I don't think they were talking to you specifically. They're probably just talking from their perspective, and don't have the knowledge of where you're at.

If you feel invalidated, those are your feelings coming from inside you, not something they planted in you. Perhaps it's a sign that you have things you need to work on.

They were responding to someone who started off saying they’re dealing with executive dysfunction. I do not know exactly how it affects GP, but I do know that typically it creates a crappy system of inaction despite intention, motivation, etc. And yes, I indeed have things I’m working on.

Oh geez I am so sorry. Truly. I guess I had a false notion that "executive dysfunction" was a softer term/catch-all for various problems around procrastination/focus, not something that is diagnosed explicitly such that you could feel this invalidation. Really sorry. I will edit accordingly.

It’s something that comes along with things like ADHD (that’s where I experience it). It just makes tackling sometimes simple seeming things feel insurmountable. It’s not a constant, and it effects everyone who experiences it differently. For me, self-care in some regards feels like an uphill battle (particularly maintaining dental hygiene and exercise - yaaaaay!). There are things I can do to make those things more accessible and “doable”, yet forming a routine and sticking to it is haaaaaaaard.

And I appreciate your response - the invalidating part was just that it’s “easy” to start a running routine with just shoes and shorts. It probably is for most people, and for me the shoes would sit there as a reminder of an investment in myself that I can not seem bring myself to take advantage of more than once or twice a year.