A Cluttered Life
Last week I was officially diagnosed with something that I had suspected for awhile: Adult AD/HD – not the hyperactivity type, but the “inattentive” type. As I discussed my childhood with the doctor, I realized that my whole life I have had to work extra hard to stay focused and organized. In debating whether or not to share this information, I decided that perhaps my candor and transparency might help someone else who is going through the frustration of trying to balance the challenges.
Just because someone has AD/HD does not mean that he/she is not intelligent or able to succeed. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from college and earned a master’s degree in international business; I lived in Brazil and even worked my way up to become a vice president at a very large New York City bank. In retrospect, I realize that I always had to work a bit harder to stay focused – As a student, I would constantly misplace notes and papers from class, and as an adult, I constantly misplace the keys and my children’s papers from school. So right now, I would like to say a special “thank you” to all my friends from elementary school, high school, college and graduate school who shared their notes. In addition, I would like to say a special “thank you “to other moms who have faxed over school papers and cheerleading forms I have lost. Thank you for your patience, understanding and support.
As I approach the second half of my life (I will be 49 in March), I look forward to having more focus and a greater productivity – both personally and professionally. I even plan to “declutter” my closets along with my characters. Yes, as I rewrite my first novel yet again, I plan to simplify and streamline the story. I will tackle head-on the clutter in my life that holds me back. A friend of mine mentioned to me about how her friend filled up a glass jar with pieces of paper of things that needed to get done around the house. Then, each weekend, her friend would pick a piece of paper from the jar and focus on that project. Will you join me for this challenge, too?