Soul Scribbles

Welcome to the wild ride that is my creative process, where ADHD is both the conductor and the train wreck. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the beautiful chaos that turns my scattered thoughts into artistic masterpieces (or at least into something that vaguely resembles art).

Spontaneous Bursts of Inspiration: The ADHD Special

Let’s start with those glorious, spontaneous bursts of inspiration. You know, the ones that hit you at the most inconvenient times—like in the middle of a shower, just as you’re about to fall asleep, or during a meeting that you’re definitely supposed to be paying attention to. For me, these moments are pure gold. One minute I’m mindlessly scrolling through cat videos, and the next, bam! I’ve got the next big idea for a painting series.

Take last Tuesday, for instance. I was supposed to be organizing my studio (a noble but futile effort), when I suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to paint a giant mural of a flamingo riding a unicycle. Why? Who knows! ADHD, that’s why. An hour later, my studio was still a mess, but my mural was well underway. Who needs a tidy workspace when you have the power of spontaneous genius, right?

Managing Distractions: AKA Herding Cats

Now, managing these bursts of inspiration amidst the inevitable distractions is a whole different ball game. Imagine trying to herd cats. Blindfolded. In a hurricane. That’s what it’s like managing my ADHD brain during a creative session. One minute, I’m deeply engrossed in my project, and the next, I’m reorganizing my entire bookshelf by color because the sight of a misplaced book is just too much to handle.

My solution? Embrace the chaos. I’ve accepted that my brain doesn’t do linear. Instead, it does loops, zigzags, and the occasional nosedive. So, I keep a trusty notebook nearby to jot down random thoughts, ideas, and grocery lists that pop into my head mid-paint stroke. This way, I can temporarily silence the distractions and stay somewhat on track. Plus, these notes often turn into sparks for future projects. Win-win!

The ADHD Advantage: Creativity Unleashed

Despite the whirlwind, ADHD has its perks when it comes to creativity. For one, my brain’s inability to stay on a single track means I’m constantly exploring new ideas and perspectives. Where others might see a plain canvas, I see an endless array of possibilities—probably too many, if we’re being honest. This relentless curiosity drives me to experiment with different styles, mediums, and subjects.

For example, there was that time I decided to combine oil painting with collage, just to see what would happen. Spoiler: it was a mess, but it was my mess, and it was fantastic. The unpredictability of ADHD means I’m never short of ideas, and my art is always evolving. Sure, it might take me a little longer to finish a project (or, you know, start it), but the end result is always uniquely me.

The Silver Lining of Chaos

So, there you have it—the delightful, messy, and utterly unpredictable influence of ADHD on my creative process. It’s a rollercoaster, but it’s my rollercoaster, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. ADHD keeps my creativity fresh, my ideas flowing, and my life interesting. It might be a challenge to manage, but it’s also a gift that fuels my artistic journey in the most unexpected ways.

Next time you feel overwhelmed by the chaos, remember: sometimes, the best ideas come from the most chaotic minds. Embrace it, ride the wave, and let your creativity shine. And if all else fails, there’s always cat videos for inspiration.