Pretty Sure You Have ADHD? Why That Might Not Be Enough to Help You.
(see photo above: Are you often photographed with your mouth widely agape!? It MAY be a sign that you too are BORN TO FREAK- read on please!)
I notice that, online, a lot of people mention that they “suspect” they are ADHD or that they are “pretty sure” that they are.
I was too after reading “Driven to Distraction” by a Harvard trained MD (who also has ADHD!). But, I wasn’t entirely sure until I visited a psychologist and had a formal evaluation, including TOVA testing.
Before reaching out for professional help, I felt muddled and unsure. I was filled with doubt and a dollop of shame.
Was something, in fact, wrong with me?
For me, getting my suspicions confirmed by a professional made a BIG difference.
My healing and learning truly began only after I had more CERTAINTY About the diagnosis.
After that point, I was invited to try medication. I could search for solutions for myself.
And, perhaps BEST OF ALL, I began to claim my gifts with CERTAINTY.
I realized that what was “wrong” with me was also what was OHHH SO RIGHT!
In that immediate aftermath of receiving the diagnosis- I joyfully realized that I was Born TO FREAK!
Born to FREAK (def.): One who is born to see things differently and to be an agent of change. Said persons have heightened sensitivity and a certain irrepressibility. By using their terribly unique gifts, they return balance to the world, making it righteously better.
How You Know That You Were Born to FREAK……
When you see dogs (pet rabbits or tame mountain goats) you greet them so enthusiastically that the surprised owners look at you as if you’re wearing a hospital gown having just escaped the local locked ward. The dogs don’t mind.
You get so many ideas, concepts, dreams and insights that you fill notebooks, journals, shoeboxes and inboxes. Sometimes these ideas overwhelm you and, occasionally one idea will excite you so much you’ll surge with the power of the Universe and want make it happen.
You feel a strong affinity for all things absurd: Especially Dr. Seuss, certain Saturday night live skits, rainbow wigs and giraffe suits. You’ll want to go to Burning Man. You admire Steve Martin. You often need a LOT more cowbell than the average bear.
You do best in tidy, uncluttered environments which can be challenging as you’re a magpie, always collecting all that glitters and some that really doesn’t glitter at all but seemed like a really good idea at the time.
When it’s inconvenient, your mind will conjure up things that make you laugh inside your brain. Especially when laughing inside your brain is probably *inappropriate*- namely, serious film screenings, formal luncheons, group meditations, orchestral performances, or any formal sacred event. You absolutely cannot help it. Then the laughter spills out of your brain.
You want to run for the hills when they say they use Robert’s Rules. Try as you might, you have extreme difficulty remembering or adhering to most rules, laws, standards, axioms, commandments or regulations.
Paradoxically, you do your best work when given a few rules, laws, standards, axioms, commandments or, regulations. This is very difficult for you to accept. Forever. And ever. Amen.
On your brain’s inner shimmering screen, you can see many things before they happen…a pirate like adventure on the high seas...a new place to transform the tribe….a different way to gallop forward. Other people around you often rely on you to help them see it too.
You strike up conversations on elevators, trampolines, public restrooms, swingsets and street corners about absolutely everything and anything. And on some days…some people seem to relish it! This is when you are sure that the world is as magical as you’ve always suspected it is.
People often tell you astonishing things. When they share their deepest pain or most guarded secret, your heart gets full and you fall in love with them and the world all over again.
[Bored] games are astoundingly uninteresting to you. Though, for love of all God’s children, you’ll play Candyland or Chutes and Ladders for hours anyway. Because relationships are important to you. But it’s like poking your eyes out with tiny sharp Hasbro daggers. Finally arriving at Gloppy’s Swamp, within spitting distance of the candy castle, is sweet relief.
You have a more than sneaking suspicion that we can create whatever we want and some days you wish everybody understood this. It would make everything so much easier.
Your [partner, spouse, co-worker, roommate, dear friend] gets frustrated with you because you are so in tune with their emotional states that they can’t hide from you. You have tried to *not know* that people are upset, sad or or angry but it’s like trying to not to breathe.
Sometimes you experience the world as a lonely planet because it seems like everybody else is OK with the status quo and you are seeing how it’s unacceptable and needs to change.…NOW. Or at least by next Friday…at the absolute latest.
Most people who know you expect that you’re always excitable, boisterous and giddy. When you’re not, they notice. Sometimes they’re disappointed. They miss the boost you bring.
Sometimes you need to sing loud to the Psychedelic Furs in the car, stand on your head in a national park or crank up Pandora’s African Drum Station while you swiffer the kitchen just because it makes you feel more alive, more juiced. Your children, friends, family and chickens are often perplexed. On the very best days, they join right in.
When people tell you how they like to go on holiday to the same place, year after year, you gasp in horror. You’d rather fly to the moon. And sometimes you do. In your brain.
You get so ecstatic about certain films, pieces of jewelry, books, plays, productions, creations, art that you have to tell everybody you meet about them. You get a contact high from seeing other humans create..
If you’re still reading, I can only conclude that you were born to FREAK. Even if you stopped at 3 and got distracted. Especially if you got distracted. Or even if you only related to 50% of my list.
So don’t wait any longer! Blossom like a lotus and by that I mean dare to make one tiny creative act right now….arrange a tablescape, write a one word poem and post it on the fridge, crank up the volume and writhe in an avant garde way, compose a naughty limerick!
We, the born to FREAK ones, were born to see and sense things a little differently, to share our eccentric gifts and talents and transform the world with our unique expression. Each act of creativity is a radical act of healing and transformation..for you and for me. So I invite you to FREAK on.
The Universe needs more irrepressibles and born to FREAK people to express what’s within us so that balance and beauty can reign
Craving more ways to embrace your FREAKINESS?
Read Born to FREAK, my highly rated (by readers!) love letter to people like us now.
Sending you big hugs and high fives. YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!
If you’re longing for support in the form of coaching, healing work or shamanic mentoring- you can book that here.
The more resourced we are the better we do!
much love,
Sarah
A few new things!
TEA TALK (Like A TED talk only more comfy and ZEN!) at Halcyon across the street from Pizza Luce!
ADHD – and why getting that diagnosis was so helpful to me!
Interesting talks, by interesting people, about topics they are passionate about, in a cozy and informal space.
SCIENCE, MEDICINE, ART, HISTORY, BUSINESS, LIFE…
We provide the talks and the tea, bring your curiosity.
Sliding scale starting at $5
RSVP and share/invite others here.
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I just dropped a bunch of small pieces, restocked greeting cards, books and card decks to ALT Creative in Duluth which is a magical place!
They are located right net to Gear Exchange on 4th street!
508 East 4th Street in Duluth, MN
(Tap on image below for a quick TOUR)
Dreams come true!
My art is NOW available at @jewelweed.shop in their NEW Excelsior, MN location! If you see a painting above that you love- feel free to contact them- they ship!
952-476-7631
Plan a visit soon to stroll this quaint + lovely downtown and get all the goodness- flower essences, wonderful books, crystals, and SO MUCH MORE! I’ll be teaching a workshop there July 13-you can contact them to see if spots remain! See a short video tour of my visit here.
(these are the pockets sized Creative Soul Retrieval Books we will be making!)
Local friends! I’ll be teaching at @duluth folk school in January 2026! Would love to create with you! You can register here for Creative Soul Retrieval!
