I spend a lot of time thinking about ADHD, obviously, and people’s attitudes towards it. I don’t mean people looking in at it, I mean those experiencing it.

I have one friend with ADHD, who despite dropping out of university to have a child, is wildly successful in their field.  They have never let their ADHD hold them back from what they want to achieve.  I’ll call them person 1.

On the other side I have another friend, who the last time I saw them spent the entire time telling me all the ways that ADHD was to blame for the fact they couldn’t do XYZ.  The same person has in comparison to the first person achieved very little in their life.  I’ll call them person 2.

It’s an interesting comparison.  Both have similar childhood trauma, and both, have similar tastes, and similar ADHD traits.  Neither were aware of their ADHD until they were in their 30s, though both were aware they were not necessarily neurotypical on some level. And yet the one thing that differs between them is their mindset.

Person 1, I would say is far happier and more fulfilled in their life than person 2.  Based on knowing them both, I genuinely believe that it is a difference in mindset that has led to this.

Having ADHD can be hell, there are times I struggle to even get out of bed, however it is not a death sentence and does not stop you achieving things.  Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely do believe life would be easier without ADHD, but how does telling myself I can’t do things because of it help?

It’s easy for me to sit and say this, I am a chronic overachiever.  But everything I have achieved has been bloody hard and I’ve achieved it because I didn’t give up.

This isn’t going to cure your ADHD, but honestly, if you are one of those people who says they can’t do something because of their ADHD, challenge that mindset, break the task down, because I guarantee you can achieve it.  What’s the point in spending your life convincing yourself you cannot do something.  Just like person 1, if life gives you limes, then make margaritas!

Happy Sunday!