The Secret to My Happy Life

Felt introspective, might delete later

Just Chris/kitoypoy here, no dry Instructor or funny orc sergeant this time. Here's the truth of my world.

I've been living in Wizard's Peak since I was 12 years old and no matter where life has brought me, I've always returned to it. It changes as I change. My life has been pretty chaotic, but has recently gotten disturbingly stable. The same has happened in the World of Wizard's Peak.

For me, the Concordance I've been writing about is really me getting my shit together. Taking the disparate parts of myself and locking them around the chaos of my personal Kirinal Pit.

Me & D&D

As I said, I've been working on this world since I was a kid in the 80's during the full on "Satanic Panic" years. My grandmother and mom HATED it. They hated all the stuff I liked, comics, fantasy sci-fis, RPGs. They didn't see the point in it and wanted me to become a doctor or a nurse or any of the officially approved Asian-American jobs. I ended up becoming... nothing. I was good at everything, a horrific procrastinator frozen by "maybes", and incredible at putting in a last-minute panic rush to get it done.

So I bounced around from job to job. I was "good" at everything except life and relationships. I had no idea how to focus on anything. I watched everyone around me settle down into "the pattern": college, partner, job, kids, success. I didn't understand how they did it.

But I was good at making things up. I could write (when I could focus). I could (and was willing to) run a game of D&D. So I always bought the books. I always did my little bit of worldbuilding in journals and on half-assed websites. But it was there for me and it's still here for me.

My Life Story, So Far

So I got married, had a kid, lost my job, and got divorced. I had a kid, got married, got a job, had a kid, started my own business, and got divorced. I stopped having kids.

Here's the important bit. I figured out that I've had undiagnosed ADHD. I figured out how to manage my personal brain chemistry. I got counseling.

Life is complicated, but I got a job and kept it. I got a relationship, got it stable, and got married.

It took me longer than it "should have", but it finally happened. My life got better. I got better. (You can get better too!)

And Here's the Last Bit

The most important thing that I figured out is that my ADHD makes it so that if I can't see it, it doesn't exist. That includes friends, family, things. I keep social media so that I can "see" my friends and family. I got rid of drawers and replaced them with shelves so I can see my things. My life is so much better.

I got World Anvil so that I can see my world! And it's never been better! Go grab YOUR hammer, and go world build!

Summer Camp 2023 Hub
Generic article | Nov 16, 2024

My Hub for Summer Camp 2023!

Chris with Dragon Magazine #71 in the same spot in 1983 and 2023 by Chris L


Cover image: Summer Camp 2023 Generic Header by Chris L

Comments

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Aug 1, 2023 12:49 by Keon Croucher

Please do not delete later, unless having it up makes you uncomfortable of course. <3 this is amazing. Between a hypermetabolic condition and ADHD I relate to this so much and understand it, and its a hell of a story, and is a deep and personal touch on your world to boot. Not only that its kinda a wonderful message at the end, one I think is super good to have out in the world and important to be in the universe. Thank you for sharing <3

Keon Croucher, Chronicler of the Age of Revitalization
Aug 3, 2023 02:56 by Chris L

Thank you for reading it and I may keep it up! It took a lot to even admit to myself that I'm not neurotypical, but my life has gone into easy mode once I accepted it!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Aug 3, 2023 02:50 by Deleyna Marr

This is so powerfully encouraging for others. Thank you for sharing it!

Deleyna
Aug 3, 2023 02:56 by Chris L

Thanks for reading it!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Aug 3, 2023 19:37 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

This is really great and inspiring. Thank you for sharing. <3

Emy x
Explore Etrea | WorldEmber
Aug 4, 2023 00:48 by Chris L

Thank you for reading and commenting!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Aug 3, 2023 22:17 by Kat Chiron

Inspiring! Thank you for sharing your personal reflections <3

⛱️See my Summer Camp Homework 2024   ⚒️Watch me build Vyrvania: City of Secrets   ✍️Visit my Author page
Aug 4, 2023 00:48 by Chris L

Thank you!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Aug 6, 2023 06:53 by Tim Day

Thank you for writing this and sharing it with us too (as well as all your fantastic world building of course). You're not alone with the many diverse versions of this life struggle, and sharing it helps others realise that too. My deepest gratitude... and a celebratory hooray for the last seems appropriate too.

Aug 6, 2023 16:25 by Chris L

Thank you!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Aug 16, 2023 23:40 by Marjorie Ariel

This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you.   PS. You made me cry (in a good way)   PPS. I really like the picture!

Aug 17, 2023 00:26 by Chris L

Thank you for reading it! I'm glad that I made you feel something good!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Aug 19, 2023 19:31 by Melissa

"The Last Bit" hit home for me. As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD late in life, the idea of someone not thinking about people or things unless he can see them regularly makes sense. In a similar way, I don't pay attention to my own physical well-being. I often don't notice that I'm overheated, dehydrated, nauseated, dizzy or having other problems until someone else asks me how I am feeling. Different, but kinda the same. I feel that we can all gain some empathy and perspective when we share mental health awareness.

Aug 19, 2023 21:06 by Chris L

Thanks for reading my article and including it in your challenge list. I'm glad it has helped you!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Aug 20, 2023 00:52 by E. Christopher Clark

I love this and, like others, hope you'll keep it up. That last bit in particular made me think about my own ADHD and whether shelves would be better for me than drawers.

Check out my progress on WorldEmber 2024
Aug 20, 2023 01:46 by Chris L

It's seriously life changing! I don't put things in drawers if I'm ever going to need it. All shelves for me!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Aug 21, 2023 20:50 by Alex the Creatrix

I can really relate to your life experience as I am also neurodivergent and didn't find out until I was an adult, and I think it's very inspiring and brave of you to tell your story like this. I also love the way Wizard's Peak reflects the changes in your life.

Alex the Creatrix Star Witch & Cosmic Ambassador to the Galaxy of Kantostara
Aug 21, 2023 21:03 by Chris L

Thank you! I'm glad it's helping people!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Sep 2, 2023 02:41 by Tlcassis Polgara | Arrhynsia

I really, really like this article and agree if you can bear to have it up, please do! I loved getting to know you better. Thank you for sharing this gift of wisdom:   "It took me longer than it "should have", but it finally happened. My life got better. I got better. (You can get better too!)

Follow my worlds: Arrhynsia and Compendium and check out my author website at tlcassis.com to see my latest work!
Sep 2, 2023 02:52 by Chris L

Reply! A lot of people have said that this article has helped them, so I'm going to leave it up! Thanks for your comments and I'm glad you got something from it.


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

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