5 ms·

Let me start by saying I feel exactly the same way as you. I had a great start in life and then couldn't follow through. In my twenties I had a string of jobs,

Let me start by saying I feel exactly the same way as you. I had a great start in life and then couldn't follow through. In my twenties I had a string of jobs, each lasting less than 6 months. I got diagnosed with ADHD at the start of my thirties. It explains a lot. Now I'm stuck watching my former classmates with their successful careers while I try to scrape together $400 for rent. Staff engineers at Google, CTOs of companies and so on. They likely make more in a year than I'll make in my lifetime. It feels bad. I think a lot of advice on this topic will focus on how to get successful. How to get the job. How to get the house. I think that's the wrong way to go about it. Focus on the small things you already have, however tiny. Actively seeking out the joy in the mundane, everyday things is a great start (and however much money and success you have, your everyday life is usually quite mundane).

Schiendelman 5y ago
Are you being treated for your ADHD?
- annie_muss 5y ago
  I take Concerta (methylphenidate). It helps a little. The hardest thing is getting a job interview when your resume says "Company X June 1st - August 31st" over and over. I started using "organizational systems" when I was very young. Lists, diaries, planners etc. I would put sticky notes on my bedroom door in elementary school to remind myself of things. My personality is quite shy and reserved so in school ADHD never caused problems. The stereotype is a loud child racing around the classroom causing havoc, not someone quietly getting lost in the ocean of their thoughts. The inconsistency is one of the parts that gets to me. Yesterday I was able to study and work on side-projects pretty much all day. At the end of a day like that you start thinking "Maybe things are gonna be ok. Maybe I'm gonna get an ok job and make things work." Then the next day comes. Today I haven't been able to do anything, even though there's essentially no difference between the today and yesterday. How can you make a plan if you have no idea how much you will be able to follow through on your intentions?

Schiendelman 5y ago

Are you being treated for your ADHD?

annie_muss 5y ago
I take Concerta (methylphenidate). It helps a little. The hardest thing is getting a job interview when your resume says "Company X June 1st - August 31st" over and over. I started using "organizational systems" when I was very young. Lists, diaries, planners etc. I would put sticky notes on my bedroom door in elementary school to remind myself of things. My personality is quite shy and reserved so in school ADHD never caused problems. The stereotype is a loud child racing around the classroom causing havoc, not someone quietly getting lost in the ocean of their thoughts. The inconsistency is one of the parts that gets to me. Yesterday I was able to study and work on side-projects pretty much all day. At the end of a day like that you start thinking "Maybe things are gonna be ok. Maybe I'm gonna get an ok job and make things work." Then the next day comes. Today I haven't been able to do anything, even though there's essentially no difference between the today and yesterday. How can you make a plan if you have no idea how much you will be able to follow through on your intentions?