Hannah's voice comes through so strongly in this post. I really appreciate how she doesn't attempt to "happy ending" her story (in that it's still hard to talk about). I feel like there is a lot of external pressure to add "and now everything is wonderful" to our mental health stories, instead of saying "this is still hard" or "this still makes me sad/mad/etc."
I especially relate to this: "The house I grew up in was pristine. Everything had its place. Everything was always clean. I spent a lot of years trying to do that. But I’m just not wired that way. I finally decided to lower my standards. If somebody comes over and it’s a mess, it’s not like we’re not going to be friends anymore."
thanks, Margaret Ann! That's a good point that sometimes mental health stories don't include the ongoing struggle and how it's not all wrapped up in a bow.
Like Hannah, I also grew up in a pristine home. For so many years, I have tried to make my house look like that, especially when my parents come over. It's taken years to admit that I'm not ever going to have a house as clean as my mom. I have my own style, comfort level and standards. It's not a moral failing - although I always felt like it was. It's been freeing to let go of that pressure. Hannah keeps reminding me of this!
Yes! I totally saw it as a moral failing as well (my lack of cleanliness compared to my parents’ house). But like you said, it really has to do with personalities/styles/etc.
Hannah’s story is soencouraging and enlightening. My husband and 3 of my 4 children have ADHD. (varying types) so thankful for people like Hannah who share theirs stories so others can better understand.
Hannah's voice comes through so strongly in this post. I really appreciate how she doesn't attempt to "happy ending" her story (in that it's still hard to talk about). I feel like there is a lot of external pressure to add "and now everything is wonderful" to our mental health stories, instead of saying "this is still hard" or "this still makes me sad/mad/etc."
I especially relate to this: "The house I grew up in was pristine. Everything had its place. Everything was always clean. I spent a lot of years trying to do that. But I’m just not wired that way. I finally decided to lower my standards. If somebody comes over and it’s a mess, it’s not like we’re not going to be friends anymore."
thanks, Margaret Ann! That's a good point that sometimes mental health stories don't include the ongoing struggle and how it's not all wrapped up in a bow.
Like Hannah, I also grew up in a pristine home. For so many years, I have tried to make my house look like that, especially when my parents come over. It's taken years to admit that I'm not ever going to have a house as clean as my mom. I have my own style, comfort level and standards. It's not a moral failing - although I always felt like it was. It's been freeing to let go of that pressure. Hannah keeps reminding me of this!
Yes! I totally saw it as a moral failing as well (my lack of cleanliness compared to my parents’ house). But like you said, it really has to do with personalities/styles/etc.
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Hannah’s story is soencouraging and enlightening. My husband and 3 of my 4 children have ADHD. (varying types) so thankful for people like Hannah who share theirs stories so others can better understand.
Thanks @Kim McGovern! So you know the experience of ADHD intimately. I’d love to hear more of your story sometime.
Love this. Thanks for sharing Hannah’s story- real and inspiring!
I appreciate Hannah's conclusion "I simply can’t do everything on my own."
Yes, I appreciate Hannah's words too! And her courage to admit her need for help, after spending her life trying to be independent.