I'd like you to know what I hear when you say: "don't let ADHD define you."
You've probably heard it tossed around like pellet feed at the petting zoo, but have you ever stopped to think about what it really means?
Spoiler alert: it's not as kind as it sounds.
Imagine you're just doing your thing, navigating life, the best you can with your trusty sidekick, ADHD. And then, out of the blue, someone drops the "don't let ADHD define you" bomb on you. At first glance, it might seem like they're trying to be supportive, like they're giving you a pep talk to rise above your diagnosis.
What they're saying is, "Hey, could you tone down the ADHD stuff? It's killing the vibe." It's like they're handing me a mask and asking me to play the role of Neurotypical Nancy, just to keep things running smoothly.
But here's the thing—they're missing the memo that ADHD isn't just a hat I can take off when it gets inconvenient.
ADHD isn't just a label we slap on ourselves; it's woven into the very fabric of who we are. Our brains are wired differently, and that's what makes me me.
When someone tells me not to let ADHD define me, what they're really saying is, "Could you please pretend to be someone else for my sake?"
And let's not even get started on the whole stigma and stereotypes deal. By telling us to downplay our ADHD, they're feeding into this idea that our struggles are something to be ashamed of, like we're carrying around a dirty little secret.
It's like they're saying, "Hey, could you keep your ADHD on the down-low? It's kinda annoying and totally inconvenient".
Fuck. That. I don't have to play along with their little charade. I can embrace my ADHD, quirks and all, without apologising for who I am. Because guess what? My ADHD isn't a flaw or a defect—it's a superpower in its own right.
It's what gives me my creativity, my spontaneity, my reckless abandon, it drives my ‘fuck it, what’s the worst that can happen’ attitude (and that’s another, obviously ridiculous story for another time), it also gives me my unique perspective on the world.
So the next time someone tries to hit me with the whole "don't let ADHD define you" shit-show, I will just smile, and say “oh, but my ADHD is me, I’m literally wired that way”.
These days I know better than anyone that my ADHD isn't something to be hidden or ashamed of— if they can't see that, then they're the ones missing out.
I'll keep being my awesome ADHD self, don't let anyone dim your chaotic sparkle.