If you made it to your ripe old age with ADHD, with such a full and happy life, and unmedicated, I would call that a great success story. Moving into "retirement" would be expected to throw you off, and it sounds like you are taking constructive steps to update and readjust. Godspeed to you Rick! BTW, did you remember to close the garage door?
Can you share what you think you experienced in childhood that led you to your successful career and family life? For example, what your parents did to help you succeed, habits you developed as a kid/teen, etc. We have a very energetic child that reminds me of how you described yourself, and would be curious what you’d suggest.
The adjustment from working full time (structure) takes YEARS! I worked full time and sometimes more (3 jobs at one point) while my spouse did grad school, med school, residency. When it was time for him to bring home the bacon and me getting to be home with our first son, the adjustment was overwhelming. I felt unproductive, friendless, perhaps "lost". I'm also a bit scattered and have many balls in the air at once with most in a stage of incompletion, though I do not consider myself ADD or ADHD, just goofy as my dad still calls me. We closed our 1/2 time private practice at the end of 2023, so I am now "free" AKA "retired". Here is what helps me or here is my schedule: MWF to pool @ 0500 to swim and socialize with my swim group home by 0800, TTh ride bike and have coffee with my bike group (home by 1:00). Wed after swim volunteer with "meals on wheels", other activities included this year: learning to shoot a firearm, hosting gatherings at home, sewing, cleaning out kids stuff who have fledged. I have a bunko group and a 5 family group that we meet regularly with.
My point is creating structure and social connections. Have regular coffee groups with like minded, fun regular activities, take classed that have to be attended on a time frame etc. I'm sure you get my drift. (And you probably already know all this) But also be patient and give yourself grace because it is amazing how long it takes to make the adjustment and with your identity as a physician completely disrupted this adjustment is profound. (my 1/2 retired spouse isn't adjusting that well after a year and a half but that's another story)
If you made it to your ripe old age with ADHD, with such a full and happy life, and unmedicated, I would call that a great success story. Moving into "retirement" would be expected to throw you off, and it sounds like you are taking constructive steps to update and readjust. Godspeed to you Rick! BTW, did you remember to close the garage door?
Can you share what you think you experienced in childhood that led you to your successful career and family life? For example, what your parents did to help you succeed, habits you developed as a kid/teen, etc. We have a very energetic child that reminds me of how you described yourself, and would be curious what you’d suggest.
The adjustment from working full time (structure) takes YEARS! I worked full time and sometimes more (3 jobs at one point) while my spouse did grad school, med school, residency. When it was time for him to bring home the bacon and me getting to be home with our first son, the adjustment was overwhelming. I felt unproductive, friendless, perhaps "lost". I'm also a bit scattered and have many balls in the air at once with most in a stage of incompletion, though I do not consider myself ADD or ADHD, just goofy as my dad still calls me. We closed our 1/2 time private practice at the end of 2023, so I am now "free" AKA "retired". Here is what helps me or here is my schedule: MWF to pool @ 0500 to swim and socialize with my swim group home by 0800, TTh ride bike and have coffee with my bike group (home by 1:00). Wed after swim volunteer with "meals on wheels", other activities included this year: learning to shoot a firearm, hosting gatherings at home, sewing, cleaning out kids stuff who have fledged. I have a bunko group and a 5 family group that we meet regularly with.
My point is creating structure and social connections. Have regular coffee groups with like minded, fun regular activities, take classed that have to be attended on a time frame etc. I'm sure you get my drift. (And you probably already know all this) But also be patient and give yourself grace because it is amazing how long it takes to make the adjustment and with your identity as a physician completely disrupted this adjustment is profound. (my 1/2 retired spouse isn't adjusting that well after a year and a half but that's another story)