About five years ago, I figured out I have ADD. A psychiatrist agreed with me. A lot of people would say that, by labeling myself, I’ve now put myself in a box.
But I don’t feel like I’m in a box. In fact, I have no interest in sticking myself in a box. I mean, what person with ADD would want that? We’re pretty much out-of-the box people.
In fact, naming this particular set of characteristics opened up a whole box full of tools for me—therapists and coaches, biological treatments, books, journal articles, websites, support groups. And I’ve used these tools to hack my way out of some other boxes. Here are a few I’ve escaped from so far:
• The box labeled “I’ll never get my act together.”
• The boxes labeled “flaky,” “spaced out,” and “pathetic.”
• The box labeled “I have to hide this part of myself.”
• The box labeled “How come everyone but me seems to be able to … ?”
• The boxes labeled “underachiever” and “irresponsible.”
• The box labeled “Why can’t I just … ?”
• The box labeled, “If people knew the real me, they’d be disgusted.”
• The box labeled “You’re on your own, kid.”
• The box labeled “shame.”
OK, I guess I’m still tugging my feet out of a box or two. Nevertheless, I’m relishing my freedom.
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