ADHD & Executive Dysfunction & How It Really %@%$ With Our Daily Routine
A True Story by PopopThePatriot
My ADHD Coach asked me to track my actions, thoughts, and feelings about some of the things I do because of ADHD Executive Dysfunction. That seemed like a lot of work, and no way I’m going to do that (IYKYK) so I’ve decided to just tell the stories on my Substack in a comedic writing style. I enjoyed it. Let me know if you like this type of content.
Last night, I had an adventure that would make Indiana Jones take a knee & ask for permission to look me in the eye. It all started when I stood up to get my nightly Rx, but as soon as I took a step, my brain reminded me I’m supposed to forget why I stood up.
Suddenly, I remembered I needed a drink. So, I turned and marched to the kitchen like a soldier on a mission. The plan was to grab a cold bottle from the fridge, but then I spotted a giant jug of SunnyD sitting in the beverage cooler of our coffee bar. Oh, SunnyD, my old friend. Without a second thought, I grabbed the jug and realized I need a cup.
But wait, my cup! I forgot my cup. No problem, I just took the whole jug with me to my spot on the sofa, behind which my cup sat upon a shelf, grabbed my cup and, as I turned to walk back to the kitchen, it dawned on me that the distance to my Rx in the bathroom and the beverage cooler in the coffee bar area of our kitchen was the same, but in opposite directions. I had a decision to make, and like a true warrior, I chose the path less traveled.
So, I set off to the bathroom to get my Rx, but then I realized it’s probably more efficient just to detour around the bed, set my cup on my nightstand to fill, and leave my phone on the charger; after all, I was ultimately going to bed but then I realized my ear pods battery needed charged. For us neurodivergents, ear pods are as important as water in the desert. I couldn't survive without them. So, I went to put them on the charging station in the “throne” area of the master bathroom where my Rx are stored. Got them plugged in, but before I grabbed my Rx, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and noticed my beard was looking a bit wild. I couldn't let it go, so I whipped out my trimmer and went to town, got her trimmed, cleaned up and started actually taking my Rx, which is the entire reason I stood up from my spot on the sofa in the first place.
It was at that moment I remembered the SunnyD jug was sitting on my nightstand, and here’s evidence neurodivergents are empathic, that very same moment in time, my wife walked in and asked with a quiet laugh, “why is there a jug of SunnyD sitting on your nightstand?” I tried to explain my wild journey, but all that came out was, "Well, I was just taking my nightlys..." My wife, who has become an expert at dealing with my neurodivergence, just laughed and let me continue on my quest, because she knows when something really weird is going on and I begin my explanation with, “Well…” that’s her queue I was in The Zone.
In the end, I made it back to the kitchen, returned the jug of SunnyD to its rightful place, and finally got my Rx and back to my ice cold SunnyD. It was a journey of a lifetime, filled with twists and turns, but I made it through. Who needs Indiana Jones when you've got Executive Dysfunction?
