I've been coming to this practice a little differently. The practice itself is the reward. It is gratifying, and sustaining, and I'm trusting that I can even make something from mistakes. It's becoming very satisfying and I look forward to doing it, and creating something syrprising each day
For various reasons I have not been in my art studio for 2 weeks. I was already behind because I have learned that I work better in batches on my mini mosaics rather than daily. And I am OK with completing 100 in 100 days, even if I have to pull a few all-nighters to get there (because I always say, if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done!) But yesterday I did a pop up art demo at the Gallery I am part of. I offered people the chance to come down and talk design process. I gave them some creative control: they could pick a palette or a material and I would work on a mini mosaic right in front of them. I went an hour longer than planned. They all got their name in a drawing to win win their choice if the 100 at the end of the 100 days. I got 6 made and generated a lot of interest in my social posts which will be good when I want to frame and display them for sale. Some even wanted to make their own in a class, which is another opportunity!
Making the creating a communal act was a great reward and a spur for me!
That communal energy does so much, Erin! And it must have felt so special and energizing. I have a post about inviting in others to our practice later this week and am thrilled to hear how you have implemented it!
Rewards is something that does not really work for us with ADHD. Mostly because our Dopamine center is not working like others.
So having a bit of chocolate as a reward might work few times, but then we don't get that dopamine hit anymore and don't se a point in doing the project at all.
Its super annoying and hard. But every idea for a reward is golden. Who knows one day I will find that will work forever! 😊
Super interesting and great perspective Jezz, thank you for sharing it! Is it that the dopamine receptors get desensitized more quickly? Does changing up the specific reward or ritual help?
Its more like we don't have a regulation of it. Same with other "feel good hormones". We need a endless loop of dopamine hits. And if we don't, we don't do it. Like basic stuff, like cleaning.
So in order for a reward to work, we need to change it very often. So we don't get bored.
(or eat medicine that helps with all these chemicals in our brain)
Hope I explained good enough, I recenlty learned this myself after many years of having it 😊
Yes that absolutely makes sense! Would love to hear your take as the week rolls on and if it sparks any new possibilities, or if it needs to be reworked for more inclusivity. Some of the reward strategies are what you’d traditionally think of as rewards, others less so!
I've been coming to this practice a little differently. The practice itself is the reward. It is gratifying, and sustaining, and I'm trusting that I can even make something from mistakes. It's becoming very satisfying and I look forward to doing it, and creating something syrprising each day
*surprising
That is so wonderful to hear 🫶 Sounds like a very fulfilling practice!
Great suggestions! I went on a hike today now that the weather is warming up, and it really felt like a huge reward.
Spring is so close! The hike must have been so refreshing 🌳
For various reasons I have not been in my art studio for 2 weeks. I was already behind because I have learned that I work better in batches on my mini mosaics rather than daily. And I am OK with completing 100 in 100 days, even if I have to pull a few all-nighters to get there (because I always say, if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done!) But yesterday I did a pop up art demo at the Gallery I am part of. I offered people the chance to come down and talk design process. I gave them some creative control: they could pick a palette or a material and I would work on a mini mosaic right in front of them. I went an hour longer than planned. They all got their name in a drawing to win win their choice if the 100 at the end of the 100 days. I got 6 made and generated a lot of interest in my social posts which will be good when I want to frame and display them for sale. Some even wanted to make their own in a class, which is another opportunity!
Making the creating a communal act was a great reward and a spur for me!
That communal energy does so much, Erin! And it must have felt so special and energizing. I have a post about inviting in others to our practice later this week and am thrilled to hear how you have implemented it!
Rewards is something that does not really work for us with ADHD. Mostly because our Dopamine center is not working like others.
So having a bit of chocolate as a reward might work few times, but then we don't get that dopamine hit anymore and don't se a point in doing the project at all.
Its super annoying and hard. But every idea for a reward is golden. Who knows one day I will find that will work forever! 😊
Super interesting and great perspective Jezz, thank you for sharing it! Is it that the dopamine receptors get desensitized more quickly? Does changing up the specific reward or ritual help?
Its more like we don't have a regulation of it. Same with other "feel good hormones". We need a endless loop of dopamine hits. And if we don't, we don't do it. Like basic stuff, like cleaning.
So in order for a reward to work, we need to change it very often. So we don't get bored.
(or eat medicine that helps with all these chemicals in our brain)
Hope I explained good enough, I recenlty learned this myself after many years of having it 😊
Yes that absolutely makes sense! Would love to hear your take as the week rolls on and if it sparks any new possibilities, or if it needs to be reworked for more inclusivity. Some of the reward strategies are what you’d traditionally think of as rewards, others less so!
This illustration of resistance/fear/doubt is everything 🙌