Dopamine Deficiency is a butt, will art help?

[berryfairyghost]

It has been an uphill battle getting into the habit of cooking.

One way my AuDHD affects me personally is by adding to the psychological tangle that is my relationship with discipline and self-management. It has been difficult for me to develop habits without relying on other people’s structures in adulthood.

As such, I’m constantly trying to test myself as I try to figure out what internal structures I can build to help my brain carry on with task-work.

And I suppose the search for self-management tools is extra desperate as I fight through a lapse of un-medication.

But medication or not, I think part of having ADHD is understanding that you will always be evolving and always on the search for things that can externally motivate your INCU-based nervous system.

Cooking!

So, I want to develop the habit of *enjoying cooking at home.* It is good for the wallet, it is good for the environment, it is good for the health, it is a good skill to have.

Logically this is something I WANT to do.

But my dopamine receptors... Where are they...?

Maybe prettifying the area a bit can help with motivation? As much as budget permits?

Scrolling down Pinterest and Caroline Winkler-pilled, it occurred to me:

"Wait, I like painting. I can make a painting for me. And it’s not a painting that I would have to sell. It would be making a painting.. For myself??? Not for a project to fit my'brand' / 'style' / aesthetic'?? Not even for a gift??? But for me to hang in my own home???"

Wow. ~the concept~ was oddly hard to grasp. All together now:

Thanks for the ruining hobbies, Capitalism

Maybe making personal stuff like that might help me break the art block curses I so often contract.

I’m thinking something Shire-y. Or maybe Delicious in Dungeon!

Or maybe just cute fruit shapes!?

Omg the possibilities are endless!

Well, as endless as my skill level determines xD

Oh, what fun to think about.

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Comments

[zenigotchas]

I do not have AuDHD but one of my online frens talks about having it and I have to say it seems like it's a tough thing to have to tackle things with! It must be very frustrating trying to find structures that make you feel happy to do them and not overwhelmed.

The idea to theme the food around personal interests sounds like a wonderful plan!

[liminalovertea]

One of my cheats for getting IRL stuff done is listening to and/or watching content associated with my interests while doing the required thing.

When I used to work corporate, my other spectrum-surfing coworkers and I would sneak a Let's Play video into the corner of our PC screens while working, and it would keep us intermittently entertained while we would do 8 hours of otherwise mind-numbing work. 💀💻 I did well at that job, but I eventually burned out, and then layoffs happened that forced me to take a break.

But I use what I learned from that to get things done at home and in my personal endeavors these days.

[haunted_cherries]

Oh don’t even GET ME STARTED on capitalism and “hustle culture” trying to ruin everything we want to enjoy for fun b/c between scalpers and overconsumption, it becomes so DRAINING after a while orz

That aside, good luck on the cooking adventure!! Being able to cook your own meals in the comfort of your own home is ALWAYS a plus!! 🎉

[thatjustwontbreak]

Oh my gosh YES make a painting for yourself. Art will always help.

Also, what about trying out making bento boxes? I feel like it could align with your aesthetic and also provide multiple opportunities to be creative/have novelty.

[berryfairyghost]

Thanks for the creative cheer and the suggestion!

After you mentioned it, I dug around my old pinterest because I've saved a few bento box setups. It's such a great idea to bring it up as a possible motivator. I'll be thinking about the possibilities. Thanks again!

[javert]

Yes, you should make a painting!! We actually purchased a heart-shaped canvas at the hobby store nearby for me to paint again. I haven't done it yet, but maybe we can incentivize each other, lol.

I feel you re: needing things to be "productive". It's so bad especially when you're freelancing and every minute your brain is like "we should be WORKING" x_x Oh! I also wanted to second the bento box suggestion! This is also something I keep meaning to get into... I even designed a kyaraben once and never ended up making it... Maybe this year I'll kick myself into gears...

Good luck!

[berryfairyghost]

omg Yes yes yeeees! A heart painting! How fun! Have you thought about what you might like to paint on it?

I was doing some brainstorming about what I'd like to hang up in our kitchen, and one of the options I like is making a hobbit-hole window, so I'm taking into consideration a circular canvas.

when you're freelancing and every minute your brain is like "we should be WORKING" x_x
Freaking!! MOOD!! Monetizing my art has allowed me to grow and learn about a lot of things. But at the same time, it contributed to a massive burnout I'm still kind of in recovery for! Now I'm just trying to heal my relationship with making stuff. That's one of the reasons I'm here actually! haha~ I'm allowing myself to remember how it feels to make things for fun without thinking about social media trends or what could vibe with a client/audience.

Kyarabennn! Those are the bentos that inspire the most! I hadn't even thought about the existence of the design-draft stage xD but it makes sense. I might join you in that step!

I'm cheering us on very excitedly!

[javert]

Yes! I was thinking of painting the OTP, as they occupy most of my brainspace, lol. It would be fun to hang it up on the wall in my little corner, too... I need to figure out the right pose and composition first though. And a good set up to get to painting haha.

I feel like I may have fallen back hard into blogging lately for that very same reason.... It's nice to just ramble and not care that it might be pushing my potential "audience" away. Even though most of the people who follow me I'm sure wouldn't mind... It just feels cozier to do it somewhere where I know less people will see it.

If you do end up going the kyaraben route I'd love to see :D!