By: Cindy North, CALC

April 15, 2021

Labels- What really happens when a label is applied to someone? Are you labeled, “naughty”, “crazy”, “shy”? Labeling can be incredibly detrimental. Often a label becomes something we carry as if it is fact. “If they say that is what I am well then that is what I must be.” Maybe they start doing and being more of what the label means for others believing it must be true because they said it. What does it really mean when we say, “You are such a chicken!”? Are you scared or are you feathered differently, lay colored eggs or giving to others? What lens are you seeing through- a positive lens or negative one?

Debunking a label comes with great courage, deeper thought, and ownership. Maybe the label is not as they define it to be at all? Think about it. What does it mean to be a chicken? What is a chicken even like? My chickens on the farm are curious, giving, predictable. If they run from danger, they seem smart to me. The label holds a predefined meaning that may not be true at all.

But Naming “it” can be freeing. Ownership of what is real for you is honoring your makeup. If you struggle with the label of “naughty”. Could it really be more about behavior choices? You are not naughty you made a poor choice. People say you are “crazy.” Maybe you have ideas no one else is wired to create. What if you harness that creativity? Write a book, sell a screen play, invent, or cure the impossible. Maybe, you are told you are “shy”. Maybe you need time to observe and take a read of the room before interacting with others. Often someone who is “shy” is also the person who is most observant and able to take it all in. Sometimes this person is the one everyone waits to listen to because when they talk, they have something important to say.

So, you are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). You are told you are hyper or a daydreamer or maybe both- labels of your ADHD symptoms. Hyper means you have excess energy. Often this can lead to high drive and productivity when you have high interest. Channel this energy to the good. Maybe you are told you are a “daydreamer-get out of your head.” Maybe you are creative and inventive. What if when channeled you create the next best thing. ADHD symptoms can be a struggle. The amazing ADHD brain is not limited. You can learn coping skills and employ helpful strategies to be at your best. Naming yourself, ADHD, is embracing your brain wiring. As an ADHDer, you are wired differently. You are not worse or better as a whole than the next person, simply different. Naming “it” is owning “it”. Parents often avoid naming it for their child afraid of something I call the Label Affect. If parents choose to educate and develop the skills their child needs their child will harness their full potential to soar. Ignoring the symptoms only makes living in wellness difficult or impossible. No, not everyone will be capable of embracing or understanding ADHD brain wiring. ADHD is different. That is okay. When you are working to do your best, your best in good enough.

Living in today’s world, as a community, we are not as open to different as we once were maybe trying to be. We are moving more towards wanting all to be the same and we have become polarized. I hope to create a space for you to be open to yourself. Being different provides opportunity to create and re-invent yourself past your label for your greater good. Opportunity is what we want for all people. ADHD brain power holds a superpower for outside-the-box thinking and creation and energy. If you are carrying a label look under it and find out what it really means. Sometimes, it is not what it appears to be at all. If you label others challenge yourself to look deeper and beyond. Naming it is owning who you were created to be- creative, resourceful, and whole.

ADHDer’s with coping skills, tools and strategies can live life fully offering insight others might not see or maybe miss completely. You become what you practice doing. The human mind is incredibly capable of evolving. Go on and be your best you.