This week in my ADHD journey…

It's so easy to feel like a failure when your best-laid ADHD routine plans completely fall apart, isn't it? I know that feeling all too well. We hear constantly about the importance of routine for managing ADHD, and I often find myself setting ambitious goals, like consistently waking up at the same time every single day. But then, as my recent experience shows, life throws a curveball – whether it's getting strep throat or just having one of those days where executive function decides to take a vacation. The subsequent losing motivation and the inevitable 'confidence dumping' that follows can be truly debilitating. For so long, I beat myself up over not being able to stick to a strict sleep schedule or an elaborate morning ritual. I'd be so intentional about plans to wake up early, only to find myself hyper-focused on a task until 2 AM, or simply unable to drag myself out of bed when the alarm went off. It’s a common struggle for us with ADHD – time blindness makes it hard to gauge how long things will take, and the allure of dopamine-producing activities often overrides the logical choice of going to bed. This struggle isn't a sign of weakness; it's literally how our brains are wired. What I've slowly started to realize is that the path to a functional routine with ADHD isn't about perfection, but about adaptability and self-compassion. When I experience that feeling of confidence dumping after a routine fails, it's a huge blow. It makes me question everything. But what if we reframed these moments? Instead of seeing them as total failures, what if they're just data points telling us what doesn't work, or that we need more flexibility? Instead of aiming for the perfect "waking up at the same time every night" goal, I'm now trying to focus on micro-routines. Maybe it's just committing to brushing my teeth and drinking a glass of water within 15 minutes of waking up, no matter what time that is. Or, when I'm feeling overwhelmed by the idea of a morning routine, I focus on my evening. Setting up my coffee maker the night before, choosing my clothes, or even just clearing my bedside table can make a huge difference in how I feel about facing the next day. It’s about creating a gentle landing, not a rigid launchpad. And when life happens, like when I unexpectedly got sick, it's okay to acknowledge that it’s completely derailed my efforts. The old me would have spiraled into a complete "confidence dump," feeling guilty and useless. But the new me is trying to embrace the idea that sometimes, we just have to go with the flow and try again next week. Building resilience in the face of setbacks is just as important as building the routine itself. We're not aiming for a perfect robot, but a functional, happy human with ADHD.