There comes a point where you start to wonder: are the connections we make—the friendships we build—really worth the mental burden they bring?

Today, I’m starting yet another new medication. This time, it’s a non-stimulant ADHD med, after my spectacularly awful experience with Elvanse. And it’s got me thinking.
Are we all just trying to get through the day with as little hassle as possible? Dodging conflict, avoiding chaos, and steering clear of any big, end-of-level bosses that could completely derail us?

For me, medication feels like a power-up in a video game. It gives you a temporary boost—but when you restart the level, the swinging bridge covered in spikes is still there waiting. And depending on which character you’re playing, that power-up does something different. For some, it makes things foggy or slow. For others, it brings calm, clarity, or precious focus.

Right now, life feels a lot like one of those confusing game maps where you’re not sure what the objective is. I don’t know which direction I’m meant to go. I’m not even sure who’s on my side.

And trying to figure all that out while dealing with the effects of this new “power-up”? It’s a lot. It’s heavy.

But maybe, just maybe, sharing it out loud is how we start finding our way through the level—together.

Note: I wrote this post but got ChatGPT to edit it for me.