"Tiny Experiments" and Life's Purpose

Hey y'all. Welp. It's been almost 2 months since my last (and first) blog post.

Alas, I remind myself that the gift of this little blog is I control it. I can post when it works best for me. Anywho, now to the topic at hand!

I started reading a book called "Tiny Experiments" by Anne-Laure Le Cunff. For those who may not know, the premise (and tagline) of the book is "How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World". I kept seeing it on my FYP page and I noted it in my journal for future me. I also noticed a pattern of ADHD content creators recommending it. When I got the book, I flipped through it and actually started with chapters 5, 10, and 11. (I know, I know). But never fear, I went back to the beginning and just finished chapters 1 and 2.

I see why this book seems to resonate with ADHD peeps. For context, I was diagnosed with ADHD at 36 years old. Being diagnosed, learning about ADHD, self-reflection, and therapy, all dramatically increased my self-compassion for little Christina and adult me. But I've spent my life believing my ADHD traits were flaws that needed to be fixed. I needed to conform to the neurotypical expectations.

In chapter 2 "Escaping the Tyranny of Purpose", the author challenges the way most of us think about our purpose in life. Here are some quotes from the chapter that resonated with me:

We each within us have unlimited possibilities; purpose is therefore never a singular discovery. Life is a continuous opportunity.

When we fixate on finding one singular purpose, we rule out the side quests that help us grow the most. Your life doesn't need to follow predictable acts and arcs.

The educator and political leader John W. Gardner wrote, "As we mature we progressively narrow the scope and variety of our lives. Of all the interests we might pursue, we settle on a few. Of all the people with whom we might associate, we select a small number. We become caught in a web of fixed relationships. We develop set of ways of doing things."

Idk about you, but I hear a theme of change and curiosity being recommended and encouraged. Maybe you're reading this and thinking "ummm duh, obviously these are positive things". But this elder millennial gal did not have that lived experience for a variety of reasons.

My favorite quote is the 2nd one mentioning side quests. If you have ADHD or know anyone with ADHD, you are probably familiar with side quests, rabbit holes, deep dives, and changing hobbies/interests. (Of course as with anything, it is possible these could become problematic.) However, I would say the common societal consensus is that these things are "distracting" and a way to procrastinate from our goals and life's purpose.

This book is offering a completely different take. It shares data, human stories, and research to the contrary. Keep in mind, this is not a book about ADHD. In what I've read so far it has not even been mentioned. Yet the author uses words that describe the natural state of the neurodiverse brain as the way challenge the typical linear thinking about purpose and goals! 🤯 Words such as passion, curiosity, experimentation, change, side quests, exploration, non-conformity, adventure and creativity.

I know many people with ADHD are regularly told in some way shape or form that they are too much. This book encourages you to embrace the parts of you that capitalism and 'boss babe" mentality say are a waste of time.

As someone with ADHD this message warms my heart....and heals part of it too. 🥰

Are there side quests you are second guessing? Do you have ideas you want to explore? I'll leave us with this Amelia Earhart quote: "The most difficult thing is the decision to act".