The Holy Trinity of ADHD: Impulsivity, Creativity, and the Cost of Constraint

I was watching a reel the other day that talked about how one of the "holy trinities" of ADHD is impulsivity. But instead of seeing it as a flaw, the creator reframed it as a gift: impulsivity is a breeder of creativity.

That hit home for me.

I am impulsive—and deeply creative. I get wild ideas and then hyperfocus like a woman possessed, pouring all of myself into bringing them to life. It’s how I’m wired. It’s where the magic lives.

That’s part of why I thought tattooing would be the ultimate creative dream job. After years working as an administrative assistant in finance—where creativity had to squeeze itself between forms, policies, and regulatory red tape—I craved freedom. I love tattoos. I love art. What could go wrong?

Turns out, plenty.

No one really tells you that tattooing, while creative, often comes with just as many restrictions. You’re constantly navigating the boundaries of someone else’s vision. And while I completely respect that—tattoos should be personal and aligned with the client’s aesthetic—there’s an unspoken pressure to intuit their vision perfectly, even when they say things like, “I’m easy, just do whatever you want.” What they often mean is: Do what I’m imagining, without me telling you.

When I try to color outside those lines—even slightly—I’m met with critique or resistance. Over time, that pressure starts to chip away at the joy. The freedom. The flow.

Instead of being an artist, you start to feel like a technician. The passion dims. The spark fades. And your wild, impulsive creative spirit? She begins to shrink.

Lately, I’ve been struggling to keep the fire alive for something I once revered. And that’s scary to admit. But what I’m learning is: it’s okay to step back. To reassess. To ask the hard questions:

• Does this still light me up?

• Am I showing up from a full cup—or am I leaking energy because it’s what people expect of me?

• Am I saying yes to projects that feel like a hell yes—or just out of obligation?

There’s power in the pause. Power in saying no. Power in reserving your energy for pieces, people, and projects that align with your values and your vision.

Right now, I’m at a crossroads in my career and growth as an artist. I’m being honest with myself about what’s truly in alignment. Because my clients deserve an artist who’s just as excited about their piece as they are—who brings the best energy into their session. And lately, I’ve had to ask myself… am I being fair to them when I show up scattered and resentful?

I recently got a tattoo from an artist whose heart clearly wasn’t in it. She was just there for the money. And it stung. It was a mirror. It made me ask: Is that how my clients feel when I’m misaligned?

I don’t know what the full path ahead looks like, but I do know this: I’m saying no to pieces that don’t light me up. I’m protecting space to create the kind of art that moves through me like a divine download—impulsive, intuitive, and untamed.

If you’ve ever felt this way too… how did you deal with it?