The Missing Puzzle Piece: My ADHD Diagnosis

💡 I’ve always considered myself a creative, passionate, and driven individual.

But for years, I’ve also wrestled with something harder to name.

Missed deadlines.
Unfinished tasks.
Burned bridges and eroded trust.

It’s been a painful cycle.

📋 Last week, I received a formal diagnosis of Combined ADHD, and it feels like a missing piece of my puzzle finally clicked into place.

For years, I misunderstood what ADHD really was. I thought it was just a label for "naughty boys" or "lazy and rude" adults—this is what I heard from others and internalised.

I hesitated and delayed seeking diagnosis and treatment because of self-judgment and stigma.

I didn’t want people to think I was "making excuses"—and I didn’t want to make excuses.

I’ve always been acutely aware of my responsibilities, which is why the shame of struggling to deliver hit so hard.

But ADHD isn’t about being lazy or careless.

ADHD impacts executive function—the ability to plan, prioritise, and follow through.

It also challenges working memory, making it hard to hold tasks in mind and organise them effectively.

For me, this has meant:
🎯 Perfectionism that turns into procrastination.
✨ Hyperfocus on the creative and novel, while mundane but necessary tasks fall by the wayside.
😞 Deep feelings of shame when I disappoint colleagues, clients, or myself.

But here’s the paradox: ADHD has also been the source of some of my greatest strengths.

My ability to dive deep into research, connect dots others might miss, and channel passion into creative projects is something I wouldn’t trade.

🧩 Bridging the Gap

The journey now is about closing the gap between where I struggle and where I excel.

It’s super early days still, but:
💊 With medication, I’m finding clarity and focus.
🏋️‍♂️ With a renewed commitment to health—through exercise, better nutrition, and mindfulness—I’m feeling stronger.
🧠 By learning more about how ADHD shapes my life, I’m starting to forgive myself for past failures and build systems for success.

💔 The Vulnerable Truth

Sometimes, I’m paralysed by shame and overwhelmed by past disappointments and missed opportunities.

It’s a lot to carry.

But I’m learning to let go of the weight of what I couldn’t do, and instead focus on what I can do now.

If you’ve ever worked with me, you might know how deeply I care about my craft and my collaborators.

This new chapter is about aligning that care with the tools and understanding I’ve been missing.

💬 Sharing the Journey

I want to share this because I know I’m not alone in these struggles.
To anyone navigating ADHD—or any challenge that feels bigger than you—you’re not broken. You’re adapting.

And I’m here to say that the work to understand yourself is worth it. 💪