ADHD Speedrun #1: Unboxing ADHD

So there I was, staring at a mountain of unfinished homework and snack wrappers, dramatically declaring, "I can't focus!" To which my parents replied, "You can! You just don’t because you’re lazy!" Classic parental logic, right?

This little showdown was basically my daily routine after school. I knew deep down that there had to be a reason for my struggles. But every time I brought up the idea of getting tested for ADHD, my parents waved it off like I was suggesting we adopt a pet rock.

But then, there was my older brother. The man, the myth, the legend, who could go from guardian angel to drill sergeant in 0.2 seconds. He saw me skibidding my way through life and took it upon himself to drag me to the doctor. I still remember that fateful day – it was the day of my CET entrance exams. Talk about pressure!

After a chat with the psychiatrist and a tense assessment test, the verdict was in: I had severe inattentive type ADHD, not to be confused with the hyperactive kind. Suddenly, everything clicked into place: every missed deadline, forgotten assignment, and all those Pokémon cards I swore I put somewhere safe

That moment felt like a grand unmasking, the weight of perpetual guilt for being “lazy” was lifted off my shoulders like a backpack full of books that my school made us carry!

If you think you might be self-diagnosed, congrats on figuring that out! But seriously, I recommend getting a formal test done. because

Sh*t was never the same again!

As I navigated through the chaos of my mind (think of it like a video game where the map keeps changing), I realized I wasn’t alone in this struggle. Many of us share similar experiences, and that's what sparked the idea behind this newsletter.

I had to build systems to manage my struggles, and let me tell you, that change has been life-altering! Seriously, it’s like opening the inspect element for life. Our brains are meant to speedrun through life, and it’s time we harness that power. This newsletter is designed as a guide for all my fellow ADHDers, helping you create your own custom systems so you can feel less alone and foster a sense of belonging (because who wants to be the lone wolf when you can have a gang of outlaws?).

Every two weeks, we'll dive into the ADHD stuff that I've encountered, learned from, and experienced firsthand—no boring lectures here, just the good stuff! Plus, I’ll curate tools that have made a difference for me or that I plan to try in the future (I promise, they’re more exciting than your average stapler).

I’m excited to share, learn, and grow with all of you. And hey, I want your input! Below, you'll find a link to a form where you can suggest anything else you’d like to see in the newsletter. Your feedback is super valuable, and I can’t wait to hear from you (I’m like a kid waiting for the ice cream truck!).

Let’s do this, Spartans! Give your suggestions here.

Subscribe to the newsletter so it comes tiptoeing into your inbox every fortnight.

See you soon homie,

Ruthicc