Foreword This post is about coming home, about unpacking the motorhome after another weekend on the road. It is also about the small moments that linger and stay in your heart. Finally, it is a post about ADHD – about jumpy thoughts that want too much all at once, and about the encounters that leave deep marks in the heart.
Back on the Couch – Motorhome Ready for Autumn
I’m sitting here on the couch, writing. Yesterday, we unpacked the motorhome. The fridge is now empty, ready to be restocked for the next weekend trip. The laundry is done, and only the bedding from the motorhome remains. Once that is washed, our LVL² will officially be ready for autumn.
From now on, our trips will be shorter. Instead of long journeys, it will be small weekend escapes – just enough to capture the last breath of freedom that only motorhome life can give.
Our little one has truly become a camper. I already knew that, but yesterday gave me the final proof – the dot over the “i.” While unpacking, he said: ”The clothes can stay – we’re going out again soon.”
On the way home, we stopped at Överby. First, we bought gas for the Thermacell – that little device I love on mosquito-filled evenings. Then, something else caught our attention. He found a microphone he wanted for his computer. He said he would save up for it himself. However, we decided to surprise him and bought it.
Usually, he waits in the motorhome when we go shopping. But yesterday was different – he came along. And he learned that sometimes, stepping into the store actually pays off.
The Blog – A Timeline of My Life After Learning I Have ADHD
When I was on ADHD medication, I felt my thoughts line up for the very first time. It was as if they became little train wagons, following each other in perfect order. Now, without medication, my mind is more like a ball of yarn – loose threads bouncing in every direction.
I had to stop taking the medication. At first, it helped me. However, after a while, my body began to protest – tight muscles, aching jaws, poor sleep, and creeping anxiety.
Today, I live with my jumpy thoughts again. Sometimes they irritate me – but other times, they make life rich. And sometimes, they turn into blog posts like this one.
Fact Box: ADHD in Everyday Life
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Core symptoms include attention difficulties, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity.
Thoughts often “jump” because of executive function challenges, where the brain struggles to sort what’s most important right now.
While medication can help create mental structure, side effects are common, and many people develop their own strategies instead.
Most importantly, understanding, routines, and a supportive environment can make the biggest difference – especially in school.
A Meeting That Stayed with Me
In my work, I have met many children who couldn’t fit into the school system. Children who had already lost faith in themselves, who carried the feeling of being “wrong.”
I remember one meeting especially clearly. I described the feeling of worthlessness, of constantly having to hide your quirks. The young person began to cry.
”How do you know all this?” they asked. ”I’ve been there before. You’re not alone,” I replied.
Later, I went to our psychologist, because I was worried that my words might have done harm. Instead, he said something that has stayed with me ever since: ”Would you have wanted to meet someone like you when you were a child?” Yes, I said. ”Then you are that person now. Give what you once needed, and you do it so well. You see the kids and say the things they don’t even dare whisper. You let them see themselves as they are – and make them feel good enough as they are.”
Those words stayed. They made me better at my work. And they made me softer as a human being.
Reflection
Oh, how jumpy this post became. But that’s how my brain works – the threads crisscross, and in the end, they land somewhere that truly matters.
Today’s AHA: The psychologist’s words are still with me. I get to be the person I once needed.
Now I’m curious about you…
Have you ever met someone who truly left a mark on you? Which words stayed in your heart?
AHA – Between the Lines
Between the lines, I reveal a person who seeks both stillness and movement. I find joy in the small moments of everyday life – an unpacked motorhome, a little boy’s words, a new microphone. Yet I also carry a deep understanding of life’s fragility, of what it feels like to be small and not quite fit in.
I have learned to live with jumpy thoughts and with a story that has made me both stronger and softer. And I remind you that human encounters – a single moment of true understanding – can change a life. Perhaps I am now the person giving to others what I once longed for myself.
Afterword Thank you for following me through today’s stream of words.
Yesterday is already resting in history. Tomorrow waits somewhere ahead. But right now – this is where life happens, in what you feel, breathe, and experience. – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Introduction There’s something special about waking up at home after a weekend away. The sheets feel different, the coffee hits differently, and the sound of the washing machine humming reminds me that everyday life is back. Today, I got an especially dramatic start – courtesy of our cat.
This morning, our cat launched a full attack on my feet sticking out from under the blanket. Before 5:00 AM. Of course I woke up immediately. That little rascal knows exactly how to get me out of bed – just to get his breakfast.
Still, waking up at home after being in the motorhome is a lovely feeling. I do enjoy our trips in LVL^2, but there’s a comfort in coming home, unpacking, and slipping back into the rhythm of regular life.
Unpacking the Motorhome – Our Routine
We’re a good team when it comes to unpacking the motorhome. I gather everything from inside, and my husband carries it all into the house and puts things in the fridge. The whole process takes maybe fifteen minutes. After that, I usually settle into the sofa for a bit – but not before checking on our greenhouse and garden.
Yesterday, everything needed a good watering, but I left it until the evening.
Birthday Celebration for My Mother-in-law
Once the unpacking was done, we shifted gears – my mother-in-law turned 81, and we had a little party planned. Showers, getting ready, and picking up our eldest daughter before heading off to Gothenburg.
We made a quick stop at Torp to buy the final gift – a warm, long cardigan to go with the two knives we had already bought (a bread knife and another one she had mentioned needing). She often feels cold, so a cozy, knee-length cardigan seemed perfect.
The party was lovely. She served Swedish sandwich cake and gluten-free options for us, along with Budapest roll and Schwarzwald cake. We were twelve people gathered – a rare occasion due to the distance between us.
Home Again – and a Message from the Neighbor
We got back home around 7:00 PM. Everyone was tired. We watered the garden and sat out on the patio. Just being.
On the drive home, my neighbor messaged me. Her YouTube channel had gained more views, and she mentioned that her son missed me. They had gone swimming, but he didn’t want to go into the deep water without me there. I think we’ll sort that out – he’ll be ready for deep-water swimming before winter arrives. I know he can learn.
My our little girl also mentioned that he had probably knocked on our door while we were away. She finds it unsettling when someone knocks unexpectedly, so she waited. Eventually, she saw him return to his house across the street.
A New Children’s Video About Emotions
Speaking of my neighbor – she recently uploaded a new video to her YouTube channel. She makes short educational films for young children, and they’re truly lovely. The latest one is about emotions: what feelings exist, how they feel, and how they affect us. It’s not every emotion, of course – but it’s perfect for young kids.
The washing machines are calling again. It’s not even 6:00 AM, and I’ve already done two loads of laundry – mostly from the weekend trip. I also washed our swimwear, because we’re probably going swimming today.
Closing Words Thanks for joining me on this Monday morning. Maybe you were woken gently, maybe not. However your day started, I hope it gives you both energy and space to just be.
Reflection: It’s in the contrast that we notice what we truly enjoy. A quiet Monday isn’t boring after an adventurous weekend – it’s a soft landing. And maybe that’s what everyday life is really about.
”Live today, right now. Yesterday rests in history, and tomorrow waits out there in the distance. Right now is what matters.” – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Do you also have a furry friend who “helps” you wake up? Share your best or worst pet alarm moment in the comments!
Have you celebrated someone recently? What’s your favorite gift to give a loved one?
Have you seen my neighbor’s new children’s video? Let us know what you think – she loves hearing from viewers!
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