Overwhelm

In a recent study on ADHD, I learned about the metaphor of the "River of Fish." The metaphor is to be used when you are stuck in overwhelm; specifically stuck with too many ideas and no direction to go. This causes many of us with ADHD to become overwhelmed and we cannot move forward.

The River of Fish metaphor reminds us that there are endless fish in the river or "ideas" to choose from*. They will always be there. We can pull a few fish at a time to nourish us and come back later for more. This helps visualize having something in front of us to work on while knowing that we can always go back to the stream for more. It is to help take the pressure off of us when we cannot make a decision to get started. Because with too many choices, sometimes we do not make a choice at all.

Next time you are stuck with indecision, think of all the fish in the river - always there to present new and exciting ideas. But for now, take a few and see where that leads you.

*Adapted from ADDCA Simply ADHD Course.