Funny Because It’s True. True Because You Have ADHD.
15 wise and funny quotes about living with ADHD to help you crack a smile after a stressful, disappointing day. Yes, there are people out there who get you!
A group of adults living with adhd sharing their stories and quotes about ADHD and their experiences.
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When They Do Not Get You
If family and friends don’t get your ADHD and are always asking, “Why in the world did you do that?,” don’t get angry, get some perspective:
“Never waste your time trying to explain who you are to people who are committed to misunderstanding you.”
Man smiles to himself, appreciating an ADHD moment.
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Appreciate Those ADHD Moments
Walking into a room and not remembering why you’re there, or forgetting how to spell a word and changing the whole sentence to avoid using it. And then there is:
“That moment when you are having a conversation in your head and you realize you are making faces that go along with the silent conversation.”
Woman makes a silly face, choosing to smile about her ADHD symptoms.
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Choose Smiles
It’s better to laugh along with the chaotic moments instead of beating yourself up over them. Try these quotes about ADHD on for size:
“I’m not crazy. I prefer the term mentally hilarious.”
“I just bought $200 worth of groceries… then I ordered in pizza because I didn't feel like cooking after the hassle of buying groceries.”
“Your secrets are safe with me, because there is a good chance I was not listening.”
Hot air balloon demonstrates rising above people who want you to fit in their box and don’t accept ADHD.
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Rise Above
If neurotypical friends stop inviting you to parties and dinners because you don’t fit in, accept your differences instead of making yourself over:
“Some people will only love you as long as you fit in their box. Don’t be afraid to disappoint.”
If you have ADHD, tell yourself you’re made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.
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When You Think You Can't Do It
It’s easy to get down on ourselves when the world reminds us about our flawed performances. Here’s a new way to look at things:
“I like flaws and am most comfortable around those who have them. I, myself, am made up entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.”
Man reads alone — it’s ok to want some solitude.
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You Want to Be Alone
Need some alone time after a long week of managing your job and your child with ADHD? Don’t apologize. Recast your thinking:
“I’m not anti-social, I’m pro solitude.”
Computer, phone, and tablet — when tech drives you crazy, know you’re not the only one.
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When Tech Drives You Crazy
Do you have problems with that infernal calculator (computer, printer, modem, you name it)? Take comfort in the fact that you have company:
“I don’t always clear my calculator, but when I do, I hit both ‘C’ and ‘CE’ a bunch of times because I don’t know what they do exactly.” — An Anonymous Adult with ADHD
Boxes everywhere! Tell them everything’s on display, like a museum.
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Love Your Stuff
Find it hard to keep your house chaos-free? Look beyond the clutter:
“My house is not a mess. It’s just that everything is on display for your viewing pleasure. Just like a museum.”
Woman waving away her doubts about herself.
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Doubts Be Gone
Next time your creative brain offers up a great idea, and your Greek chorus pipes in, “You can’t do that,” write a letter:
To: My Fears
From: Me
“I want you to know it’s over between us. We’ve had a crazy ride this year, but I’ve found someone new. I’m getting back together with Faith… We have big plans for 2017. I can’t let you hold me back any longer.”
Woman walking — simply keep putting one foot in front of the other.
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One Foot in Front of the Other
When things don’t work out despite your best efforts — doing all the laundry, say, but forgetting to put it in the dryer — keep walking:
“No matter how you feel… Get up. Dress up. Show up. And don’t give up.”
Adults swing on a tree, treasuring their weirdness, not hiding it.
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Treasure the Weirdness
Don’t trash your beautiful weirdness — placing your smartphone in the fridge or trying to convince friends that Big Foot is real — relish it:
“Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who would love the person you hide.”
Man gives a high-five after realizing it’s never too late to be what you might have been.
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Turn Regrets into Action
Ever sit back and wonder what your life might have been like if you had been diagnosed with ADHD sooner, rather than at age 32 or 47? Here’s a good response:
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot
Man and woman are talking, not letting ADHD know-nothings bring them down.
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Do Not Tolerate the Know-Nothings
Tired of having to answer silly questions from those who don't have ADHD? Those who know zilch about attention deficit but don’t hesitate to ask them anyway? You have an option:
“Being able to respond with sarcasm within seconds of a stupid question is a sign of a healthy brain.”
Mother and daughters skip through the woods, taking a walk on the wild side.
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Walk on the Wild Side
You take a day off from work one Monday to walk in the woods with your daughter, even though you know you’ll pay the price at the office the next day. Don’t fret, get a “doctor’s” note:
“The doctor said that I need to shirk all responsibilities and go have some fun. Also, I’m calling myself ‘the doctor’ now.”
Man smiles remembering, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
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You Are Good Enough
You wish you could be like all those other people who cross everything off their to-do list every day. Maybe you will be some day, but until then, remember:
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
A list of goals is important, but appreciating small successes when you have ADHD is even more important.
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Appreciate Small Successes
ADHD experts are always telling us to break down tasks into small pieces. How about this for small?
“My New Year’s Resolution is to write ‘2017’ instead of ‘2014.’”
