Living with ADHD, especially as an adult or a woman, often means struggling with following verbal instructions, even when you really want to listen and comply. From personal experience, the challenge isn’t about ignoring instructions intentionally but more about how ADHD affects attention and working memory. Often, when someone gives verbal directions, I might catch keywords but lose track of the sequence or important details due to my brain's natural distractibility. One trick that helped me manage this was asking for instructions to be repeated or written down, which reduces the pressure on my working memory and allows me to focus on one step at a time. Additionally, breaking tasks into smaller chunks and confirming understanding by paraphrasing the instructions back to the person has improved my success rate. Women with ADHD frequently face additional challenges because their symptoms are sometimes less recognized, leading to internalized frustration about not "listening" properly. Knowing that ADHD impacts how the brain processes verbal information reassures me and others going through the same difficulties that this isn't a personal failing but a neurological pattern. If you relate to the hashtag #notlistening despite your efforts, consider exploring ADHD-specific strategies like using reminder tools, visual cues, or even apps designed to help manage multi-step instructions. These aids can bridge the gap between hearing and doing, granting more confidence and reducing overwhelm in daily interactions.