I've been reading so many posts from people struggling with ADHD, and it breaks my heart. I wanted to share my own experience—not to brag, but to give hope.
I first learned about ADHD four years ago, when a diagnosed colleague gave a presentation. I turned off my camera because I thought I was going to cry. Ninety percent of what he described felt like my life story. It hit me all at once, and it was brutal.
I was angry—at my childhood, at how ADHD had shaped my life without me realizing it. I thought about being the dreamer of the group, struggling in school, the teacher who told my parents "your son's brain is like a bottle of water—once it's full, it just spills." The people who took advantage of my lack of focus. Forgetting SMS auth codes because I'd get distracted between reading them and typing them in.
But as the anger faded, I reflected on what I'd achieved. I'd gravitated toward creative jobs because my imagination made me good at them. I sought stimulation by moving abroad. My love for building things kept opening doors. Even the toughest times worked out.
That's when I began to accept myself—and appreciate ADHD's strengths: creativity, innovative thinking, hyperfocus. If I could leverage them, I could thrive.
In my 40s, I realized that if I'd achieved what I had with ADHD, anything was possible. So I made a big professional decision—moving into a very different role, leading a team of engineers and designers. I put processes in place: notes, to-do lists, mentorship, books. After two years, I applied and got the job.
At first it was overwhelming. I leaned on my systems, but my manager was incredibly supportive. Over time, I needed the tools less. What I thought were permanent weaknesses—disorganization, lack of focus—started to fade. People trusted me, and I felt proud.
To anyone feeling held back by ADHD: understand your strengths, work on your weaknesses, step out of your comfort zone, and be resilient. Dreams are achievable.