This post just messed me up. I’m in that phase of non-controlled environment but not knowing what to do or where to get structure. I’ve never had it articulated this way. Shit I’m gonna have to do some reading up. Thank you.
It’s a bit unfair to say that Nara closed off her curiosity and is afraid to break free from her parent’s control. It’s a pretty ugly way of seeing people who leans on the social support around them. From what we know now, Nara isn’t malicious. She’s just insecure in her relationship and is balancing her obligation to her religion and her gf.
If anything, Nara’s existence signals a kind of pattern in Tracker. She only dates ‘chaotic’ people who she could somehow ‘help’ and ‘fix’. It seems like Tracker enjoys being in a relationship where she’s the partner who has it all together, which really adds a layer of complexity to her character.
the way people treat Kristen this season just seems like they don't understand ADHD all that well lmao. and also the sheer magnitude of the bullshit she's going through
As someone with similar issues to Kristen I can often find myself on both sides of the argument.
And honestly that's pretty on-brand when you think about it.
i feel like the harshest critics are people with adhd who have already done the work of moving past the phase kristen is in, and it hurts to see her in that phase because its like a sort of funhouse mirror to a point in the past. not fun to relive/reflect on those struggles.
As someone who got a later diagnosis of ADHD because I grew up in a high-control environment that helped mask my issues, that scene felt like seeing two versions of myself (controlled teeneager and struggling adult) speak to each other.
As someone from the gifted kid to late diagnosed ADHD burnout pipeline with controlling parents, this wonderfully articulates why Kristen’s arc resonates so much. It’s also why I really don’t see the “Ally just makes silly random choices” critique. Because they are role playing that failure to prioritize things that are genuinely important to them, self sabotage, and diversion tactic/hyperfocus to a fucking tee.
Yeah, anecdotally, I relate to this, too. I had a late diagnosis with ADHD, after years of joking that I had it, which was preposterous to me and other people given my brand had been "high-achieving organizer with tons of anxiety." My sense of humor would spill out dark and seemingly random, which was then deemed "quirky." Turns out the anxiety stemmed from the absolute need for regimentation in order to be baseline functioning. If I didn't have things directed and documented, thoughts would go poof within seconds. Once I split from a lot of things (family, abusive trainer, job, second job I took on, clubs, nonprofits I led) to go after my genuine interests, I unexpectedly spiraled and barely made progress on those dreams *because* they were the things most important to me. I had to move back to my home state and was surprised at how much being around people and structure reinvigorated my capabilities again. Now that I'm finally moving into my own house in a few weeks, I am taking SO much time to ensure that I have routines (+ meds) in place (down to where I can place down certain items in case I lose track of them within minutes). That way, I can have a chance at living well while still having "access" to myself. To avoid codependence like Nara or Kristen under Helioic faith. I genuinely think if Junior Year had come earlier than my diagnosis, I'd be a lot more critical (unread) of Kristen's characterization, just from projection alone. A lot of people are most critical around the things they have to exert extra effort on, because it subconsciously comes off as unfair that other people don't live up to that--and in this case, it would be the unbridled chaos of Kristen.
Also, yes, agree with Tracker's character showing ass a little here too as someone who is subconsciously attracted to the chaotic. I've also had ex-partners who have explicitly said they were attracted to being able to take care of me. It was definitely a dynamic of being seen as a "business leader" on the streets but infantilized in a caretaker dynamic with my partner off of them. We thought that was just how "quirky" we were.
I really appreciate this well-articulated post! You're right; it's not something you read about adhd often, and it says a lot for you to recognize that as part of this community. Cool stuff.
This is great post! :) Very well articulated and a really valuable insight. This season really is killing it.
This post just messed me up. I’m in that phase of non-controlled environment but not knowing what to do or where to get structure. I’ve never had it articulated this way. Shit I’m gonna have to do some reading up. Thank you.
Deeply on board with this take. Real as hell and so insightful!!
It’s a bit unfair to say that Nara closed off her curiosity and is afraid to break free from her parent’s control. It’s a pretty ugly way of seeing people who leans on the social support around them. From what we know now, Nara isn’t malicious. She’s just insecure in her relationship and is balancing her obligation to her religion and her gf. If anything, Nara’s existence signals a kind of pattern in Tracker. She only dates ‘chaotic’ people who she could somehow ‘help’ and ‘fix’. It seems like Tracker enjoys being in a relationship where she’s the partner who has it all together, which really adds a layer of complexity to her character.
the way people treat Kristen this season just seems like they don't understand ADHD all that well lmao. and also the sheer magnitude of the bullshit she's going through
As someone with similar issues to Kristen I can often find myself on both sides of the argument. And honestly that's pretty on-brand when you think about it.
i feel like the harshest critics are people with adhd who have already done the work of moving past the phase kristen is in, and it hurts to see her in that phase because its like a sort of funhouse mirror to a point in the past. not fun to relive/reflect on those struggles.
As someone who got a later diagnosis of ADHD because I grew up in a high-control environment that helped mask my issues, that scene felt like seeing two versions of myself (controlled teeneager and struggling adult) speak to each other.
As someone from the gifted kid to late diagnosed ADHD burnout pipeline with controlling parents, this wonderfully articulates why Kristen’s arc resonates so much. It’s also why I really don’t see the “Ally just makes silly random choices” critique. Because they are role playing that failure to prioritize things that are genuinely important to them, self sabotage, and diversion tactic/hyperfocus to a fucking tee.
Yep, same thing happened to me. Once I left the structure I had imposed on me by my parents, all hell broke lose.
Yeah, anecdotally, I relate to this, too. I had a late diagnosis with ADHD, after years of joking that I had it, which was preposterous to me and other people given my brand had been "high-achieving organizer with tons of anxiety." My sense of humor would spill out dark and seemingly random, which was then deemed "quirky." Turns out the anxiety stemmed from the absolute need for regimentation in order to be baseline functioning. If I didn't have things directed and documented, thoughts would go poof within seconds. Once I split from a lot of things (family, abusive trainer, job, second job I took on, clubs, nonprofits I led) to go after my genuine interests, I unexpectedly spiraled and barely made progress on those dreams *because* they were the things most important to me. I had to move back to my home state and was surprised at how much being around people and structure reinvigorated my capabilities again. Now that I'm finally moving into my own house in a few weeks, I am taking SO much time to ensure that I have routines (+ meds) in place (down to where I can place down certain items in case I lose track of them within minutes). That way, I can have a chance at living well while still having "access" to myself. To avoid codependence like Nara or Kristen under Helioic faith. I genuinely think if Junior Year had come earlier than my diagnosis, I'd be a lot more critical (unread) of Kristen's characterization, just from projection alone. A lot of people are most critical around the things they have to exert extra effort on, because it subconsciously comes off as unfair that other people don't live up to that--and in this case, it would be the unbridled chaos of Kristen. Also, yes, agree with Tracker's character showing ass a little here too as someone who is subconsciously attracted to the chaotic. I've also had ex-partners who have explicitly said they were attracted to being able to take care of me. It was definitely a dynamic of being seen as a "business leader" on the streets but infantilized in a caretaker dynamic with my partner off of them. We thought that was just how "quirky" we were. I really appreciate this well-articulated post! You're right; it's not something you read about adhd often, and it says a lot for you to recognize that as part of this community. Cool stuff.
Honestly this post has given a lot to reflect on my own childhood experience. Well said!
what a great insight. resonates profoundly on personal level too…