impulsivity epitome of incomprehensibility A different -ivity, this, but I was thinking of the part in the "hypersensitivity" blathe where ovenbird mentioned her oldest child taking risks to break up the monotony of everyday life...I'm not saying it well, but it was something similar. (To ovenbird, waves of encouragement even though this was a while ago, because that sounds generally stressful.) Anyway! I started thinking, "Hmm, that was also me as a kid - doing impulsive and sometimes risky things - though maybe for different reasons." E.g., I didn't climb swing sets or trees because I was bored of the ground, as far as I remember. It was more that I was curious and liked the sensation of climbing. The threads that connect then and now suggest that impulsivity doesn't always go away, though I will say (as reassurance!) that my latest regretted impulse was a) signing up to audition for another musical I had no time for rather than b) jumping out of a tree INTO A HAMMOCK which was me at 13 and, yes, a tad stupid. Just before this, I was holding onto a branch two feet from the ground. The idea of falling gently into a cradle of spun string just *felt* right. My imagination was good! It was just physics that was against me. The hammock tipped me sideways in short order, slamming my left shoulder against the ground. Realization came later. The first sensation was pain. I screamed "bloody murder" - or was it "blue murder"? Something that made Mom come running, whichever expression she used. My shoulder was sprained, but nothing broken. Oh yes, and all this happened in the backyard of our haircutter. (So I can be glad my more recent impulsivity only led to a mildly embarrassed "Sorry, I can't do this after all" instead of three weeks of being unable to lift my left arm above my head.) 260311 ... e_o_i edit: the blathe I meant to refer back to was "hypersensitive" (and I hope not upset with me noun-izing its adjectivity) 260311 ... ovenbird I really appreciate your perspectives on all of this! My son’s impulsivity has definitely become less intense as he’s gotten older, but I do worry about him as he enters his teenage years and gains access to dangerous substances. So far the worst he’s ingested is an insanely caffeinated energy drink, but it’s scary. I hope that he’ll go the same direction and limit impulsiveness to something like theatrical pursuits! In any event, I enjoy reading about your experiences. I think so many of us are dealing with neurodiversity and mental health challenges and it feels hopeful to witness how other people are adapting and coping. 260312 what's it to you? who go blather from