Hyper-Focus Hijinks: Creative Detours

Is ADHD a Struggle or a Superpower?

Hi friends,

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted and then realized it was perfect opportunity to recognize – Hyper-focus and ADHD.

Hyper-focus is both our superpower and our kryptonite. It can send us into an immersive, almost meditative state where time and distractions completely disappear. The upside? It allows us to learn quickly and adapt to nearly any creative or learning situation. But here’s the catch: it can be all-consuming, affecting our relationships and our ability to manage day to day life.

The other side of the coin is loss of focus, often tied to procrastination and depression. We find ourselves unable to start, paralyzed by overwhelming tasks or life circumstances. Adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are almost three times more likely to experience depression than adults without ADHD.^[1]

This is part of why I’ve been MIA the past few weeks. I’ve been working on an album for a few years and even released a new single last week (it’s called She Said if you’re interested) but recently felt the pull of a new creative outlet—writing stories from my old song ideas/notes AND I’m learning to adapt into screenplays. This detour doesn’t mean I’m giving up on my album. Instead, it illustrates how my brain can latch onto something new and shiny until I feel like I’ve mastered it OR it no longer captivates my attention. How long that is? I never know.

Is ADHD a Struggle or a Superpower?
I see it as a bit of both; it enables us to dive headfirst into a project, it also makes multitasking nearly impossible. Recognizing and understanding these aspects can help us manage our lives better. Do you see ADHD as a struggle, a superpower, or both? Have you experienced hyper-focus to the point where it affects your other creative pursuits?

Thanks for reading,
Jason