Occasionally, I come across an article, book, or even a YouTube video that genuinely expands my horizons and introduces me to new possibilities. It never occurred to me that I might have ADHD—not until I watched Sara Dietschy’s video on her diagnosis. As she put it, “I’ve never related to something so much more in my life.” I was shocked by how much I saw myself in her experience. I had always thought that my poor attention span, tendency to procrastinate, and restlessness were just parts of who I am. But the deeper I went into the rabbit hole of ADHD content and self-assessments, the more I realized I might be onto something.

For most, including myself two years ago, ADHD is usually associated with the H—hyperactivity. But I didn’t really struggle with that. I’ve always been kind of fidgety and restless, but never to the extent of causing disruptions at school or in public spaces. In elementary school, I had one of the highest GPAs in my class, so my parents had no reason to worry—at least on paper. Looking back at my teachers’ assessments from grades one to three (translated from Polish), I now spot hints:

• “He works quite efficiently in class, but often does not pay attention to diligence.”
• “He writes legibly, but sometimes carelessly.”
• “Sometimes he does sloppy work, but he always brings it to the end.”
• “He usually finishes work much earlier than other children.”
• “His reactions are not always appropriate to the situation and age.”
• “He writes at the right pace, but not always aesthetically.”

Still, none of these stood out enough to raise concern about ADHD or even dyslexia. The only external support I recall was speech therapy—but that’s almost a rite of passage if you’ve ever heard Polish.

As I progressed through middle and high school, the number and intensity of courses increased, and my grades declined. I struggled to understand abstract concepts in math, memorize historical dates, and learn foreign languages. I managed to overcome some of these hurdles—like when English finally clicked for me thanks to YouTube and podcasts—but other subjects remained difficult.

My procrastination didn’t help. Rather than study or do homework, I’d play CS:GO with friends or go to parties on weekends. I often completed take-home assignments 30 minutes before class.

Looking back, I believe these challenges pushed me toward a career in marketing right after high school instead of pursuing a university degree (something I explored here). Writing about tech and later managing social media for one of the largest companies in the world came much easier to me than writing essays on poetry or solving equations.

As a young professional, my ADHD symptoms were masked by my obsession with productivity and organization. I used apps like Wunderlist (RIP, buddy) and Todoist religiously. I carried a notebook everywhere to jot down thoughts and brainstorm. As I advanced in my career, people saw me as reliable—I’d take on anything that came my way. Later, I realized that some of these patterns also aligned with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), which helped build my “high-functioning” mask.

Still, I had my struggles. Without a looming deadline, I’d procrastinate and distract myself with smaller, less important tasks. I felt overwhelmed if I lost control over my to-do list or if someone unexpectedly asked for help. Because I lacked boundaries, my responsibilities kept piling up, leading to constant context switching and a drop in creative thinking. Of course, there were also the internal distractions. I love how Sara put it: “My brain is just always on fire with ideas, voices, thoughts, hopes, dreams, fears, [and] anxieties.”

At the same time, I felt like I couldn’t stop. If I slowed down, I’d beat myself up for being lazy. So I kept going: blog posts, podcasts, freelance work—all while holding a full-time job and being in a relationship.

This cycle played out repeatedly over a decade, leading to burnout from one job, followed by a new one to feel energized again.

Watching Sara’s video in 2023 felt like a turning point. For the first time, I realized there might actually be something “wrong” with me—and that no one, including myself, had ever noticed. I felt angry about how much easier life could have been if I’d known sooner. But that was quickly followed by relief. I finally understood that I had always looked at the world through a different lens. And I wasn’t alone.

I didn’t want to settle for self-diagnosis. I visited my GP, then a psychotherapist, and in September 2023, I was officially diagnosed with Predominantly Inattentive Type ADHD. Soon after, I started taking Methylphenidate. I remember the first time—it felt like putting noise-canceling headphones on my brain. Suddenly, all the temptations and urges faded, and I could focus on things I’d usually avoid.

Just to clarify, this is only my experience—your mileage may vary. I took 1–2 10mg pills on weekdays for about a year. At first, they worked wonders. But over time, I began to feel emotionally numb and slipped into a depressive episode. I paused the meds for a few months, suspecting they were the cause—and sure enough, my mood started to lift soon after.

I’m back on the medication now, but only take it 1–2 times a week, on long workdays. So far, this routine is working well. I still find that Methylphenidate mutes some of my emotions, so I’m open to trying other options.

Getting diagnosed and medicated was just the beginning. I wanted to better understand how ADHD and anxiety affected all areas of my life. I found a great therapist I’ve been seeing for over a year, and I joined group sessions. Talking with others going through the same struggles has been incredibly validating.

I also have to give credit to the German healthcare system. Despite the mixed reviews it gets, my diagnosis process was relatively smooth. I couldn’t find a psychiatrist or therapist under public insurance quickly, so I paid €150 for the diagnosis out of pocket. Everything else—including therapy—has been covered. I only pay a standard €5 fee to renew prescriptions. I realize many people aren’t as lucky, especially outside Germany. Please don’t lose hope.

Professional help gave me awareness, but managing ADHD day-to-day is still up to me. Luckily, I already had systems in place: Things 3, Apple Notes, and Apple Calendar. I’ve since tweaked how I use them—adding time blocking and weekly reviews—and become more realistic about my workload, prioritizing long-term impact.

I also reshaped my environment, especially my digital one. I started using One Sec, then switched to Opal. I listen to Endel soundscapes during deep work, and block distractions with Safari extensions. I also built a meditation habit and journal daily, which helps with emotional regulation and self-reflection.

One other big thing: exercise. I can’t overstate how much moving my body helps regulate my energy. It doesn’t have to be a heavy workout—even a walk helps. I played around with timing my meals, workouts, meds, and more, until I found a rhythm that worked. Now, I work with my energy, not against it. For example, I know I can focus for four solid hours if I exercise early, so I reserve that time for writing. I also started breaking large tasks into phases—like turning “Publish blog post on ADHD” into research, notes, draft, edit, and publish.

Earlier, I said something felt “wrong” with me, but ADHD showed me that’s not the case. There’s nothing wrong with me—or you—if you have ADHD. Our brains are just wired differently. And while it’s not a magic gift, it does come with strengths: creativity, big-picture thinking, and the ability to hyperfocus. Once you understand how your mind works, you can tap into those strengths in areas that matter.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to ADHD’s challenges, but you can learn to work with it—to build a healthier, more meaningful life. You’ll still have messy days, and that’s fine. What matters is self-awareness and the ability to bounce back.

Sometimes I wonder what life would’ve looked like if I had been diagnosed earlier—how school, work, and relationships might have changed. But I’m proud of how far I’ve come despite the challenges. Now, with better self-understanding and tools, I’m ready for whatever comes next.

Here are some resources—ADHD-related and otherwise—that I found particularly helpful:

1. Sara Dietschy’s “I’ve been scared to talk about this.” — This video changed everything for me.
2. Huberman Lab: “Improve Focus with Behavioral Tools & Medication for ADHD | Dr. John Kruse” — One of the most insightful episodes on ADHD.
3. Ali Abdaal’s “Feel-Good Productivity” — The “what if this were fun?” approach fits ADHD brains so well.
4. Cal Newport’s “Slow Productivity” — His latest, and a great one for pacing yourself sustainably.
5. Anna Lembke’s “Dopamine Nation” — We live in a world stacked against ADHD minds. This book explains why—and what to do about it.