Creative Cycles: From Butterflies to Meteorites

Anyone else out there juggling the delightful chaos of ADHD with the need to actually create something meaningful?

Let's talk about cycles.

Over the past few days, I've found myself in what I lovingly call "Butterfly Mode." Picture it: flitting effortlessly from flower to flower, sampling little bits of creative nectar here and there, never quite landing long enough to feel truly satisfied. It's fun at first…so much to explore! But soon enough, frustration sets in.

None of the flowers feel just right, and yet moving on feels impossible.

Then there's the "Calm Duck on Water" mode. To the casual observer, I'm serene, floating effortlessly on a placid pond. But beneath the surface? My little webbed feet are paddling frantically, swirling in circles. This happens when I'm overwhelmed by choices, tasks, ideas, when I know I should fly, but can't yet decide the best direction. Cue the 1000-yard stare into the distant horizon, hoping the right path will reveal itself.

Ah, and let's not forget "Meteorite Mode." This is the fiery burst of hyper-focus, a blaze of creative intensity that seizes hold without mercy. I wake up burning, driven by sheer determination to plunge headlong into a project, heedless of consequences, deadlines, or exhaustion. It's exhilarating, terrifying, and ultimately unsustainable… but oh, the work produced in these meteoric descents!

Of course, the ideal state is the mythical "Balanced Mode," that elusive unicorn of creative productivity where everything magically aligns. Focus, creativity, energy, all perfectly balanced. I’ve glimpsed it a few precious times, but it rarely stays long enough for a selfie.

The truth is, navigating these cycles can be exhausting. Butterfly and duck modes, especially, challenge my patience and self-compassion. It's a real struggle to break free of the inertia, to stop treading water and move forward again.

I know I'm not alone in this. Fellow creatives, how do you navigate your cycles? Any tips for coaxing yourself gently out of duck mode or harnessing the fleeting magic of butterfly days?

Let's share strategies, stories, or simply commiserate together.

And in case you missed it : Part 2 of When the Heavens Turned Away is now live on RoyalRoad! We've entered a new arc filled with mist-covered mountains, mysterious blacksmiths, and deepening emotional stakes. I'm so excited to share what comes next.

Thank you to everyone who's been reading, following, and supporting this story. I truly hope you're enjoying the journey. If you’ve just joined us, now’s the perfect time to catch up because the real descent (or ascent?) begins now.

XueRui – 陳雪瑞 – Void Quill