Navigating Life with ADHD

Always Knowing Something Was Up

Nothing quite prepares you for a late ADHD diagnosis. On the surface, no one would have guessed—not even me.

I was blissfully unaware.

Growing up, I was a smart kid, placed in advanced academic programs in high school, and even completed a university degree. Looking back now, the signs were there. My ability to perform, land and keep jobs, and maintain a somewhat functional life kept anyone from questioning it. I was one of the lucky ADHDers.

It wasn’t until the pandemic that I started to notice things unraveling. I could no longer focus in meetings for extended periods. I’d either hyperfocus intensely or not focus at all. Insomnia became a weekly battle, and I found myself constantly trying to numb the endless stream of thoughts running through my mind.

Was it the lockdowns? Possible long-term side effects of COVID? Or a lifetime of unconsciously masking finally catching up with me? I’m not sure of the answer, but two key moments sparked my journey toward an official diagnosis:

• Leading and coaching a team member diagnosed with ADHD. I saw so much of myself in her, but realized I had become better at masking it.

• And then there was the ol’ TikTok algorithm. Suddenly, all these things I thought everyone did...turns out, they didn’t.

That was the beginning of a journey, a deep dive into understanding myself, my brain, and the patterns that had shaped my life.

Daily Challenges of ADHD

This might sound strange to the neurotypical crowd, but every day I need to revisit the “manual” for how I want to live my life. Without it, I become a slave to chasing dopamine. It’s a constant balancing act, holding onto some structure while still allowing my mind the freedom to follow its squirrel-chasing curiosities.

Impulsivity is intense and can quickly spiral out of control. Justifying unnecessary purchases, staying at an afterparty until 10 a.m. the next day, or clinging to the high of a moment at the expense of my future mental and physical health. It’s easy to get addicted to the now.

But the biggest challenge for me is navigating emotions and the fear of being misunderstood because of them. Undiagnosed ADHD in childhood and early adulthood shows up in so many ways. For me, no one could see the internal battles, the hurt I’d feel from others’ actions or the relentless self-criticism I’d spiral into. Growing up as a boy, you’re told not to cry, to wipe that emotion off your face. But what they didn’t understand is how deeply you feel everything.

ADHD isn’t just about being distracted or hyper.

It’s about experiencing the world and yourself at full volume, all the time.

Not Built For A 9 to 5

At work, ADHD would initially show up in small, seemingly insignificant way, a missed detail here, forgetting to write up a report, or finding myself deep down a rabbit hole exploring a new interest. Over time, defiance started creeping in, paired with a strong aversion to injustice. If a process felt clunky, cumbersome, or illogical, I’d instinctively find ways to bypass it.

After years of professional masking and an ever-growing stack of life stressors, I hit burnout in 2024. With a late diagnosis in hand and the process of unpacking everything that led me here, I’m starting to understand what actually works for me in the workplace.

I now recognize that I thrive when I can jump between domains, tackle new and challenging problems, and engage in work that feels genuinely meaningful. This year, I’ve decided to step into the freelance world of Product Management while also helping others like me navigate their journeys. I need to keep things interesting and I’m finally allowing myself to embrace that.

Work isn’t about fitting into a rigid mold anymore. It’s about finding spaces where I can bring my full self to the table and thrive because of it, not in spite of it.

What I Love About Me

Rapid learning and understanding are probably my biggest strengths, paired with boundless energy and creativity…when I’m in the right environment.

My associative thinking allows me to explore divergent ideas and make novel connections between seemingly unrelated things.

A lifetime of feeling different has primed my brain to recognize patterns quickly, letting me predict outcomes faster than most. I’m surprisingly good at guessing plot twists, the ends of movies, and even relationship dynamics before they unfold.

But these strengths come with their drawbacks. I’m a generalist, never a specialist, and it’s often difficult to explain to others how I arrive at the connections I make. Misreading situations is also a risk, especially when I’m feeling sensitive or in “self-protection” mode.

It’s a balancing act. ADHD is both my superpower and my kryptonite. But as I learn to embrace the strengths it brings, I’m also learning to forgive myself for the challenges it presents.

What's The Point of Sharing

Why do I want to share my story? There is nothing like the feeling of not having to explain your soul to another person and they just get it. To read about someone else’s experience and not feel so alone in yourself. To realize there are others who share how you feel and experience the world.

It’s through connecting with others like me that I’ve been able to feel comfortable in my own skin. There’s no better feeling than sitting around a table full of ADHDers, everyone talking about anything, interrupting each other, going on tangents and the whole time, feeling completely accepted and understood.

I hope my story does that for someone else and that they aren’t afraid to share there own.

A Message For Those That Need It

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s this: no matter what stage you’re at in life, understanding yourself and who you really are is invaluable.

There are people out there who will love and cherish everything you bring to the table. Some days will feel like a battle, but you aren’t alone in this. There’s a community of people like me, with shared experiences, who would love to sit with you, talk it out, and remind you that you belong.

You’re not broken. You’re not too much. You’re exactly who you’re meant to be.