Hey there, lovely readers!
Today, I want to chat about something that’s as much a part of my life as coffee and chaotic mornings—executive dysfunction. If you have ADHD, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. If you don’t get ready stroll through my daily misadventures.
So, let’s talk about timekeeping, or rather, my lack of it. Picture this: I work thirty minutes away from home. Yet, in my ADHD brain, I somehow convince myself that I can defy the laws of physics and get there in twenty minutes. I know, I know—it’s laughable. My logic goes something like this: "If I leave at 7:40, I’ll totally beat the traffic and be there by 8:00!" Spoiler alert: It never works.
I try to work backwards to manage my time. Need to be there at 8:00? Leave at 7:30. Get up at 7:00. Simple, right? Wrong. Because everything takes longer to start. I mean, who knew putting on socks could be a twenty-minute task? The result: I’m always late, perpetually apologising, and hoping my boss believes in the concept of “magical traffic clearance.”
But wait, there’s more! When it comes to ongoing tasks, my executive dysfunction really shines. Routine stuff? Nah, not for me. I mean, who wants to deal with the mundane when there’s the allure of new and exciting tasks? If it’s new, challenging, or comes with a looming deadline and the threat of dire consequences, I can morph into a productivity superhero. But ask me to do the same thing every week, and I’m suddenly a master of procrastination.
Here’s the kicker: it’s not just about being late or avoiding routine tasks. Sometimes, my brain simply won’t let me do the thing. You know, that thing I’ve been meaning to start for the last hour, day, or week. It’s like my brain throws up a brick wall and says, “Nope, not today.” Trying to push through that wall feels like walking through treacle. Every step is slow, sticky, and exhausting.
Now, you might be wondering how I manage this delightful chaos. Enter lists, timers, alarms, and reminder apps. My phone buzzes more than a beehive, reminding me of everything from appointments to taking out the rubbish. Do these tools always work? Well, let’s just say they’re more of a well-meaning nudge than a foolproof system. But hey, it’s all about progress, not perfection, right?
Living with ADHD and executive dysfunction is a constant juggling act. Some days, I feel like I’ve got it all together. Other days, it’s like I’ve hit a wall.
Through it all, I’ve learned to embrace the chaos, laugh at my misadventures, and keep moving forward. After all, life’s too short to stress over a few (or many) late mornings and forgotten tasks.
So, to all my fellow ADHD warriors out there, keep your heads up, your alarms set, and your sense of humour intact. We’ve got this, one sticky step at a time!
Catch you later (probably late)!