Kelsey Alpaio, an editor at Harvard Business Review, shares her experiences and tips for finding the best hobby for individuals with ADHD. Hobbies can enhance well-being, creativity, and cognitive development. If you’re struggling with hobbies, it’s okay to abandon them and find a balance in your life.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing to have hobbies as an adult, as they can help you think about leisure time. Clients may avoid taking up new hobbies due to the need to commit to them long-term and excel, while students may experience anxiety at small steps. Setting expectations to prevent procrastination is crucial, and starting small and specific can help prevent procrastination.
People can give up hobbies due to various reasons, such as losing their appeal or becoming boring. This is a common sign of ADHD, but there are ways to manage it. Creating time to pursue hobbies and passions has been shown to improve workplace performance, mental well-being, and physical health.
To get through the “I Suck at This and Want to Quit” phase of a new activity, remember that you’re still the same person and that quitting is a part of life and can be a wise decision. In American culture, those who give up on a practice, a hobby, or a goal are considered unambitious, lazy, or even a failure. People losing interest in hobbies are more prevalent these days due to the exposure to social media in every nook and corner of our lives.
In summary, finding balance in your ADHD brain, overcoming unrealistic expectations, and finding hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment can help you maintain a healthy balance in your life.
📹 Why You Keep Quitting | ADHD Job Switching & Boredom Burnout
ADHD job switching is a BIG deal in our community. Not because we switch jobs so much, but because there’s a lot of shame …
Do I have ADHD or am I just lazy?
Laziness is a lack of effort or concern, while people with ADHD put in effort and care, often feeling upset or frustrated when tasks are incomplete or incorrect. Many adults who had symptoms of ADHD as children were never diagnosed but still have ADHD. As adults, their symptoms may be less noticeable but make it difficult to manage daily life. To determine if you have ADHD, work with a health professional, who may assess you, perform psychological testing, and possibly consult a family member to determine if ADHD is present or if it can be ruled out.
What are ADHD fixation hobbies?
Hyperfixation, a phenomenon where one’s attention is devoted to a particular activity, can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the individual. For instance, someone with ADHD may be fully engaged in a task, completing it without distraction. However, hyperfixation can also interfere with daily tasks, such as forgetting important tasks. Despite this, the overflow of attention in adults with ADHD can be beneficial. By learning to manage attention better, individuals can maintain focus on the task and achieve their goals.
Why do I lose interest in hobbies so easily?
Loss of interest can be a sign of a mental health condition, such as depression, stress, or substance misuse. Depression is a key symptom, while stress can lead to burnout and loss of motivation. Substance misuse can also cause interest loss and withdrawal from activities, friends, and conflict. If symptoms are due to a mental health condition, a doctor may recommend treatments. Self-care strategies can help motivate oneself and get back on track.
Losing interest can be caused by various factors, such as a lack of motivation, a change in environment, or a change in personal beliefs. Seeking medical attention is recommended when experiencing a loss of interest.
Why do people with ADHD lose interest?
ADHD can pose significant challenges in romantic relationships, as attention shifts quickly due to differences in the brain. During the early stages of a relationship, individuals with ADHD may focus intensely on the romance and new partner, generating feelings of connection, love, and validation. However, this focus can quickly shift, leaving the new partner wondering what has happened. ADHD can cause difficulty focusing, leading to a loss of sight of how frequently the person pays attention to their partner and the matters that matter to them. This can cause the new partner to feel uncared for or ignored, affecting the overall success of the relationship.
Why do none of my hobbies make me happy anymore?
Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD can cause severe feelings of unhappiness, lack of motivation, and disinterest in activities that used to bring joy. These conditions can make you feel numb or nothing at all. Treatment for serious mental health conditions may involve antidepressant medications. Life situations and circumstances can also contribute to feelings of unhappiness, such as poor sleep, unhealthy eating, work-related stress, burnout, and long hours. These factors can affect your emotions and body, and may require professional help to alleviate symptoms. It is essential to seek professional help if you experience feelings of unhappiness.
Why am I losing motivation for my hobbies?
Anhedonia, a symptom of depression, is defined as a loss of interest that can significantly impact various aspects of an individual’s life, including relationships, sexual health, work productivity, and the enjoyment derived from leisure activities. It is postulated that this condition is caused by low serotonin levels. If one finds oneself experiencing difficulties in deriving pleasure from life, it is important to note that such experiences are not uncommon. This guide presents a series of coping strategies for individuals grappling with anhedonia, thereby facilitating the ability to continue enjoying life.
Why do people with ADHD lose interest in hobbies?
It is not uncommon for individuals to experience fluctuations in their level of interest in hobbies. This phenomenon may appear to be a source of concern to those who observe it, but it is essential to recognize that each hobby entails a unique set of costs and time commitments.
Why am I avoiding my hobbies?
Many people neglect their hobbies due to internal narratives that may prevent them from pursuing them. These narratives may stem from upbringing, society, and life experiences. Three top reasons people neglect their hobbies include the belief that they are not productive, which is a prevalent narrative in the twenty-first century. In a capitalist world, productivity is valued, but instead of compartmentalizing it as something to achieve at work, people internalize it. Challengeing these narratives can help individuals find pleasure and meaning in their hobbies and pursue their passions.
Why can’t I stay interested in hobbies?
Disinterest can be due to feelings of uninspiration or loss of interest in old hobbies, but it can also indicate a mental health condition like depression. If this loss is making it difficult to cope or interferes with your life, it is crucial to seek help from a physician or mental health professional. Depression can worsen over time, so it is essential to seek help as soon as possible to regain your passion for the things that bring joy. Verywell Mind uses high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support its articles, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness.
Do people with ADHD lose interest?
Adults with ADHD often experience excitement in new hobbies, jobs, careers, or organizations, but this excitement can eventually decrease and lead to losing interest. Research suggests that satisfaction comes from pursuing goals that you care deeply about, which are often the most passionate about in life. However, passion wanes over time, so focusing on happiness may not help you stick with an endeavor.
Common symptoms of ADHD, such as impulsivity, inattention, and novelty seeking, can be strengths in finding the passion or purpose that motivates you. ADHD symptoms can spark creativity or curiosity, and a good treatment plan can help you follow through on new ideas that emerge.
Why do people with ADHD switch hobbies?
ADHD sufferers often find hobbies to be a positive way to release extra energy and curiosity, and sometimes avoid important tasks in their lives. However, maintaining a passion for hobbies can be challenging for those with ADHD, as they often lose interest easily and struggle to maintain focus for extended periods. Many hobbies are given up in favor of other activities, such as sports, fantasy books, musical instruments, photography, or video games.
In ADHD patients, they are bursting with creativity, enthusiasm, and excitement, which can turn into obsessions within a week. The journey of hobby development begins with curiosity, where the brain acquires knowledge about the interest and engages in impulsivity and hyperactivity. This curiosity leads to daydreaming and a desire to pursue the idea with impulsivity and hyperactivity.
The excitement stage involves becoming devoted to and talking nonstop about the new hobby, often with strong hopes for success. Hyperfocus occurs when the focus is on arranging everything for the hobby to succeed or researching related material in one sitting. This can lead to obsession and neglect of important daily activities.
In summary, hobbies can be a valuable tool for managing ADHD symptoms, but it is crucial for individuals with ADHD to maintain a passion for their hobbies and avoid neglecting important tasks.
📹 Why Men SHOULDN’T Give Up Hobbies & Friendships
Covered in this video, the biggest mistake men make with women, and their hobbies & friendships. Watch the full episode here: …
Wow, thanks for this article 🙏🏼 My family thinks I am absolutely crazy that I switch jobs so much- I have a passion for learning and I feel stuck and depressed once a job becomes too repetitive. I created a article marketing business which I took full-time but realised how boring it was sitting there editing the same type of marketing article day after day..I also got bored of marketing and article all together. I am now switching to Virtual Reality development which I think will be an exciting field for me because there’s so many ways to be creative and build things that aren’t reliant on normal limitations of the physical world. Thanks for giving this perspective, I’ve felt shame about this my whole life and everyone around me thinks I am dumb or immature but this explains it!
I was a nurse for just over 10 years. Everyone close to me acts as if I’ve committed a sin because I’m not working in my field. They are only looking at money. I am looking at happiness. I was burned out. I feel as if I should be happy while making money, not be miserable making money. I’m currently looking into other fields.
I’m 40 and it just dawned on me a couple days ago that I might have ADHD. I’m a chronic job-hopper and have spent over $20k on degrees/certifications that I never finished. Nothing seems to hold my interest for more than a few weeks or months (or even days!) before I get bored and want to move on. All of the information I’ve been taking in about ADHD has been so illuminating and validating. Thanks for your work!
After attempting to switch careers multiple times and not graduating from like 6 different programs, I now do feel embarrassed because nothing ever works out. I used to openly tell friends and family about a new job or a new program I was starting. But after so many failures it’s hard to open up without feeling judged and embarrassed.
I experience burnout within less than a month at jobs. I struggle to understand how other people with ADHD can hold jobs for years, and I feel like a failure in comparison. I think my bipolar depression also plays a role in burnout. “The world was not built for ADHDers, it was built for neurotypicals, where people expect you to be interested in things for long periods of time” Never thought about it that way, but that really puts everything in perspective. Thank you. 🙏🏾
I’m 25 years old and have already had about 10 different jobs in my life, and have thought of about 20 different business ideas that I’ve struggled to build. I’ve felt great shame about this in the past but this is a lovely way of looking at it that I am going to try and adopt. Thank you for your perspective.
I can truly relate to this. Never really thought of this ever. I have really struggled to keep myself at a job for long periods of times and some of my friends have definitely questioned it and I get so embarrassed by it. I just can’t be routine, but at the same time I have bills to pay and if I do something I hate for a long time it’s a personal hell. ADD definitely has its challenges but it has its perks in ways. Thank you for this article 🙂
I struggle with this on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, though. I already want to quit a job I’ve had for 3 weeks and change direction. In one day I can cycle through 5 job ideas and genuinely feel each one. I’d be happy if I could commit for even 6 months. I feel a lot more dysfunctional than articles like this 🙁
it sucks to be viewed as a job hopper from neurotypical employers but my cycle of staying interested only lasts about 6 months before i want change again, it sucks because i do genuinely enjoy my jobs but i just cant sick with them. its been really getting to me lately that i cant figure out what my “thing” is like what i want to do for the rest of my life because of my constatly changing intersts
ADHDer here who also coaches. I think the perspective you gave here is very helpful because it’s so important to get rid of that shame and guilt that we deal with. However I also believe that there’s another side to this: identifying opportunities that you will stick to so you can grow them for a long time, by becoming really aware of what motivates you intrinsically and leveraging that. Would love to have a conversation with you where we compare our experiences and learn from each other, which we can also publish. Let me know if you’re interested. Keep up the good work you’re doing❤
Hi ! I don’t usually comment on articles but thank you so so much for sharing your perspective on this hard topic. I am in my first nine to five desk job, and I am putting so much pressure on myself to not quit this job. Your article was very liberating, and I hope one day I’ll feel the same as you do about myself ! Also, I fell like so many articles on ADHD in corporate world is about battling it and not fully accepting it like you do, one more reason your article is a godsend 🙂 Thank you from the bottom of my heart (and from France) !
Yes, yes,yes!!! My husband is always asking why my son and I keep bouncing from one thing to the next (hobbies)…. And here is the explanation. This makes total sense. Thank you. I know I feel a lot of guilt and shame for not sticking with things long term. It is so frustrating because I lose interest so quickly and then quit. I do wish I can pursue hobbies, workout plans etc for longer. I think constantly jumping from one thing to the next affects my ability to make progress.
Really appreciate this article and your website!! Currently trying to learn how to manage the intense shame I feel from bouncing between so many unfinished projects and developed but un-executed goals and ideas. Your point about strategically selecting what you go with to make your past (and future) experience relevant resonates with me, I’ve been practicing that recently and it helps a lot! This plus some other acceptance techniques have allowed me to get a lot better at allowing myself to drop something and come back to it in a couple months, especially when I’ve selected something I know I’ll want to return to 🙂
I am not sure I have ADHD but I resonate with this and I agree. I have worked for over ten different jobs in 24 years and counting. When you transpose your experience and work though what you enjoy, even if it’s “just a year” you can honestly bring so much value. You can also be very successful as this notion of decades long job loyalty doesn’t really exist everywhere anymore. Currently Im enjoying how much variety and challenges being a business owner brings.
Finally someone who gets me. I can relate to most of what you shared. Recently tested and confirmed to have adult ADD, it explains a lot about my life, my career and why I find myself in the same patterns. I have not yet figured out what I want to do next but it explains why I am continually burnt out by the things that are not right for me. I’ll take a look into your other articles. I keep searching for the perfect job to stay at forever But this has opened my mind to think maybe I need the perfect 2 year job that will build me for the next one. Thanks for producing this.
I got a lot of clarity about myself after being diagnosed with ADHD recently. I am on meds. It’s actually helping me a lot in terms of undivided attention and also my impulsivity has come down. In addition to this, I do a lot of mindfulness meditation which helps me observe my thoughts without reacting to it. And I believe that persistence is important to be successful in any profession. But if the skills are transferrable to some other profession you are lucky. Some skills aren’t transferrable. For instance, I worked as a Counselor for 4 months, then researcher for 8 months, now I am planning to be a professor. I feel I am all over the place but I hope in the future I will be able to stick to something because there’s a lot of guilt which comes when you impulsively quit a job and later you realize that the job was actually good! I think it’s better if we learn to handle our boring job by making it interesting or being more self-aware of our own thoughts. We don’t have to react to every thought right? We can just observe the thoughts, take a deep breath, and proceed.
So helpful! Thank you. I have found that being a content creator allows me to switch things up and keep things interesting. And I chose this career 12 years ago when I had no idea about ADHD. I’ve been able to change the entire content of what I share a few times as well! And because I work for myself, I can decide my hours better and keep a flexible schedule.
I’m 26 and Im on my 11th job! I excel quickly so when I do quit, my managers are blind sided and I’m left feeling so bad! But I literally feel so unfulfilled and bored after a short amount of time. This explains so much and confirms my suspicions of having ADHD. Ofc I will still take the necessary steps to get diagnosed properly but it feels so relieving to know what is causing these work burn outs and now I can formulate a plan moving forward. I appreciate the tips and I will be binging your articles for sure!
I have lived with this my whole life and am thinking about medication at this point. I’ve left or been fired from every job. I have been stuck in the home health field since 2014 “waiting to make my next move” but that hasn’t materialized into what I believe would be enough of a starting point to start my “career” in any of my hobbies. I have always viewed my writing and songwriting as my life’s work but have been losing faith in my ability to even put myself out there and connect with those I would need to, in order to help achieve my dreams of getting my stories out there. Also there’s the whole “sitting down and writing thing” I have to do. I don’t read books but I expect myself to write them. Yes. I have YouTube addiction that is at play as well. I find myself doing everything from chores to errands to exercise, everything under the sun EXCEPT work on my creative works. I’ve been dealing with this off and on my whole adult life and have very high standards for what I want to create and put out there. I don’t know how to solve this problem. Burnout keeps on happening, after I do one small thing. I wrote my first short story in February and haven’t really gotten back into it since. Produced one cover song (badly) from Jan to March, and haven’t recorded anything since. April was rest month, and now it’s May. It feels like I have the weight of the world on me, and all I can do is force myself to let go and have self love and forgiveness and hope I recharge soon so I can make myself get back at that grind.
This is 1000% me. I had no idea i was ADHD until this year. I always thought there’s no way I am because Im not hyper. That was always my thought. Then I listened to a Mel Robbins podcast on the subject and everything she said described me. Everyyyything. Then a creative friend of mine told me he was diagnosed and he and I are like twins so…I started looking into it more. Your articles describe me to a TEEE! I feel SO seen. I currently sing, bartend, part time at a credit union (and struggling with the idea of full time because I DON’T know how they do it every day, day in and out the same things over and over), I clean a couple large homes once a month, I type notes for hard of hearing college students, and I bartend for a football league. Every time I think of doing one thing full time the stability aspect makes me feel good but the rest of it makes me feel absolute dread. And I always always feel guilty and ashamed about my eclectic life, and some of the people in my life shame me for it like I’m a loser or something for not having one full time job. Thank you for seeing me!!! I feel better already honestly.
I just recently lost ANOTHER job, I was completely burnt out!! Of course I’m struggling through the shame and financial insecurity this has created yet again. I am 43 yrs old and have just realized in the last 2-3 years that I have struggled my whole life with ADHD. My son was diagnosed a couple of years ago which lead me to research ADHD. Talk about “AHA” moment!?!?! I have yet to be diagnosed bc I am a recovering addict and feel like any time I try to talk to a Dr about this kind of stuff, they think I’m med seeking. I AM med seeking!!!! I’m seeking something that can help me focus and get through the day. With three teenagers, I very often feel burn out and I freeze up and do nothing. Which leads to guilt and shaming myself for being lazy….. it’s a vicious cycle. I know that this has attributed to anxiety and depression too. I am so thankful to have found you Caren! You have helped me process a lot of emotions surrounding my ADHD. I have never watched a YouTube article that hit home more than yours do!! Thank you for being you. I think you’re extremely intelligent, articulate, and I look forward to perusal all of your articles!! ❤
I’m struggling so hard right now. I left retail 2 months ago for a new job, but some things happened and I wasn’t able to attend the training. So, I’ve been jobless and looking but nothing sounds interesting and it gets depressing. I love learning and I was going back to school for Computer Science because the other company was paying for it. Now, I have to find another company that has that program or find a way to pay out of pocket. Sometimes I wish I could just get paid to go to school full-time.
I don’t know if the world really expects you to be interested in one thing for a long time. I think the world just expects you to be totally fine with doing things for a long time that don’t interest you– which kind of makes me sad for them. As for not sticking with a job for a long time– I have lost count of how many jobs I have had in the last 20 years. What I have concluded is that what matters more than how you make your money is how you manage it. As long as you manage your money well enough to pay your bills, meet your goals and put away for retirement, then what does it matter what is funding that? (Well, as long as it isn’t illegal or immoral.)
this put my mind at ease. I have had over 10 jobs since the age 14. Only 1 has made me think it could be a career, which is the job I have now. I am almost 4 months into my job as a tile installer, 98% of the time I do the uncreative part of the job. which leaves me drained and un satisfied every day. My burn out has gotten to a point where I feel depleted in everyday. I have mounts of inspiration and ideas for a business actually many business ideas, I am burnt out from my current employment and lack faith in myself and my potential. I was loosely diagnosed with ADD, but from what I have learned I definitely struggle with it, for now but ofc there are always solutions! hope this reaches people who might have a similar obstacle.
Ive quit college courses, evening classes, loads of jobs, relationships for the past 20 years. I start off really enthusiastic thinking this is it and this is what i want to do and then a little while in im either completely bored or lose interest completely. I hate mundane repetitive tasks. Sitting down at a desk for 8 hours a day with a computer and phone with another person on the end is not for me. I hate spreadsheets and reading emails its the most boring thing in the world for someone who has adhd. Im 53 and not having a regular income in the UK right now sucks!
Wow, if you want a constant learning challenge at work, try being a software developer. Endless challenge every day. My interest peters out before I even learn a job to a decent level. I struggle to continue learning after a while. I want that comfortable routine where I feel like I’m doing well in a job and I know what I’m doing.
I’ve never been at a job longer than 10 months. Been to 3 different colleges with no degrees or certifications done. The only reason I try to work a regular job is due to my business not providing steady income for me. I was diagnosed with ADHD last year but I knew I had it all along. It has definitely impacted my life in a negative way since middle school
Adhd people are not 9 to 5 people They need to utilize different skills, talents to keep themselves stimulated, perhaps a desk job is not the best choice, being physically active, martial arts, aerobics etc are good for the brain, body. Executive functions, planning are essential, coaching to avoid poor judgment. Taking brakes, will help
Thank you so much! I have taken on a lot of criticism, mostly from myself, about my frequent changes in hobbies and career moves, but you’ve reminded me that the vast range of things I’ve done has given me an arsenal of skills and knowledge to offer in my next phase. I felt I’d hit rock bottom for giving up on everything in life, and even though I still have great ideas I no longer act on anything because I’ll just “fail” at that too. You’ve encouraged me to try to find nd my “mojo” again.
This article is so validating. I’ve been in social work for three years now. Ive thought about switching careers again (I studied engineering) sooo many times but then I remember why I got into this work. The flexibility and constant change keep me going. I also need a stable income for my hobbies, which I’m always trying to monetize. I can’t seem to help it (brainstorming happens on autopilot) and it can be really exhausting. I’m undiagnosed but pretty sure I have ADD.
Throughout much of my life, I had ADD or ADHD. I didn’t know it when I was young. No one really did. I seemed to always be the class clown, couldn’t concentrate on anything for any length of a period of time, and generally thought I was the dumbest person in the world. It seemed that my whole life was lived in a constant state of euphoria and burnout. I would go like hell and then collapse. Huge swings of adrenaline and then nothing. I was always working out in my youth and that was probably what saved me in a certain way. I seemed to have endless streams of energy until I didn’t. As a result of all this, it seemed (to this day) that I could never do a job properly. I seemed to bluff my way through life never really understanding what or why I was doing things. Gravitating always to coffee or something to give me an extra charge. Then I had children. As much as I love them to death I sometimes wish that whatever I have should have died with me when my time comes. They all have whatever I have to a degree. My daughter is just like me and I shudder at the life she is going to have to live. You often feel trapped in your own body and mind. It generally leads to depression too or anxiety disorder because you wonder when the next screw-up is going to happen. The funnier part is I am a behavior psychologist lol. I know the etiology well. Anyway nice to see you coaching. I probably will seek help soon.
I’m a professional musician, but have always had part time jobs to supplement what I earn with music. I tend to always choose music-adjacent jobs (even as a custodian at a music school — I loved that job!), and in that way my daily work experience yields new inspiration and insight that I can take to my own craft. This article definitely helped me feel validated for my choices which have caused me to receive criticism at times but have always felt like intelligent moves to me.
Oh my god, this was so insightful. I’m not sure whether I have ADHD or not but I do feel identified with most of the symptoms. Specially with this one. I have changed my focus in my career every few years and I realized that I love changing career paths, learning new things. I haven’t changed the career itself but the area of focus. Now I’m at a point where for the first time I’m thinking of a career change. I feel identified with the cycle from loving the job to burnout. Thanks for doing this article!
I quit because I wasn’t sleeping. When I took medication to help me sleep, I wouldn’t hear my alarm to get up and get ready for work. Of course I was late. It also drove me psychologically insane!! I tried turning off my iPad and taking my meds early and even that wasn’t working. I see a sleep doctor soon. My ex was a schizophrenic and had bipolar disorder. He was also self medicating by drinking. Because of that, I had a hard time sleeping and that cycle was for almost 10 years. Now I’m suffering and Idk how to deal with getting some actual sleep!! 😩
Wish I could get a job not likely no one is hiring me. I have such a bad resume with such long gaps in my work history there no way in hell anyone is hiring me. My last job was over 10 year ago. I would like to work but there is just no way I can get my foot in the door. And all the jobs I have had were awful. The first job I could get with my education level was cleaning the inside of a slaughterhouse. School is not easy if you have ADHD on top of dyslexia. I was pretty much treated like I didn’t exist in school to the point I didn’t learn to read till I was 15 went they finally decided maybe I need some help so they payed for two year of good education for people with learning differences and I score high on test and did very well. Then I got sent back to high school were I failed badly and dropped out. Not sure what the hell a high school drop out ADHD and dyslexia post to do for work when there no hope of getting your foot in the door
Yeah, this article DEFINITELY resonated with me… I have a supported employment specialist who I’ve stressed out (I feel) with all my different career ideas. I basically come up with new career ideas once every week, and she was suggesting that I get tested for ADHD with my Voc Rehab specialist. I’ve literally thought of every kind of career out there. I do have some passions and hobbies, but I feel as though I have used up all of my ideas. For example, last week I wanted to be a beauty esthetician, and this week, I wanted to be a dental hygienist – two things that have nothing in common with one another – and I’m already thinking of doing something else other than dentistry. I mean, it sounds like a good idea, but I’m afraid I’m not going to stick with it, just like all my other jobs and ideas! 😩 fuck. LMAO
Thanks a lot 🙏 for your info…. but seriously today’s world is not meant for people like us if we belong to a financially struggling class of society… I am from India, and my god, at this age I really feel so lost, which I am not supposed to … and had I not been lucky, God know where the hell I would have been 😅😅😅
I was in construction and my god it was like the worst field for me as an ADHDer. So much processes and protocols to follow. Every things is standardized and its so hard for my ADHD brain to concentrate. I am thinking of pivoting into software engineering. Anyone here with ADHD who is a software developer? What are your thoughts or experiences?
during the 1980s I changed jobs 5 times quite impulsively, in other words thoughtlessly, and the 5 times I made the decision I finally felt the sensation of being free, of controlling the situation, to undo what I did and this feeling usually disappeared after two or three days. on the fourth day it was necessary to face the situation in which my impulsiveness and thoughtlessness put me and to assume the consequences of my choice (that of a social and economic hara-kiri) and that is not what one would call a choice. in September 90 I was recruited for my sixth job and after 3 years I was seized again by this “desire” to throw everything away in the name of my freedom, my personality, my choices, my… my. .. my … etc, etc, . this time I have the reflex to ask a colleague who lives in a big city to make an appointment for me in a psychiatric practice. the day of the appointment, I show up at the psychiatrist to explain to him that I must urgently take sick leave to avoid making a mistake or rather the same mistake for the sixth time, namely that of quitting my job only to regret it 3 or 4 days later. the psychiatrist granted me 2 weeks of sick leave and that’s how I was able year after year to arrive safely until retirement. it was not easy to keep my job for 27 years until retirement because I was always obsessed with the idea of throwing everything away for … nothing in return and that of course had a heavy impact on my qualitative and quantitative performance. over time I realized that I worked more when I was alone and I also learned to make lists of all the tasks I had to do during the week and I realized that work which was spread over 5 working days could in fact be done in 2 and a half or 3 days at the most (strange!
I did landscaping for 4 years. It was very hard work. But it was always interesting. I quit because I just wanted something less physically demanding. I got a new job in a ware house. I’ve been there 5 months and I’m so damn bored out of my mind. It’s literally the same thing over and over and over. It’s easy…. no thinking or problem solving but good lord it is mind numbing.
Ive wondered if i have adhd. Been through 4 jobs at 26 now, and i find stocking to be a nice, calming experience. But, i do get bored and find myself delaying my morning to not go to work and ive always wondered why.. I said that this is ridiculous, i need this job, why am i doing this? Maybe i do have adhd and its just my brain saying we need something more exciting right now ..
I quit everything companies/businesses paint pictures that are not real or up to my expectation…The longest I’ve done one thing was when I was working for myself doing photo/video work I did a lot of real estate for consistent work since interest rates have gone up I haven’t been able to find anything I like or that is fair to me as an employee. Worked in a media department and then they downsized 6months after I started by letting me go, went to carpentry, then to property insurance back to carpentry which I have been here for a month and I’m ready to quit
It’s almost July, 2023. I’ve just discovered your website… it absolutely resonates with me. Add in Cptsd, HSP, age, and related solo living in a community that doesn’t feel comfortable, what fun! I learn… discover… know & understand … But self care has had only intermittant attention for brief periods in my life. It’s up to me. But my energy, drive, care, etc. need consistency I find myself unable to establish at this post formal “working,” stage. I understand too well, too early, behaviors of relatives, friends, who aged before me. Today’s world is upside down from, we are creating an inhospitable environment in all possible ways – people, community, economic opportunities, our physical, emotional, educational, social, economic & political and psychological arenas. There is a powerful pull of hopelessness…
I’ve never been tested for, or diagnosed with, ADHD or anything of the sort but this does really resonate with me. Perhaps I need a test… This has been my reality ever since I left school. I’ve probably had more jobs than most people twice my age have had, as well as having tried my hand at higher education multiple times, and I’ve always felt ashamed when I throw in the towel. It has really frustrated me and this feeling has almost controlled my life. But I just know that when I get to that certain point, I can’t continue. I also don’t think I’m the only one in my family like this, my mum seems to be very much the same.
For the first time in my life I stuck to a course for 18 months in IT, going great 6 months into the job but now inside 3 weeks I just want to walk away. I’m so bored yet stressed. I’m not going to last 2 years and I cannot see anyway for me to skill up and pivot out. I trained to be an engineer yet 99% of the job is translating what the trivial statements of clients and bosses mean which is exhausting because none of it comes naturally. Honestly I don’t think I’ve loathed both computers and other people this much in my life, I can’t pay attention to everything demanded of me and constantly make simple time consuming mistakes. Yet I’m stuck. I half pray I’m fired so I can at least claim unemployment yet rationally it closes the door on future earnings in the field.
I’m not sure if I have ADHD. (I’m going to a appointment soon) But I’m 20 with a wife and child. And since I was 18 I’ve been working but since then I’ve had 14 jobs. As I’m typing this I just impulsively quit my job. I feel like my wife is getting tired of my actions and to be honest I am too. I just want to be happy and not cause my family to struggle 💔
Mine is not so much boredom because I have a job that there there’s many things for me to do and it’s fast paced, and I get to move around a lot, so I’m very thankful for that but it’s knowing how little money I make and knowing how horrible our finances are right now, it just feels like an impossible problem and going to work for $15 an hour when I can barely buy anything for $15 is very disheartening and just kind of makes you just want to give up and I don’t want to feel like that I want to I just want to feel That innocence again that I used to feel the excitement of going to work and earning a dollar but our government in our economy has stolen that for me I can’t even buy my kids a pair of jean shorts like honestly it’s gotten that bad and I just and then I was thinking about the big picture and I’m like I even told my boss and like OK even if I could get myself to work on time or closer to one time I would still only be making Between 20 and $30,000 a year and I’ve been there for almost 8 years. It’s disgusting when you think of how much interest costs on everything when you think of how much taxes cost gas groceries how can they be OK with paying someone so little, especially someone that they know is raising kids, I just get very discouraged because I don’t know how I got so far away from being able to provide the things that they need or even be able to take them on a vacation or anything I don’t know how to get back to that sense of wonder you know like anything is possible that’s all I want is to feel that again and of course I’m here because I have severe ADHD maybe more than likely Some Asperger‘s everything is hard for me.
I have been learning the last year or more that undiagnosed ADHD in my life has been such a huge culprit in way too many aspects in my life. And even though I feel like I have a good grasp of its weight on my life, this short little article really opened my eyes because this is by far one of the hugest parts of it and how it affects my life. I mean it is almost a cycle of negative events with my working life and I’m constantly beating myself up and living n fight or flight because of the stress it causes. I have this inner battle with myself daily wondering why I feel like I am so capable in my own head and I feel like its a good thing that I enjoy learning and wanting more from life.. but then the cycling in and out of jobs just really deters any positive thoughts I have and I start spiraling.I wish I could truly find work that I want to stick with because I am so not lazy and I so enjoy the structured life it gives me. But at the same time, my brain also wants to always be doing something new and different. I struggle so much with figuring out how to combine the two in an effective way. I am so glad I stumbled across this article and your page. It gives me just a glimmer of hope that maybe it will be okay or maybe it will get better. Because to be honest right now, I am struggling with this day in and day out. I am exhausted. And don’t want to be. Thank you for this….
Um totally get this. I can’t stick to anything for very long. I find most things get boring. Particularly along the traditional linear career path. Finding it very hard to get ahead. Tried so many things and, if it’s OK to say, i am quite good at most so once I get over the initial challenge of learning something new of course it gets old and I want to try something else. It seems like my family think I’m forever lost and dissapointed that I have lots of talents but can’t stick to anything long term. Idk, too much thinking. That’s my real issue
For me I don’t think it’s adhd. I’m a minimalist by nature and I don’t value money. Don’t get me wrong.. you have to have it to live but I don’t care to be rich or wealthy. For me it’s that most jobs require you to give all your time and force you to neglect yourself and your own needs. I have Crohn’s disease a form of ibd and I have to follow a certain diet, I need a little more sleep than most, I need plenty of exercise and sunlight. Whenever I get a job I can never negotiate with the company to meet my needs and working a job is a two way street. How am I able to be a good worker and loyal to a company if I’m not able to take care of myself?
Thank you for the article. I kinda… Waited too much and now i am burnt out. I literally can’t do anything, don’t like anything, don’t look forward to anything, i just want to not be. I feel bad because i can’t help it. I wanted to leave my job and started looking for a new one but ended up in this situation i just described. My friends and psychologist are against me leaving the job and i understand why, but i literally can’t cope anymore. Unfortunately i have yet 9 payments (8 months) to do for a laptop i got myself out of impulsiveness. I started asking for help to anyone anywhere, blaming my stupid brain for putting myself in this situation. No one knew how to help and i felt (still feel) kinda hopeless, because it’s my brain and it’s just how it works, but neurotypical people are not used to it and won’t understand. I can’t ask for a big break at work and it probably would be useless anyway, but it’s the only job i could do and that hired me even though my record(?) was all over the place… I feel like it would be impossible for me to find another job and especially that i wouldn’t escape it the first week. I just want to talk with other adhders because i feel like i shouldn’t listen to nts for these things. They make me feel inappropriate and even “crazy”. Thanks to this article i feel less “stupid”, hopefully i find another way to make money soon, but now i have to heal. I must. I’m not a spoiled brat. I was pretty much set on ending my life today or tomorrow, but i feel better knowing i don’t have to comply to this neurotypical world.
Play in the same field just play different roles. For example, I work as a strength coach, and massage therapist and soon I will be an esthetician….the field would be fitness/beauty…. As you can see, I play different roles, however they are all interrelated in a way. When I do massage, I use my knowledge of biomechanics from being a strength coach and anatomy. soon i will be doing facials on top of massage. When I work as a strength coach, I use my massage skills on some injured athletes. I recommend this approach vs specializing in completely different things (ie, engineer, nurse, tech)…..you will be all over the place and never build a solid resume/skillset.
IM the same but i don’t think its ADHD for me. IM just bored with life….people…places…jobs etc. Everything is boring and just doesn’t interest anymore. I usually work a job for 2 yrs or less, because after a few months im ready to go. I prefer not to connect and make friends with co workers simply because I outgrow them in such a short period of time. Im just not interested in what they have to say, do or feel sadly. Im not sure why but Life in the 90s/very early 2000s was such fun to me……but im guessing its because i was young….
I can really relate to this. Even though there is some jobs, it tends to be more stressfull ones, where I tend to stay longer. But overall, I feel like, I dont rush the quitting, but there is this sense of the job being meaningless and then I notice how bad managment is and so on all the way to wanting nothing more, but quit. Makes it hard sometimes to feel like progressing in live. Also little sidenode, how do I say this without sounding rude, but the headspace in this article seems a nod too much. It makes you seem smaller and the over all frame somewhat odd. Hope this helps. 😊
Choose jobs that are different everyday. For example, I substitute teach & I also pet sit. Everyday is different. I go to different schools, different places, meet new people, new animals, on a regular basis. I hate monotony. It’s so depressing and I always wonder how some people can wake up and do the exact same thing everyday. I would lose my mind!
I have left jobs because the pay isn’t great the task are dangerous and the commute to get there is the worst especially when you have to get up early and you couldn’t sleep the night before but I know we will all succeed it does suck because the embarrassment of your family and you thinking your a failure is the worst but I’ll try to keep my chin up stay bless everyone.
Yes, this article is for me. Also, when working Jobs if I am working a task I have to stay focus on the task or my productivity will fade. At my job they stop me alot while I am working to work on something for them mid shift. Then expect me to re focus on previous work. It makes it a little difficult. Thanks for sharing this article.
The longest job I have ever held was in my career of physical therapy. I was able to specialize in so many different areas and try outpatient, inpatient, Acute Care in hospital, Burns intensive care unit, etcetera. After I knuckle down on the specialty of amputees and Prosthetics training I switched two more jobs inside the field because both promised I would see more amputees, but I didn’t. This led me to feel very unfulfilled and that’s the three or four years I’d spent building up the expertise was wasted which seriously disenfranchised me. Also the documentation required in the medical field is asinine and redundant which required me to spend 2 hours at home every night for the last 4 months of my career working on patient notes. Move to a job working in a factory and I’m about to go in and quit that job today
Definitely resonates, for me it is around 2 years or less, unless it’s a bad job then it’s as soon as I find something else lol. When I start with a new company I’m on fire, and stay on fire for as long as we’re super busy. When things chill out and get routine I notice I start to find things wrong with the job and start looking for something else, & since I’m very skilled at what I do it’s not hard to find greener grass, but the problem is I’m mid 30s now and need to start thinking about building a retirement….
I like things for 3 months tops.. it is hell 😅 how can I change this, or even better, how can I adapt to it? I can’t just switch around jobs cause every time I do that I need more time to recover. And now I’ve got my own business ‘so I can switch’ but still 3 months in.. same feeling 😅. I’m a beekeeper, selling my honey, but I like knife sharpening,.. nothing to do with honey.. I can’t just switch and do that for the coming 3 months and then just switch again 🙈
I’m 36 and I can’t pick a career to save my life. I’ve been in my job for over a decade but the experience doesn’t transfer to a higher earning career ehich I need to pursue. I’m labouring through the second year of my second Master’s becaise I want to quit because I’m soo over it. Really considering accounting because I do better in structured, and more math amd logic related courses. I’m worried about my careless mistakes and mind wandering and of course… wanting to quit after a year. I swear this feels like hell sometimes.
I have never once in my entire life had a job that I liked! There may have been a few that I thought were interesting for a few weeks but then I soon lost interest. Also, I have never had what I would consider a career and I have never had any position even remotely relating to what I studied in college because after 3 years of applying and getting denied for even positions as craptastic as UNPAID internships, I gave up! Also, I tend to stick with jobs I hate because making a new resume and/or filling out job applications causes me so much anxiety that my brain literally ceases to function and I’m about as useful as a monkey on crack!
Experienced job hopper here. I keep saying to career counsellors and family…my ideal job is one where i can give it everything for 3 months, then take a month off. Then start a new contract for 3 months and repeat the cycle. I need a short end date, and a break or it feels like a slow death. Permanent job offers were like an eternal slog. I only stayed for my fun colleagues and even that wasn’t enough in the end.
Im not sure if I have ADHD but I have been job cycling the last 2 years. I’m not sure what happening to me but I just feel tied down to a job and I don’t want to feel that way. However I feel like I need to take care of this or else I won’t be able to hold a job and don’t want it to become a problem.
Just jobs? And food, music, games, people, sex, films, books, hobbies, authors, ideas, etc, etc, etc. The only things I’ve found that haven’t curled up and died on me in short order are computers and sticking cigarette papers together. Everything else becomes unbearable within days, or weeks. Occasionally months.
I am aged 44. I have diagnoses diagnoses of dyspraxia, ADHD and Aspergers traits with ADHD aged 41, August 2020, dyspraxia aged 33, Aspergers traits aged 25. I got a degree in 1999 aged 20, pgdip 2000. I had trouble with meaningful employment. I have a poor work history. I am a landlord. The older you are it is harder . Self employment, Maybe better . My dyspraxia is my most severe condition.
I had too many hobbies, so I reduced them down. There are still quite a few, some are seasonal outdoors, some are more intellectual. I used to be into photo, but now only take snapshots. I still find myself getting into the picture taking grove. Some of the outdoors ones, no one I know is interested in, so it would be kind of lonely to do them alone, like camping and fishing. I know there are groups, but they impose time, and money constraints. Some my adult child is into, new ones, others the old ones he used to do, he no longer likes.
I had a kidney transplant in Dec ‘21 at 51 yrs old. Still in recovery I started back to school and I was actually able to stay interested and focused on finishing (I think this is directly related to not being able to do anything for 7 years and 50+ yrs of being so lost for so long without diagnosis). So imagine the breakdown I recently had – and still trying to overcome- when the very last 2 classes I need to graduate are not being offered during my last semester and may be another year to actually graduate. It’s thrown me into depression and because I can’t let myself or my husband down, I’m going through the motions and still getting As – but I literally hardly care. Midterms and then finals are going to happen and my data skills I should be more than comfortable with are like a fog cloud rummaging for space in my head. It’s there but untouchable. I’m 53 and want to get back to work but I can’t manage another gd restaurant. I can’t even regulate my fight flight or freeze days. I’m starting to lower my expectations for myself and I’m exhausted from doing anything to physically force myself into finishing chores around the house, my hw, helping my sick neighbor get to appointments, which are keeping me sane but completely aware how very temporary this is. Looking for a data/tech job at 53 is terrifying enough- looking for one when you’re STILL not graduated?? Utter fkng hell.
I could swap feilds and jobs every year. And oh yeah I have actually, which is really exciting but suuuper stressy. Looking for a new has become my toxic trait and I hate it! Currently though I Need to find another job but my thoughts about where to go and what to do are paralyzing. I’m good at everything but have “career”. Glad I found this YouTube website. It feels like perusal articles about myself. ❤ Thx for that!
Hello, I am from the Philippines, I am an associate graduate in the medical field and have been through caregiving.. This article opens up my self that I have been to ADHD.. last 2020 I started to shift my job for a hemodialysis technician/reuse technician in a hospital.. then I got burned out after two years and 9 months. I went to the other hospital I have been there for 1 year and 4 months. Right now I have some little health condition that is not very dangerous,, but it so happened that I got bored and maybe some of my current(former) co-worker I got so exhausted from their negativity and presence.. I am looking for a job now again.. I can play bass and I would love to maybe be in a band to make it my job just in case. Thanks for this article.. I really thought that I am the only one experiencing this kind of a weird trait
ADHD shares many aspects with Asperger’s / High Functioning Autism and it’s no surprise more people are saying “oh, everyone’s a little autistic” but this is likely that a majority today are much more ADHD prone with all the growing digital distractions for decades now. “Everyone’s a little ADHD” is much more feasible, the majority doesn’t seem to still lack neurotypical social communication inherently by design.
Yep and employers dont understand at all why your like that. And when your applying for a new job and they see jobhoping on your cv they dont understand it either. The traditional workplace was designed for people that has no neurodevelopmental disability. This has got to change and more understanding and education for employers aswell. Iv always loved fitness and martial arts and iv been doing it for more than 6 years and im never bored, but I dont stick to workout plans for long.
I feel like I am ADHD but never ashamed of it. I love different experiences and I love the knowledge I gain. I know it gets hard because you have to start from the bottom everytime you change your job. I’m just lucky that my husband earns enough money for us otherwise, it becomes stressful financially.
This resonates with me to a T…it has been the cause of my low self esteem, my mental health problems (I have been suicidal even) and money problems…I went into sick leave to figure out why i was switching from job to job so much, I couldn’t explain it anymore to a future employer…also, could it be prevented by taking Dopamine supplements like L-Tyrosine for example?
Smoking marijuana, I was able to let go of all the demons inside my head. I wasn’t afraid I was just gonna quit like all the other times. Hell, I even worked at a job for two weeks @18 hourly even though I knew they were only paying me 13. When I quit smoking, I quit that job too. Was never reimbursed, and I’m the bad guy. Despite not having much funds, or smoking weed, I am able to focus on exercise and school.. but no job. I haven’t killed anyone but I can still see all the faces and here voices of every piece of shit I’ve ever encountered. Sometimes I wish I could be just like them so that I wouldn’t be this. No family no friends. Living out of my car with barely enough spark to keep me waking up in the morning. I was 30 years old when I finally figured out what it was I wanted to do as a career long term. If I didn’t have that, I’m not sure I’d still be here. I can’t talk to anyone without compromising the decisions of others as well as myself. People make me sick and I can hide that emotion very well when I’m sober. When I’m high, all of that hatred ceases to exist. If it’s a double edged sword your looking for, I’ve got the biggest one out there. My current strategy in mind is to keep strength training and stick with it. I think if I can just do that, I can do anything and not feel demoralized.
I’m 24 I’ve had multiple jobs over the years, I like doing different things and working at the one thing everyday is not for me, my family say they are disappointed that I lost my job because of burn out, I was over tasked and not given enough time to finish each task so I ended up getting the sack, they don’t seem to under stand ADHD, NOW WHEN IT COMES TO MONEY, I GIVE IT TO MY MOTHER, THEN NEED TO LEND SOME IT’S GET A JOB, EVEN KNOW THEY ARE THE FIRST TO TAKE.
This really hits home. I’m 39 and have always felt different. I’m just now learning why my brain works the way it does. I’ve had so many “jobs” that usually last about a year before I get bored. I did however manage to graduate from a two year program as a radiology tech, but after I had my daughter I lost all interest and never did my continuing education. I have always beaten myself up for this because what a waste! I gave up a whole career because I wasn’t interested anymore.. who does that? Then a couple years later I started a successful online children’s clothing company that did pretty well. This one lasted almost 2 years before the burnout started. I have so many supplies still from that business sitting in boxes in my garage with no interest of looking in them again. I wish I would have known these things back then so I could have recognized. Maybe I would have done things differently.. Going to start the process of being diagnosed, hoping I can find something to help my scattered mind.
I am dealing with this right now, I cant count on 3 sets of hands how many jobs I have been through. It is very disappointing to me because it makes me feel like I am a failure to myself, my kids and family. I know my father hates the fact that I do this and it makes me feel even worse because I don’t want to disappoint him in any way. I feel judged every day because of this and it sucks!!!!
This made me add it up. I’ve worked for 19 companies in 20 years. Although 3 companies totalled 15 years. And in terms of industries; it seems I get to 5 years and feel like I know a good amount, then 7 years and I need a change.. done 5 and a half in my current industry, hopefully I’ll be able to bear more than 7! This has given me the idea to plan for that inevitable boredom which requires a change. In the 5 and a half years in my current employment; I’ve spent three years as an apprentice, 2 and a half years as a technician and now recently promoted to team leader. So maybe I’ll just plan a career progression or change for 3 years time. Take the edge off! 😄 Thanks for this insight!
LOL, weren’t we just discussing this a few hours ago? Another great and informative article. 😄 Yes, I love to learn and research things to death. I find something new and the ideas start flowing all over and then when I have consumed a gluttony of ideas, and before I really use the ideas in actual creation, I am off researching something new. And yes, the world was not made for us. I could never understand how someone could be so happy and content in the same career and same company all their lives. I’m not knocking it, I just know I would be severely depressed in that situation but other people love it and embrace it.
Just found this article. I literally that “I just got too many hobbies” person. 🥲 Never stick too long and lose interest easily. And it really does frustrating because I feel like I can’t commit to one thing and end up not being good with whatever I try. Well the results of the products is okay and some is good. But when I start a new hobby, I always have expectations like I will be good with these, I will learn to make this one and like that one. And lots of ideas rushing in my brain like I want to make this one, that one, maybe things like this, etc. Buuut, I always end up losing interest when I start to finally understand the basics how to do it or after finish make one or two projects. 🥲 And I always end up wasting money to buy lot of things that I think I will use, need, or want to make when the first time I start the hobby. I never checked with an expert if I had adhd or not though. But I do have some auditory processing and hypersensory problems. I don’t know if it has some connections or not. :/
I’ve done pretty well in my career. It was an accident and I didn’t really consciously choose it. It’s very stressful and I generally feel worried and miserable all the time. But I make £65+ a year and I spend (waste) all my money on stuff that makes me feel better momentarily. But now I’m trapped needing to keep earning £££ when my job makes me miserable because it’s so boring and yet difficult so I can’t even coast it. I feel like boring + difficult is my kryptonite and I hate it. But I’ve made such a mess of my finances I can’t afford not to keep doing it. So I’ve had three or four serious depressive episodes/breakdowns where I had to take several weeks out of work. And then I get back on the treadmill and keep it up a couple more years being miserable. I’ve never told anyone about my ADHD because I’m a woman and I’m in my late 30s and from the outside I look like a high performer. I am too ashamed for people to know how I really am. I feel like if I could just manage money better, I could save up and then get out of my career and do something that actually makes life feel worth living. But no matter how hard I try I cannot stop spending money on shiny novelty crap that makes me feel better for like one day and then wears off leaving me trapped forever more in this cycle.
I’ve lived with ADHD since childhood and Schizoaffective Disorder since the age of 16. I find that changing the way I think about my thoughts is a good first step towards being at peace with my specific, needed accommodations. I am quite the writer, but getting started is a task I have little experience in. I make music a lot, and have over 300 songs on streaming platforms, and would like to switch gears, getting back to my literature. It’s ultimately possible to continue writing after I’ve mulled around the potential for transitions through life without the extra, unwarranted shame of childhood attributions. I really appreciate this article. I’m going to chop up every piece of my book-writing journey into different tasks. I hope to put all of my attention into each fragmented piece of the puzzle, fitting them neatly together eventually, without rushing, or abandoning my lovely creations… I found this helpful in music production… Thanks ❤️🔥
Is it just me that thinks this topic is just coming to light. I am 62 and was just diagnosed, ADHD brained. Thankfully I have functioned well. But it’s much more noticable to me in last few years. I see so many articles about this topic recently. Is it because I’m looking for these articles or is it so prevalent and brought to light?
I ( 41 years old) have moved to new country 2 years ago after I finished 12 years career in same IT company. Since move I’ve changed jobs 3x, last one is running, first month in. My boss Is constantly criticising me, saying I am not as senior as he thought, that I have 3 months to prove him my worth. I feel worthless, and everything I do is wrong, I have no motivation to start new tasks. I want to leave but I will be quitter 😢 and it might affect my financial stability
To be honest, it is more about jobs, than “ADHD” or something else. The reason why a lot of people “quit/switch” jobs, is because of how most jobs are. The fundamental problem, is you are not receiving enough benefit from it. If you are working a low paying job, that does not offer much of a future, it is natural to want to quit. If you are overworked, and under appreciated, then it is natural to want to quit. If you are working job doing busy work to collect hours, so you get paid, you want to quit.
I’m not diagnosed yet but at age 54 it’s time to find a practitioner. What type do folks recommend? Career wise I have been a top performer even though I’ve moved a lot. Average job is around 3 years. I’ve made some great connections and friends along the way and generally enjoyed working. I’m in tech so maybe it’s not as odd. But – recent hormone changes have taken the symptoms to a new level and I’m struggling to manage. This does t feel like the normal burnout / look for new sparkly toy thing. Need to get back in the drivers seat.
Well it would be nice if society wasn’t designed for only neurotypical to succeed. How do we change ourselves to fit in I wonder? I have been trying to get a home loan for years. They all tell me I need 2 years nonstop of consistent pay stubs if not in the same job, then in the same industry. I need advice on how to stay put, because the housing lenders are not going to be understanding that switching it up is just “how I operate”, and I need a home.
I feel like I fail at everything I try to do to be successful and capable of paying the bills. I want to have a career that sustains me financially so it will support my music and travel habits but also go on the road with me. I have failed at adulting and I don’t even have the energy to care about it anymore.