16 Things I Want My Fellow ADHD People To Know

Also: an action item: tell a friend! and reading recommendations.

Hanna Keiner (she/her)

Oct 25, 2024

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My dear ADHD people, I want you to know:

You are worthy of love and belonging.
The messiness of your [couch/bedroom/kitchen/closet/etc.] is not a reflection of your character or worth.
You are not too much.
Your energy and enthusiasm, when it sparkles, is so fun to be around.
I feel your love/friendship even when it doesn’t look and sound like neurotypical love/friendship.
Yes, the rollercoaster is exhausting at times.
You are not alone.
I’m here for you when you need me, even when you can’t quite articulate what kind of support you might need.
When they said you were lazy, irresponsible, and too intense, they were wrong.
It’s okay that rest for you doesn’t look like baths and candles and calm music.
My life is a lot more fun and colorful and exciting with you in it. Thank you.
I love you on your hard days.
You don’t owe me fun and spontaneity and energy and joy.
I know that you try really really hard. I wish you weren’t so hard on yourself.
Support is out there and you don’t have to do it all alone.
You deserve to shine and sparkle.
You are worthy of love and belonging (I know I already said it, but it’s worth repeating)

me, in nature, on a sunny fall day, enjoying a good day.

📖 There’s still time to join us for book club (Unmasking Autism by Devon Price), even if you missed the first chapters!

Action item: Tell a friend!

Maybe you’ve noticed a theme - ADHDers can be so hard on themselves and we need your help to remind us.

So, I invite you to pick one statement from the list (or create your own!) and send it to an ADHD person in your life. To make it super easy for you, here is a draft sentence:

Hi [friend], this article about ADHD made me think of you and in case nobody has told you yet today, I want you to know: [insert phrase].

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📖 And finally, not a newsletter, but here’s an easy to read book I enjoyed recently with an ADHD main character (she even explains RSD!): Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings.

If you write about ADHD, feel free to tell us about it in the comments (yes, include your links!).