Is living with an identity crisis a writer’s natural state? by Elaine Langford
My previous blog posts have hinted at my existential dilemma relating to my unexpected autism diagnosis at 58 while waiting for an ADHD assessment. Positively, it explained why I found it impossible to sit on one side of the introvert/extrovert debate. My real conflict was a recent shift of balance due to the lack of energy from an auto-immune form of arthritis. Without that energy, I was unable to satisfy the extroverted ADHD side of myself, which inadvertently curtailed many of my activities that brought me joy. Instead, I was left with my introverted autistic self in a lack-lustre recovery mode. After a long period of flailing myself with the refrain, “Will the real ‘me’ stand up?”, I had a revelation this week. I’ve been dipping into the reflections in ‘40 days with Labyrinths’ by Fay Rowland. In her chapter on Martha and Mary, their two approaches to Jesus’ visit were laid out: Martha chose to run around and make sure everyone else had what they needed to enjoy t...