1. Finally understanding the reason behind my struggles 
  • Before diagnosis, I often did not feel in control but couldn’t understand why I struggled with certain things like drastic energy level fluctuations 🔍
  • Understanding that there is a neurobiological cause is validating but also provided the much-needed explanations 🧩
  • Better understanding of myself and how I show up in the world, and better attuned to my my strengths and weaknesses 🌍
2. Acknowledging that it’s not my fault
  • Being liberated from the shackles of feeling like everything is always my fault 🧘‍♂️
  • Being able to cognitively acknowledge that having a neurological difference is not my fault 🧠
  • An easier time with self-compassion and reminding myself that the blame I received for symptoms I can’t control were undeserved 💗
  • Knowing that I’m not broken, lazy, or stupid, I can reprocess my past experiences through the lens of ADHD 👁️‍🗨️
3. Finding coping strategies that actually work for the neurodivergent brain
  • Finally knowing why many self-help books and podcasts designed for neurotypicals and don’t work for ADHDers 🚧
  • Accessing resources developed for the neurodivergent brain, and getting onboard with the trial and error process
  • Focusing on being persistent, not consistent 🔄
4. Access to medication
  • Being able to access medication has made a world of difference for my concentration, emotional regulation, impulse control, while I still get to preserve my creativity and hyperfocus! 💊
  • Having better executive function indirectly improved my anxiety symptoms 🔑
5. Recognizing my limits and learning stay within it
  • In the past, I chronically pushed myself beyond my limits to function like a “normal” person, such as burning midnight oil catching up on work and school, leaving minimal little energy for my personal life ❌
  • Having growing awareness that living this way is not conducive to good physical and mental health 🔥
  • Knowing my limits and feeling empowered to draw the line, even though my threshold for burnout may be much less than the average person ⚖️
6. Learning to get help for my struggles and seeking ways to accommodate myself 
  • Gradually learning to unmask (nothing wrong with fidgeting and doodling to stay focused in a work meeting with camera off!) 🎭
  • Not being afraid to ask for the level of support and guidance I need in order to set myself up for success🙋‍♀️
  • Avoid “shoulding” all over myself with neurotypical standards. It doesn’t matter how you got to the outcome, your way is totally valid! (e.g. Nothing wrong with needing a grocery list to remember 2 items from the grocery store!) 📝
7. No longer feeling alone
  • There is an amazing ADHD community out there on social media (e.g. Facebook groups) and many creators of podcasts, Youtube channels, and blogs who are there to journey with you 👣
  • The community is so supportive and being a part of them reminds me that I’m not alone 🤗
8. Feeling less stuck
  • I was spinning my wheels and not moving forward in life for many years - my goals never materialized and life slipped past me 🌀
  • Now I feel unstuck and empowered to pursue the life I wanted, and have the confidence that I can indeed pursue my fullest potential 🚀, and that I CAN thrive despite the challenges