It's honestly kind of heartbreaking sometimes when you get hyperfixated on something for years and then one little thing comes up, (like you can't go do a regular hobby because something broke and you have to wait for a replacement), and in that short period it's like your brain rewires itself without your permission and you lose all interest and enjoyment of the thing. BUT, I've also come to accept that I could never have maintained all the hobbies and interests I've had at once, and yet I'd hate not to have had them at all. So it's kind of a neccesary evil.
Yeah, when the hyperfocus or hyperfixation ends, it can be hard to get it back again. Just easier to move on to something new. Novelty seeking. A double-edged sword.
I discovered that I can reignite this hyperfixation again after it wore off. It's not easy, and mostly happens by chance, and only with hobbies that really mean something to me (painting or playing the piano), but it can happen. All it takes is something that inspires me and gives me a new perspective on my old hobby. I can't force it though, but I have trust that the important ones eventually will come back again.
There is nothing wrong with you. I tell myself this and so should you. Understand that we are all different from "the norm".... Listen to Rick.. We are different, not wrong, this man made so much sense to me when I stumbled apon his videos..... All hail Rick... Much love x
It's interesting isn't it? I couldn't figure out why I struggled to finish, or even start, tasks or schoolwork that other people handled easily. And never appreciated that there were things I could do easily that other people thought was amazing.
@@rickgreen4131 I just felt depressed, and I still do, because of that. I still don’t have medication because my mum doesn’t believe I might might have adhd
The other thing that happens for me with hyperfixation is that I can't stop thinking about it to the point where I won't stop talking about it and annoy other people. Everything reminds me of that thing. One of the things that can happen with hyperfocus is that I stop existing while it's happening. All that exists is the subject of my focus. I don't even notice things like needing to pee or eat for hours and hours and hours.
This hurt so bad. I was an excellent student, and when it came to finishing my thesis, I never did. 6 years of college gone. Finishing things is my biggest adhd hurdle in life. I wish I've known sooner what was happening so I could get help I needed then
I hear you. I got stuck in regret and sadness a lot when I finally figured out how my style of thinking differed from most people. "If only I'd know sooner..." Especially as I started accepting and figuring out how my brain worked and playing to those strengths. It was a whole different story for my son who knew what was going on and got the tools to succeed.
My husband describes me as 'hell out the gate, but shit for stamina.' And I hate it is true, but it is true. I love the idea of painting a room, but I can paint 1 wall and I'm bored. So, with my projects, I do a timeline or keep a on going to do list to try to make myself do it. But I find I do projects better when I have a friend to do them with, or company. If that makes sense.
That's such a common story, getting so close with something and never finishing. Lots on the go and nothing completed. I still struggle with that at times.
Just wanted to say: “Trains are wonderful. I get it. And any models are well worth it. Go for it.” P.S. Thank you for explaining in Rictionary terms the difference between those two words. It really helped.
Rick, I'm a "hobby chameleon" and you gotta stop talking about model trains before I develop an interest for them and ruin my marriage. I'm begging you! Good channel though. How you do it is beyond me, so I appreciate your work even more.
Thanks! I have to warn you, a number of Patrons have been asking about my model railroad so I'm doing a video about it, and why it's my go-to form of meditation. As for how I do it? Thank our Patrons. Almost 800 folks from all over the world who allow me to hire the crew to shoot, edit, produce, and upload the videos. And host webinars. And have an epic Patron chat area. Oh, and of course put out our Friday Funnies (which we've been doing for 8 years!)
Rick! I love your model railroad. When I was I kid, I stop in a shop on the way home from school. It was called "The Hobby Shop." In the back was a fully functioning model railroad. It included mountains, tunnels, a tressle, a small town. I could stand at watch the train go around the tracks for hours. And hours. And hours. What was this video about again?
Who cares what it's about... It's Trains!!! So many people have asked about my model railroad so I've just shot a video about how it's my go-to activity to destress.
Ahhhh I love this video you explain it so so well. I have only just learned at 49 that hyper fixation and hyperfocus has troubled me for decades often to extreme detriment to my life and mental health.
I watch and learn everything I can about this and this was the first time I have ever heard the concept of being fixated on negative memories …..and the penny drops…..I’ve been watching you play goofy characters all my life… and then I’m enlightened by “Bill”. Perfect. Thank you for all of this.
@@rickgreen4131 yes, you sure did. What made me laugh even more was the documentary you made on ADHD with the experts speaking in front of giant carnival rides with many moving parts and flashing lights... Definitely a sort of thing that only an ADHDer like my self could appreciate lol! 😂
On a serious note, have you ever done a video tackling the issue of ADHD and shame? Because while I have found that my distractibility and attention span make it harder to get work done and all, i find what is the most debilitating is a sense of failure or futility that I think a lot of ADHDers experience and is rooted in shame.
From my Dicktionary, hyper focus gives 100% attention on a single subject, hyper fixated is when someone is dismissive of anything else regardless of content or argumentation.
I call it my 2 week thing im fixated on. Every 2 weeks I'm All-In into another wild idea, and high enthusiasm lasts for about 2 weeks then stops suddenly almost every time. It's so frustrating. Like living in groundhog day that lasts 2 weeks and then resets in a different city. Rinse and repeat.
Interesting. What stops you? Is it because you hit a roadblock or a problem and run out of steam? I would often start something - writing a script, building a model, repairing something around the house - and then abandon it when I got stuck. Quickly frustrated. Now, I've learned to be with the discomfort, the disappointment, the sag in my energy, to lean into it, for 30 seconds, and it abates.
I do the same! I get interested in a topic, bees for example and learn all I can then know I can't do a hive(not going to go that far). Then quit researching. But same goes for public court cases(high profile situation) and watch endless YT videos over it and follow the trial. Or obsess over potential overreaching at work....so I voice concerns to husband, co workers, etc. And basically start planning what may happen when I get fired, asked to leave, or quit.
Thank you! (Check out the benefits of becoming a Patron for as little as $3 a month at RickWantsToKnow.com An amazing community and their support is what allows me to make new videos.)
I hyper fixate for 12 month at a time then SNAP! no interest ... Flat earth, Hinduism, Chess, Sinatra? WTF? Just waiting for my next...I learn/buy everything obsessively then couldn't care less, but at the time, why isn't everyone/anyone interested? love and hate my Hyper fixations. Only recently discovered I have this at 60 years old...x
Just like in a museum, I could get lost admiring your railroad model! I'd love to someday look at something I made and feel proud that I started doing it in the past.
Whoa! You're Rick Green, co-creator of The Red Green Show! I loved watching you as a kid! Thank you for the video and for making me laugh and giving me the good juice back in the day. You rock man!
Thank you Rick. With this and your Train video, you have motivated me to restart a long term project - a model of the Cutty Sark I bought at a yard sale in 1984. I carried it around from house to house until I finally started building it during the lockdown. I put it on hold over the summer, but now I have started back on it. I get hyperfocused when I work on it, but have been thinking about it ever since I bought it all those years ago. Maybe I will get it done in another year.
You are an amazing diorama builder my friend!😮 Truly impressive. I don’t really care about trains, but I can’t help but appreciate a master’s craft. Keep it up. 😉
We are Not Laughing at you. As much as we are Laughing at ourselves. We see the painful truth in what you say. Thank you for ( Oh look a Train! ) giving me a place to find answers to my ADD questions. Best Wishes from Montana! M.H.
While I'm not hyperfixated on model trains, I could probably listen for 3 hours to someone passionate about it... well, probably not in a single sitting, but over a few days.
👍👍‼️ At about 6:00pm I started looking into slow photons and magnetism. “Snaps fingers” I was wondering what was lighting the window? Going to the window I saw the sun coming up…
The problem is, you can't really control what interests you and what doesn't. I mean, maybe to a small amount, but generally speaking, you really can't control it. You either are interested or you're not.
Yes. So rather than try to control it, save your energy and pursue it. And see if perhaps you can even find a way to make it a second source of income!
Thank you! I have this strange ability to take a subject, learn about it, and then explain it to other people in a way that everyone gets it. I'm working on a video about where I think I discovered and honed this 'gift' - as a Demonstrator at the Ontario Science Centre.
@@rickgreen4131 Awesome! I find I can do the same thing on many things, that I'm interesting in and not going through a bout of depression of course. You live in T.O.? Samezies! hehe How long have you been a demonstrator at the OSC? Been awhile since I've been there.
What happened to all the videos from TotallyADD? I am glad I can still find your content here! Just a confused ADHD/ADD and ASD individual here! My hyperfocus is when I start to work on my thesis with the data handling part of it. My hyperfixation is Native American crafts, especially beading. I can also fixate on Climate Change and Ecology,.
Thanks for this. Over a year since getting an ADHD diagnosis in my late 50s - it explains my whole life - there's still a mountain of stuff to figure out and understand. This video is yet another example of 2 + 2 suddenly, obviously (with hindsight) = 4.
I have not. But I a few years ago I did work on a gigantic model railroad called Little Canada. Great fun building models all day long. Scores and scores of structures.
I love model trains! I don't care much about their mechanics personally, but the miniature worlds draw me in. And it's so funny/nice that you can find a model train enthusiast in nearly every town, at least here in Australia. Why does humanity react so strongly to making small things go brrm brrm? I also will put in hours of unpaid overtime for a 'work' project that I enjoy (often because nobody WOULD pay to have it done). Ive decided that if it's worth it to ME, then it's not wasted time. Probably.
Would hyperfixation be like an obsession? I would love to talk about/and do.....anything to help people declutter, get organized ect.. I have read and heard so much about this. Also even when young, like 5 years old, I was into minimal. I can talk on this for hours. I am so lonely though, most people will give the topic a few minutes. It seems thats all I have interest for. People are bored! I am so alone! You tube let me realize I am not from Mars! How I would love to have a friend to obsess over this and take action near me!
Suddenly I feel greatful that my hyperfixations don't typically last more than 6 months. It's frustrating that I never get to be good at them, and I've had to implement a no excessive spending on new hobbies rule but yeah at least I don't have to be concerned about things taking over my whole life and potentially vanishing
I wonder if it's that you 'get good enough' at a fixation and then sense how much more it will take to master it. I play guitar. (Poorly.) I do magic tricks. (Poorly.) But I kind of reached a hurdle and rather than push through went on to other things that interested me. I'm actually working on a video about being an interest-based learner.
"... when I finish painting a car..." How do you do that? My hyperfocus inevitably fades 4 steps before I finish a project and never, ever comes back. My focus wanders even when I'm doing something I like. Now I have to rewatch the video, cause I've missed half of it. 😒
Good question. The answer is that when my hyperfocus fades, or doesn't kick in, and I become scattered, frustrated, or start to rush through it, I get up and go do something else. It's a trick I learned many years ago from Benny Verburgh, a colleague who worked at the Ontario Science Centre, alternating between the woodworking department, building display cases, etc.. and out in the public area building a huge model of a wooden sailing ship over the course of four years. "Don't you ever get frustrated at the slow pace?" "Sure. Then I go to the wood shop and saw, hammer, and build things."
I missed a lot of what you said in this video because I saw the "New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual," that bright yellow and red book on the shelf behind you. I have that book! Somewhere. Of course nowadays if I have a d-i-y question I just search RUclips. And that book predates RUclips by a good 20 years. There are probably chapters on "popcorn" ceilings and how to install and aim a TV antenna. Still, I should try to find my copy. I hope I didn't pack it away with all that junk I put in the crawl space. So what was that about hyperfocusing versus hyperventilating? I'm sorry. Well, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. 😊
I wonder if there have been any studies or surveys about the most common hyperfixations or special interests among neurodivergent folk. Because I've noticed trains seem to come up a lot, enough to where it's a bit of a stereotype for autistic people to love trains lol
With respect, I believe the "trains" stereotype is more of a male thing. Female neurodivergence tends to present rather differently from the stereotypical stereotype (if you see what I mean).
I think you're on to something. I've taken a few online 'Autism-Aspergers' screener tests and scored pretty high. Having been a member of an epic model railroad club, I'd say it is not, uh, 'uncommon.' And I know at least two young men who had Autism and love trains. As Amanda says, below, that's a guy thing.
@@amandachapman4708 For sure. I have met hundreds of model railroaders and it's only in the past decade the number of women has started to rise. It's not the trains that they enjoy, it's the scenery, structures, and figures, creating scenes or dramas. And most of the women come from the world of Doll House making, which make sense to me.
Where's the difference between normal neurotypical focus and hyperfocus? Is one criteria for hyperfocus to not hear/see your environment or can you also be hyperfocused on sth while hearing others when they call to you?
I imagine neurotypical focus being "this needs to be done" and then focusing on doing it. Hyperfocus, at least for me, is having this obsession and restlessness of having to do something, to study Swedish which I'm terrible at and thus dislike studying of instead of studying programming which I actually wanted to do. That hyperfocus finally went away after four hours of studying when I completed all my homework three days ahead the deadline.
The Mad hatter... What's the Hatter with me, have I gone mad? Alice... I'm afraid so, you're mad, bonkers, off your head... But I'll tell you a secret, All the best people are. x
Hi I know what your talking about..I used to work for carrier france 🇫🇷 transicold..ie air france concorde...I'm from East kilbride Scotland..it's ironic they gave 12yr inventor an aviation medal to wrong boy..my son was 13 at same school! Ironic?😅😅😂
Great video! You got me to wondering: I’m curious if you consider Elon Musk’s hyper loop a train or would it be considered it’s own unique form of transportation?
I guess you haven't seen the latest videos on that debunking his 'hyper-loop', to the point, that it's just a tunnel, with cars driving through it. Revolutionary, right? =P lolz Thunderf00t has made quite a few on it, among other things Elon has 'thought up'.2
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It's honestly kind of heartbreaking sometimes when you get hyperfixated on something for years and then one little thing comes up, (like you can't go do a regular hobby because something broke and you have to wait for a replacement), and in that short period it's like your brain rewires itself without your permission and you lose all interest and enjoyment of the thing. BUT, I've also come to accept that I could never have maintained all the hobbies and interests I've had at once, and yet I'd hate not to have had them at all. So it's kind of a neccesary evil.
Yeah, when the hyperfocus or hyperfixation ends, it can be hard to get it back again. Just easier to move on to something new. Novelty seeking. A double-edged sword.
It's a double edged sword, for sure. Both Hyper-focus and Hyper-fixation.
I discovered that I can reignite this hyperfixation again after it wore off. It's not easy, and mostly happens by chance, and only with hobbies that really mean something to me (painting or playing the piano), but it can happen.
All it takes is something that inspires me and gives me a new perspective on my old hobby. I can't force it though, but I have trust that the important ones eventually will come back again.
When you struggled with a word and immediately found a synonym was so wholesome and encouraging 🥺
This channel is so helpful. I never knew what was wrong with me but once I found this channel, so much was explained. Thank you so much Rick!!
There is nothing wrong with you. I tell myself this and so should you. Understand that we are all different from "the norm".... Listen to Rick.. We are different, not wrong, this man made so much sense to me when I stumbled apon his videos..... All hail Rick... Much love x
It's interesting isn't it? I couldn't figure out why I struggled to finish, or even start, tasks or schoolwork that other people handled easily. And never appreciated that there were things I could do easily that other people thought was amazing.
@@rickgreen4131 I can relate
@@rickgreen4131 I just felt depressed, and I still do, because of that. I still don’t have medication because my mum doesn’t believe I might might have adhd
@@martynking thank you so much ❤️
The other thing that happens for me with hyperfixation is that I can't stop thinking about it to the point where I won't stop talking about it and annoy other people. Everything reminds me of that thing.
One of the things that can happen with hyperfocus is that I stop existing while it's happening. All that exists is the subject of my focus. I don't even notice things like needing to pee or eat for hours and hours and hours.
Me too! It can be a curse or a blessing, a handicap or a superpower, depending on the situation.
Yes.
This hurt so bad. I was an excellent student, and when it came to finishing my thesis, I never did. 6 years of college gone. Finishing things is my biggest adhd hurdle in life. I wish I've known sooner what was happening so I could get help I needed then
I hear you. I got stuck in regret and sadness a lot when I finally figured out how my style of thinking differed from most people. "If only I'd know sooner..." Especially as I started accepting and figuring out how my brain worked and playing to those strengths. It was a whole different story for my son who knew what was going on and got the tools to succeed.
My husband describes me as 'hell out the gate, but shit for stamina.' And I hate it is true, but it is true. I love the idea of painting a room, but I can paint 1 wall and I'm bored. So, with my projects, I do a timeline or keep a on going to do list to try to make myself do it. But I find I do projects better when I have a friend to do them with, or company. If that makes sense.
@@KS-un3pi I tend to complete things if I'm doing them for someone else, but not if I'm doing them for myself. =/
@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane Yes! Exactly!
That's such a common story, getting so close with something and never finishing. Lots on the go and nothing completed. I still struggle with that at times.
This whole video was just an excuse to show us the model trains and I loved it :D
What happened to all the old videos?
Just wanted to say:
“Trains are wonderful. I get it.
And any models are well worth it.
Go for it.”
P.S. Thank you for explaining in Rictionary terms the difference between those two words. It really helped.
Rick, I'm a "hobby chameleon" and you gotta stop talking about model trains before I develop an interest for them and ruin my marriage. I'm begging you!
Good channel though. How you do it is beyond me, so I appreciate your work even more.
Thanks! I have to warn you, a number of Patrons have been asking about my model railroad so I'm doing a video about it, and why it's my go-to form of meditation.
As for how I do it? Thank our Patrons. Almost 800 folks from all over the world who allow me to hire the crew to shoot, edit, produce, and upload the videos. And host webinars. And have an epic Patron chat area. Oh, and of course put out our Friday Funnies (which we've been doing for 8 years!)
@@rickgreen4131 it's all good, I want to see it, too.
So the secret is hiring people. Got it! Keep doing what your doing. The world needs it!
Rick! I love your model railroad. When I was I kid, I stop in a shop on the way home from school. It was called "The Hobby Shop." In the back was a fully functioning model railroad. It included mountains, tunnels, a tressle, a small town. I could stand at watch the train go around the tracks for hours. And hours. And hours.
What was this video about again?
Who cares what it's about... It's Trains!!! So many people have asked about my model railroad so I've just shot a video about how it's my go-to activity to destress.
Ahhhh I love this video you explain it so so well. I have only just learned at 49 that hyper fixation and hyperfocus has troubled me for decades often to extreme detriment to my life and mental health.
This video really helped me understand the concepts, especially with your examples and humor! A+, 10/10, gold star!
Thanks for the kind words! I'm working on four new videos at the moment so more to come. Thanks to our Patrons for making it happen.
I watch and learn everything I can about this and this was the first time I have ever heard the concept of being fixated on negative memories …..and the penny drops…..I’ve been watching you play goofy characters all my life… and then I’m enlightened by “Bill”. Perfect. Thank you for all of this.
"Paradoxially---Paradoxallically--para--oddly--oddly enough..." Lol I laughed so hard. :)
If you laughed then I have a indubilly...undubitilly...indublitall... really done good.
@@rickgreen4131 yes, you sure did. What made me laugh even more was the documentary you made on ADHD with the experts speaking in front of giant carnival rides with many moving parts and flashing lights... Definitely a sort of thing that only an ADHDer like my self could appreciate lol! 😂
On a serious note, have you ever done a video tackling the issue of ADHD and shame? Because while I have found that my distractibility and attention span make it harder to get work done and all, i find what is the most debilitating is a sense of failure or futility that I think a lot of ADHDers experience and is rooted in shame.
From my Dicktionary, hyper focus gives 100% attention on a single subject, hyper fixated is when someone is dismissive of anything else regardless of content or argumentation.
Oh, I like that. That's another way of looking at it. Hyperfocus is 'moment by moment' until one snaps out of it. Hyperfixated is ongoing. Relentless.
I call it my 2 week thing im fixated on. Every 2 weeks I'm All-In into another wild idea, and high enthusiasm lasts for about 2 weeks then stops suddenly almost every time. It's so frustrating. Like living in groundhog day that lasts 2 weeks and then resets in a different city. Rinse and repeat.
Interesting. What stops you? Is it because you hit a roadblock or a problem and run out of steam? I would often start something - writing a script, building a model, repairing something around the house - and then abandon it when I got stuck. Quickly frustrated. Now, I've learned to be with the discomfort, the disappointment, the sag in my energy, to lean into it, for 30 seconds, and it abates.
I do the same! I get interested in a topic, bees for example and learn all I can then know I can't do a hive(not going to go that far). Then quit researching.
But same goes for public court cases(high profile situation) and watch endless YT videos over it and follow the trial.
Or obsess over potential overreaching at work....so I voice concerns to husband, co workers, etc. And basically start planning what may happen when I get fired, asked to leave, or quit.
Rick.... I love you man. Your humour is amazing... Respect..
Thank you! (Check out the benefits of becoming a Patron for as little as $3 a month at RickWantsToKnow.com An amazing community and their support is what allows me to make new videos.)
Awesome video + description with notes to reread :)
I hyper fixate for 12 month at a time then SNAP! no interest ... Flat earth, Hinduism, Chess, Sinatra? WTF? Just waiting for my next...I learn/buy everything obsessively then couldn't care less, but at the time, why isn't everyone/anyone interested? love and hate my Hyper fixations. Only recently discovered I have this at 60 years old...x
Just like in a museum, I could get lost admiring your railroad model! I'd love to someday look at something I made and feel proud that I started doing it in the past.
Whoa! You're Rick Green, co-creator of The Red Green Show! I loved watching you as a kid! Thank you for the video and for making me laugh and giving me the good juice back in the day. You rock man!
yup, all the time! thanks for sharing!
You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Can you create more content with your model railroad please.
Thank you Rick. With this and your Train video, you have motivated me to restart a long term project - a model of the Cutty Sark I bought at a yard sale in 1984. I carried it around from house to house until I finally started building it during the lockdown. I put it on hold over the summer, but now I have started back on it.
I get hyperfocused when I work on it, but have been thinking about it ever since I bought it all those years ago.
Maybe I will get it done in another year.
Yes, I very much agree with this distinction and the definitions.
I'm glad! Thanks.
Rick you're the best. Have a great day.
I very much enjoy your definitions and your ricktionary
Thank you! I enjoy hearing you enjoy them!
You are an amazing diorama builder my friend!😮 Truly impressive. I don’t really care about trains, but I can’t help but appreciate a master’s craft. Keep it up. 😉
Thank you so much 😀
We are Not Laughing at you. As much as we are Laughing at ourselves.
We see the painful truth in what you say.
Thank you for ( Oh look a Train! ) giving me a place to find answers to my ADD questions.
Best Wishes from Montana! M.H.
So, equatable to acute vs chronic. Thank you for explaining!
Oh, I like that! Another perspective.
Mine, fixation... Is guitar. I'm getting better, hyper focus helps.. Xx
That's what it takes. As my mom said, "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life."
Wonderfully explained, thank you. The fun theatrics is well appreciated to learn, the definitions come closer.
While I'm not hyperfixated on model trains, I could probably listen for 3 hours to someone passionate about it... well, probably not in a single sitting, but over a few days.
👍👍‼️
At about 6:00pm I started looking into slow photons and magnetism.
“Snaps fingers” I was wondering what was lighting the window?
Going to the window I saw the sun coming up…
The problem is, you can't really control what interests you and what doesn't. I mean, maybe to a small amount, but generally speaking, you really can't control it. You either are interested or you're not.
Yes. So rather than try to control it, save your energy and pursue it. And see if perhaps you can even find a way to make it a second source of income!
Great video Rick! Your way of explaining things is excellent!
Thank you! I have this strange ability to take a subject, learn about it, and then explain it to other people in a way that everyone gets it. I'm working on a video about where I think I discovered and honed this 'gift' - as a Demonstrator at the Ontario Science Centre.
@@rickgreen4131 Awesome! I find I can do the same thing on many things, that I'm interesting in and not going through a bout of depression of course. You live in T.O.? Samezies! hehe How long have you been a demonstrator at the OSC? Been awhile since I've been there.
What happened to all the videos from TotallyADD? I am glad I can still find your content here! Just a confused ADHD/ADD and ASD individual here! My hyperfocus is when I start to work on my thesis with the data handling part of it. My hyperfixation is Native American crafts, especially beading. I can also fixate on Climate Change and Ecology,.
That was quite awesome. Thank-you, Rick!
Thanks for this. Over a year since getting an ADHD diagnosis in my late 50s - it explains my whole life - there's still a mountain of stuff to figure out and understand. This video is yet another example of 2 + 2 suddenly, obviously (with hindsight) = 4.
Have you been to the UK's National Railway Museum? They are expanding it into the World's Railway Museum.
I have not. But I a few years ago I did work on a gigantic model railroad called Little Canada. Great fun building models all day long. Scores and scores of structures.
rick your channel is so helpful
You have such a great sense of humour!
Model trains and creating D&D terrain/buildings I can get lost for 12 hours straight.
Lost to the world. But having found yourself in the zone.
I love model trains! I don't care much about their mechanics personally, but the miniature worlds draw me in. And it's so funny/nice that you can find a model train enthusiast in nearly every town, at least here in Australia. Why does humanity react so strongly to making small things go brrm brrm?
I also will put in hours of unpaid overtime for a 'work' project that I enjoy (often because nobody WOULD pay to have it done). Ive decided that if it's worth it to ME, then it's not wasted time. Probably.
Very well explained 👍
Brilliant!!! 🙌 👏 🙏
Thank you 🙌
Would hyperfixation be like an obsession? I would love to talk about/and do.....anything to help people declutter, get organized ect.. I have read and heard so much about this. Also even when young, like 5 years old, I was into minimal. I can talk on this for hours. I am so lonely though, most people will give the topic a few minutes. It seems thats all I have interest for. People are bored! I am so alone! You tube let me realize I am not from Mars! How I would love to have a friend to obsess over this and take action near me!
Suddenly I feel greatful that my hyperfixations don't typically last more than 6 months. It's frustrating that I never get to be good at them, and I've had to implement a no excessive spending on new hobbies rule but yeah at least I don't have to be concerned about things taking over my whole life and potentially vanishing
I wonder if it's that you 'get good enough' at a fixation and then sense how much more it will take to master it. I play guitar. (Poorly.) I do magic tricks. (Poorly.) But I kind of reached a hurdle and rather than push through went on to other things that interested me. I'm actually working on a video about being an interest-based learner.
Rick, do you a channel that focuses on your model railroad work? I’d love to see it.
"... when I finish painting a car..."
How do you do that? My hyperfocus inevitably fades 4 steps before I finish a project and never, ever comes back.
My focus wanders even when I'm doing something I like.
Now I have to rewatch the video, cause I've missed half of it. 😒
Good question. The answer is that when my hyperfocus fades, or doesn't kick in, and I become scattered, frustrated, or start to rush through it, I get up and go do something else. It's a trick I learned many years ago from Benny Verburgh, a colleague who worked at the Ontario Science Centre, alternating between the woodworking department, building display cases, etc.. and out in the public area building a huge model of a wooden sailing ship over the course of four years. "Don't you ever get frustrated at the slow pace?" "Sure. Then I go to the wood shop and saw, hammer, and build things."
That was a nice video about model trains, 😂
Very useful! I think that I experience a lot of hyperfixation, but not much hyperfocus(At least from my impression). Is that common?
Can we use an alternative word to fixation, it can be fisation? With the "s". Its softer and humane.
Great explanation! Question, would a hyperfixation be the same as a special interest? Or is there a difference there?
I missed a lot of what you said in this video because I saw the "New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual," that bright yellow and red book on the shelf behind you. I have that book! Somewhere. Of course nowadays if I have a d-i-y question I just search RUclips. And that book predates RUclips by a good 20 years. There are probably chapters on "popcorn" ceilings and how to install and aim a TV antenna. Still, I should try to find my copy. I hope I didn't pack it away with all that junk I put in the crawl space. So what was that about hyperfocusing versus hyperventilating? I'm sorry. Well, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. 😊
My hyper fixation - HALLOWEEN
I wonder if there have been any studies or surveys about the most common hyperfixations or special interests among neurodivergent folk. Because I've noticed trains seem to come up a lot, enough to where it's a bit of a stereotype for autistic people to love trains lol
With respect, I believe the "trains" stereotype is more of a male thing. Female neurodivergence tends to present rather differently from the stereotypical stereotype (if you see what I mean).
@@amandachapman4708 ah yes, that is true! Demographic data in a survey could reveal some interesting things
I think you're on to something. I've taken a few online 'Autism-Aspergers' screener tests and scored pretty high. Having been a member of an epic model railroad club, I'd say it is not, uh, 'uncommon.' And I know at least two young men who had Autism and love trains. As Amanda says, below, that's a guy thing.
@@amandachapman4708 For sure. I have met hundreds of model railroaders and it's only in the past decade the number of women has started to rise. It's not the trains that they enjoy, it's the scenery, structures, and figures, creating scenes or dramas. And most of the women come from the world of Doll House making, which make sense to me.
Where's the difference between normal neurotypical focus and hyperfocus? Is one criteria for hyperfocus to not hear/see your environment or can you also be hyperfocused on sth while hearing others when they call to you?
I imagine neurotypical focus being "this needs to be done" and then focusing on doing it. Hyperfocus, at least for me, is having this obsession and restlessness of having to do something, to study Swedish which I'm terrible at and thus dislike studying of instead of studying programming which I actually wanted to do. That hyperfocus finally went away after four hours of studying when I completed all my homework three days ahead the deadline.
Neurotypical people don't hyperfocus
I like the cow song!!
everyone: "shouldn't you help to better humankind, society and the environment?"
me: "why yes of course, i'll start right now"
my brain: "choo choo!"
You're funny :) great video, very informative and good at explaining
The Mad hatter... What's the Hatter with me, have I gone mad? Alice... I'm afraid so, you're mad, bonkers, off your head... But I'll tell you a secret, All the best people are. x
I feel like I hyperfocus and hyperfixate at the same time :D
Hi I know what your talking about..I used to work for carrier france 🇫🇷 transicold..ie air france concorde...I'm from East kilbride Scotland..it's ironic they gave 12yr inventor an aviation medal to wrong boy..my son was 13 at same school! Ironic?😅😅😂
Google schoolboy boy inventor from East kilbride Scotland......
I'm so glad I've found you. You and your wife aren't looking to adopt are you? I mean sure, I'm 57 y/o, but ....😊
Uh oh, got stuck on the Beatles song. Better pause the video.
Great video! You got me to wondering: I’m curious if you consider Elon Musk’s hyper loop a train or would it be considered it’s own unique form of transportation?
I guess you haven't seen the latest videos on that debunking his 'hyper-loop', to the point, that it's just a tunnel, with cars driving through it. Revolutionary, right? =P lolz Thunderf00t has made quite a few on it, among other things Elon has 'thought up'.2
This whole video was just an excuse to show us the model trains and I loved it :D
Ha ha! So, you've seen through my evil plans, you dastardly devil!