THIS POST IS NOT FOR YOU.
An anthem for neurodivergence, knowing who we are, accepting that we are different and do things differently.
Today I don’t have a story. I have words, fragments of thoughts, moments of time, and experiences expressed by those fragmented moments that I used to allow to define me. This is the beginning of an experiment of identifying, unloading, letting go, and then redefining what self-acceptance looks like.
This is not for you if you don’t understand why some people can’t seem to get their shit together.
This is not for you if you need conformity and don’t understand why other people can’t or won’t perform at a level that meets your unspoken expectations.
This is not for you if you must have everyone in their seats and sitting quietly until you speak.
This is not for you if you are in a lecture and you quietly listen and save your questions until the end.
This is not for you if you never speak out of turn.
This is not for you if you don’t always “read the room” and come in hot and make a comment that takes the room by surprise.
This is not for you if you only think linearly and must follow the directions precisely as written.
This is not for you if you are always punctual and believe that when people are late, they intentionally disrespect you and your time.
This is not for you if you always follow the rules.
This is not for you if you skip ahead and read the end of the book first.
This is not for you if you think others are lazy or undisciplined because they do the easy tasks first.
This is not for you if you believe you must always “eat the frog” first.
This is not for you if you believe there is a correct way to accomplish any given task.
This is not for you if you are fine with a stack of unfinished books, because you got bored while reading them.
This is not for you if you believe audio books don’t count as having “read a book”.
This is not for you if you get frustrated with those who can’t make up their minds when ordering at a restaurant.
This is not for you who believe there is only one correct way to perform a task.
This is not for you if you expect conformity.
This is not for you if you see life in black and white.
This is not for you if you expect your LOGIC to be the only logic.
This is not for you if you can’t stand interruptions.
This is not for you if you don’t like unconventional thinking.
This is not for you if you must have consistency.
This is not for you if you must have linear conversations.
This is not for you if you think some behaviour is “inappropriate”
This is not for you if you believe there is a “proper way” to behave in public.
This is not for you if you think conformity is obedience, and obedience means suppressing yourself to fit in.
This is not for you if you must have conformity.
This is not for you if you must color in the lines and only use the colors given to you.
This is not for you if everything must make sense or else it’s wrong.
This is not for you if you need everything to be predictable.
This is not for you if you can push through and do the challenging tasks first.
This is not for you if you believe others are lazy or cheating if they reward themselves at the beginning of a task.
This is not for you if you never procrastinate and use deadlines to get motivated to get the job done.
This is not for you if you believe daydreaming is a waste of time.
This is not for you if you believe rules are always meant to be followed.
This is not for you if you can sit still…anywhere.
This is not for you if, when you hear the question “how long will this take?” you are sure how to answer this correctly.
This is not for you if you don’t understand the term “time blindness.”
This is not for you if you believe people “should” be able to do what you do and how you do it.
This is not for you if you don’t get overstimulated easily.
This is not for you if you don’t have sensory issues.
This is not for you if you’ve never been told you are “too sensitive”.
This is not for you if you’ve never been told, “You have so much potential, only if you’d apply yourself.”
This is not for you if you’ve never been told, “They daydream in class”, “They talk out of turn”, “They are a joy to have in class, but don’t always complete the assignments on time or at all.”
This is your life, and it’s beautiful, challenging, messy, and misunderstood, but it’s yours, and don’t ever apologize for being you.
CONTINUING WITH THIS IDEA…
This list isn’t complete, and that’s the point. Life with ADHD has its own rhythm, color palette, and set of unwritten rules.
What would you add to this list of what life is not when you have ADHD?
Drop your additions in the comments—your story might be exactly what someone else needs to read today.
Comment Starters
This is not for you if you’ve never… ___
This is not for you if you think it’s weird to… ___
This is not for you if you can’t imagine… ___
This is not for you if you roll your eyes when someone… ___
This is not for you if you’ve never been told… ___
This is not for you if you think it’s wrong to… ___
This is not for you if you’ve never gotten in trouble for… ___
This is not for you if you always… ___ and can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t.
3 Questions to Take Away
Looking back, where have the very things that made you feel “different” turned out to be your greatest strengths?
How has living in a neurotypical world shaped your creativity, problem-solving, or empathy?
If you stopped apologizing for the way your brain works, what new possibilities would open up for you?