I came across this quote today and it really put some perspective to things going on in my life and how others have been treating me.
I am a very bubbly person, outgoing and can have a chill vibe. But lately, I haven’t been….
I have very recently started taking medication for my ADHD. I made it 34 years without, but sometimes all the attempts to find something that works to eliminate some
of the struggles just consumed me. I know this choice isn’t forever and it’s not my goal to be.
I am a mother of 3 small children, a wife, a co-worker, daughter, friend, and anything else that may come in my way and sometimes things are just very hard to manage.
I’ve noticed my personality has changed. The medication has improved the things I was struggling with but has taken away the ME that makes me who I am. I have been bitter and really struggling with what to do. Which in return I am sure is coming out in other areas too.
... Read moreIt’s incredible how one simple quote can truly act as a mirror, isn't it? When I first came across 'The vibe you put out is the vibe you get back,' it hit me hard, especially in the context of my recent ADHD medication journey. You see, finally getting diagnosed and starting meds at 34 felt like a huge step forward, a beacon of hope after years of feeling like I was constantly swimming against the current. No more endless cycles of consuming myself with attempts to just *function*. But then came the unexpected twist: while the medication helped with some executive function struggles, it felt like it muted my 'bubbly' personality, leaving me feeling a bit... flat, even bitter at times.
This feeling of losing a part of myself, the 'me' I knew, is something I’ve heard other adults with ADHD talk about too. It’s a strange paradox: gaining clarity and focus, but at the cost of spontaneity or that vibrant energy that used to define me. As a mom of three, a wife, and juggling all the other roles life throws my way, this shift felt particularly challenging. It made me question, 'Is this new, more subdued me, the person I want to be?' And more importantly, 'Is this the vibe I want to be putting out to my family and friends?'
That's where the wisdom of that powerful quote really started to resonate. It's not about forcing a fake smile or pretending everything is perfect. For me, applying 'the vibe you put out is the vibe you get back' in my ADHD life became about intentionality. It's about recognizing that even on the days when the meds make me feel a little less 'me,' or when the ADHD brain fog is particularly dense, I still have a choice in how I respond. It's about consciously shifting my internal monologue from 'I'm bitter because of these meds' to 'What small, positive action can I take right now to influence my immediate environment?'
Sometimes, this means taking a five-minute break to listen to a favorite song, engaging in a fleeting hyperfocus on a creative task, or simply acknowledging a small win—like successfully getting everyone out the door on time! These aren't grand gestures, but they are deliberate efforts to cultivate a more positive internal *vibe*. It's a reminder that even when things feel deeply sad or frustrating, especially with the unique challenges of living with ADHD, there are always pockets of potential for positivity.
If you’re also navigating the complexities of adult ADHD, whether with medication or without, and finding yourself in a similar 'vibe shift,' remember you're not alone. I’ve found immense comfort in seeking out positive motivational ADHD quotes and connecting with communities who understand this journey. It's an ongoing process of self-discovery, learning to embrace the parts of ourselves that change, and actively nurturing the parts we want to shine. It's okay to grieve the person you thought you were, and then empower yourself to build the person you are becoming. This quote isn't just about external interactions; it's a powerful tool for internal transformation, helping us to gently, but firmly, guide our own narrative and the energy we project. Let's keep putting out that good vibe, even when it feels like a conscious effort, because the returns are truly worth it.