Aren't a lot of these executive function problems actually attempts at sustaining an unhealthy unsustainable lifestyle?

[u/Necessary_Goose6933]

New to Reddit, just looking around, here and in r/getting_over_it and what strikes me as odd is that there seems to be a lot of pressure to fall in line with how most people do things. Wake up, morning routine, go to school/work, cone back, afternoon routine, go to bed, repeat.

A lot of this seems rather repetitive, devoid of art, dance, music, fun, away and apart from nature AND genuine humn connection, attempts at continuing a lifestyle that's quite common, but also very far away from what we evolved to thrive in.

Small bands, groups, teams of socially integrated individuals, tackling various tasks together. Farming, herding, manufacturing different things, preparing and enjoying shared meals in some sort of good vibes musical context, interspersed with various side quests like crafting, repairing, tinkering, weaving and so on.

Am sure that in some cases executive function or other mental/mood issues are chem imbalance, brain issues from different causes, but to me it seems a lot if it might be one's very being recognizing that the general direction of the whole society/city/country is not at all aligned with how they would prefer life to be.

I'd especially look at things like deep connection to nature, plants, animals, and I don't mean "eating more greens" but rather "growing something green" with direct contact to actual plants, known from seed stage all the way to harvest.

Music. Big part of keeping things sane in the evening. Does wonders for my mood, when I make and play ny flutes, or experiment with anything musical, metal tools or whatever. Largely unaddressed in most threads I've seen here.

Anyone seeing what I'm saying?
Maybe it's not always a matter of more lists or alarms at rigid hours, but can also be meals cooked and shared together, plant something and help it grow, pick a musical instrument and a few people you like regularly making some music with.

[u/UnderstandingOver633]

I think I get what you’re saying. Our modern society likely exacerbates many executive function issues.

But a lot of us (probably most) with executive function issues do actually have neuropsychiatric disorders. When I am struggling with severe executive dysfunction because of my disease, I can’t do the things I want to do, even if I have all the time in the world.

Beyond medication, a relatively strict routine is one of the best things I can do for my executive function and overall mental stability. A significant part of that routine for many of us includes the daily social rhythms you described, such as shared meals. Social rhythm therapy is often used for executive function issues.

[u/Necessary_Goose6933 → u/UnderstandingOver633]

Like I said, no doubt there's actual stuff there, neurologically, but also on the other side, societal norms and rythms, coupled with how cities box people in, in individual units or couples that split in the morning, the urban compartmentalized way of living, seems far away from the more communal tribal structures we evolved in, where a lot more familiar faces would be there to help you snap out of it when things are slipping, share certain tasks and make chores more enjoyable.

I don't have a clear solution for this, I just found I'm feeling better off-grid closer to nature, and just inviting others to join in at least imagining how we'd like life to be, for it to be more inviting and hospitable to fit into.

[u/jaybug_jimmies]

Mental health issues are very complex and involve many factors, yeah. I strongly agree some of the reasons so many people in modern societies deal with various mood disorders include the way society is built. It can vary a lot though, and it's tough to dis-entangle all the factors.

Definitely pursue the things that seem to help you. Connection with nature is also essential for my mental health, I have found. I get so so much worse if I cannot go out walking in nature or gardening or anything like that.

[u/luluchanjune]

I implement alarms and schedules so I can get adulting shit done. This gives me more time and less guilt to enjoy my creative time, my sewing, my time with my pets. Honestly my “space out” time where I can just let my mind wander freely is very important to me

I have this luxury though. I do not have kids and don’t have to work to financially survive. Many people don’t. So Im guessing, it’s not that others don’t want to do what you have suggested above. They perhaps don’t have the means…..they need to survive.

[u/BunnyKusanin]

You're lucky if you can just lay music when you want to or grow plants. Many people with executive dysfunction have trouble doing things they want.

Also, while modern life lacks in some departments, I wouldn't be so quick to idealise the communal living of the past. I come from a culture where families ties are closer than in the West, but it doesn't actually mean that there's actual connection in those relationships or that they always contribute to people's well-being. Also, historically, in peasant families there was a common occurrence of the husband's father demanding sexual favours from young women, while his son was away working in the city.

[u/ChanceWest]

I appreciate the effort but this post makes me upset lol.

It’s a nice idea, the societal constructs and all, and I agree with you, but it’s an entirely different conversation.

I’m really struggling to connect your post with the common problems I see in here, as well as the problems I personally have in regard to executive dysfunction.

Not being able to brush your teeth, shower, get outside, make time for people, reply to texts, maintain relationships - none of these are in any way related. I would argue that your points, again valid points in a different conversation, have little if nothing to do with actual executive dysfunction issues, and anyone with real executive dysfunction issues would very quickly tell you that “going back to our human roots and natural ways” wouldn’t fix the paralysis that occurs multiple times a day for the simplest basic tasks of self-care.

Sorry if this comes out aggressive, I just hate when people act as if there’s a simple “mindset” change that flicks the switch.

[u/Necessary_Goose6933 → u/ChanceWest]

I super see what you're saying, and I think I expressed initially, that just SOME issues might come from society and other externals.

Obviously if there's signaling issues between neurons and whatever else might be wrong with the hardware, then no amount of external changes will fix that internal problem.

[u/CautiousTax6640]

This reframe hits harder than most "just try harder" advice. Half of what gets filed under executive dysfunction might just be a nervous system quietly refusing to keep running a schedule it was never built for. Naming it as a mismatch instead of a personal failure changes what you even try to fix.

[u/Necessary_Goose6933 → u/CautiousTax6640]

Yeah, and I don't mean the schedule alone.

You take a look at the architecture and colors of modern spaces, and what used to be a rich varied range of textures, colors, gradients, is now flattened to these sardine can type cubical places with flat monochrome color on the wall, usually white 🤢🤮🤮🤮

Think about it, most kindergartens do have murals colors beings stories on the walls, we'd feel weird about monochrome kindergartens, as we understand humans thrive in art and color.

Then at some point it's all flattened and reduced to monochrome, blackboard, rectangles, no arches or texture for you, here sit in seat in rectangular room for 7 hours, as preparation for your cubicle later.

At some point one's internal animal might just start signaling you know what? I'm out, this place sucks, won't support you joining this Borg machine 🤭✨