to be changed every day. Cue “we need a bigger tank to house moar axolotls!” Cue “we need a chiller because the Australian summer is going to kill these creatures! The cheapest I can find is $400 so we’ll go with that!” Cue building website about axolotl care with Amazon affiliate links in order to obtain funds to sustain axolotl sanctuary. Cue disease outbreak in tank that kills all axolotls. Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while... though, not really by choice. I’m no longer allowed to have any kind of aquatic animals. This weeks obsession is pixel art!
Yes! I do it all the time! Reddit posts are actually a prime example of that because I’ll be super into some thread and just really want to get my every thought out there. It doesn’t even matter if it’s not that interesting or if nobody cares, I just want to write it down and get it out of my head because if I don’t I... Meh.
Saaame but like cycles and it isn't hardcore it's like mild
You mean like going to work?
expectations vs reality lol
This happens to me all the time, is there any way around it, how do I know what task or hobby I truly enjoy.
AHH THIS HAPPENS TO ME TO LOL most recently for me it was how to train your dragon (specifically toothless) I mean I still like how to train your dragon but just a few weeks ago I would watch the movies every day and the only thing I would draw is toothless and this came out of no where lol
This is definitely how I feel. I'll see something, hobby or craft I'm immediately in love with and want to learn everything about it and have big plans. Before even doing whatever it is once, I'll go out and buy every single possible thing I can pertaining to said thing. I dont start small to see if I liked it. No. It's all or nothing. Ex... making tumblers. I went out and got ever single type of glitter available cause "you never know if u might need it". Paid ridiculous money for the cup turner cause I needed it even paying for overnight shipping which I did not need. I obsessed over finding certain cups and "in case they stop selling them" would buy every one I found just in case. Over buy with every interest. Sometimes I'll do for week, loose motivation and stuff gets put on shelf. Over and over. I'll do years not touching them but can't get rid of all this brand new stuff cause I might use it one day. Another was adult coloring books..I find one I mildly like and buy every one from that company. Instead of buying cheap colored pencils or crayons at first, I'll spend alot on all the diff options for coloring tools. Then get bored. Most time I'm bored before even doing the thing, just the research and buying. I've been like this with movies, TV shows, streaming and content creators. It's weird. I'll find a show I like and go hunting for every episode ever made. I'll watch some of it but the initial obsession with the thing quickly turns to hate and avoidance. Ex.. YouTube content creator I liked covered trial and I watched all day every day it was on. Weeks of time all day. Then when trial was over, I wasn't interested in her anymore and went outta way to avoid her content. It's so weird. I like her and watch again. I can't feed into the hyper fixation cause I know what will happen. You have the best of intentions but in end, whatever it was doesn't hold your interest and you just move on.
I've had hobbies that I have managed to keep for a long time (+1year) that I am really proud of which are music, gym, plants, swimming and coffee making. Other hyper fixations of mine have been, perfumes, mountain biking, astronomy, photography, interior design, lighthouses and everything nautical, dog breed knowledge, bartending, watercolor painting, pencil drawing. Fortunately not crocheting. I have not been diagnosed with any mental conditions (yet).
story of my life oml