I was always told I was selfish and lazy. Really I was an introvert who didn’t want what society was handing her. There weren’t words for that in the GenX era other than shy or weird. I forced myself into situations that made me uncomfortable and used alcohol to make me brave. I’ve finally stepped into a relative quiet and turned away from the voices outside my head. It’s a relief to stop hating myself.
Oh Deidre, I feel ya. I'm so glad that you have found your peace and long may it reign. I think so many neurodivergence was misunderstood in our Gen X upbringing and hopefully more and more midlifers will find out their "weirdness" is a super power.
oof that is so true about Gen X (gen X here), off to read that post now - I either missed it before, or forgot (see my latest post!) and need to read it again!
Selfish and lazy and crazy… sigh. These words are deeply ingrained in me over the years as an ADHD woman. Now that I’m finally diagnosed and in peri-menopause, I’m out of F’s to give.
My mother called me selfish my entire childhood. I remember asking her when I was 11 years old if she thought I'd be a good mom someday. She didn't hesitate to tell me I'd a horrible mom because I was so selfish. I left home at 14, thank goodness, but I still hear her voice regularly. Of course I've had more than my share of therapy, but the whole "selfish" bit is still a struggle.
This was so beautifully written. I think I need to read it every morning for the rest of my life. 💖
I was always told I was selfish and lazy. Really I was an introvert who didn’t want what society was handing her. There weren’t words for that in the GenX era other than shy or weird. I forced myself into situations that made me uncomfortable and used alcohol to make me brave. I’ve finally stepped into a relative quiet and turned away from the voices outside my head. It’s a relief to stop hating myself.
Oh Deidre, I feel ya. I'm so glad that you have found your peace and long may it reign. I think so many neurodivergence was misunderstood in our Gen X upbringing and hopefully more and more midlifers will find out their "weirdness" is a super power.
oof that is so true about Gen X (gen X here), off to read that post now - I either missed it before, or forgot (see my latest post!) and need to read it again!
I hope you enjoy the “high-maintenance” post. It’s a pretty personal one for me.
Selfish and lazy and crazy… sigh. These words are deeply ingrained in me over the years as an ADHD woman. Now that I’m finally diagnosed and in peri-menopause, I’m out of F’s to give.
My mother called me selfish my entire childhood. I remember asking her when I was 11 years old if she thought I'd be a good mom someday. She didn't hesitate to tell me I'd a horrible mom because I was so selfish. I left home at 14, thank goodness, but I still hear her voice regularly. Of course I've had more than my share of therapy, but the whole "selfish" bit is still a struggle.
This was so beautifully written. I think I need to read it every morning for the rest of my life. 💖