ADHD Attacks and the Kindness Key

Last week felt like a whirlwind of ADHD symptoms reaching their peak, ready to strike at any moment. From forgetting essentials to emotional rollercoasters, each day presented its unique set of challenges. Yet amidst all of my ADHD attacks, I found calm in kindness: kindness for others and kindness for myself.

Navigating through forgetfulness and emotional turbulence, I discovered that my struggles with ADHD actually enhance my ability to connect with others. As a teacher, I empathize with students on a profound level, having walked in their shoes. I approach interactions with parents and peers with genuine kindness, recognizing the power of support during difficult moments, both for others and for myself.

Embracing all aspects of myself, including anxiety and ADHD, has become a journey of self-acceptance. The phrases: “message me so I don’t forget” or “can you please schedule me a reminder text” have become part of my everyday repertoire. And don’t even get me STARTED on how grateful I am for my trusty Alexa. Google and Alexa are only two examples of many indispensable assistance technology, that deserve an ode of gratitude for aiding me through countless ADHD attacks.

When I realized I left my bag at home, panic momentarily set in. These energetic 6 year olds need constant entertainment. Yet, with the help of school supplies I found in my backpack, some coffee cups, and the Libby app on my phone, the day was salvaged, reminding me of the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness.

Engaging with my students, we delved into phonics lessons with enthusiasm, exploring the different vowel sounds and honing fine motor skills through creative activities. Witnessing their joy and progress reaffirms my passion for teaching and the impact of patience and flexibility in learning environments. Embracing my ADHD looked a lot like having kindness and compassion for myself this week.

I am so excited to keep explaining the steps to successful reading to these students and to their families. As I look ahead to future endeavors with my business, I acknowledge the potential hurdles posed by ADHD symptoms. However, armed with the wisdom that “compassion kills the laziness lie,” gleaned from Devon Price’s insightful book, “Laziness Does Not Exist,” I am encouraged by the understanding that self-compassion is key on this journey.

ADHD is hard. Having Compassion for yourself is hard. How do we teach our kids to have compassion for themselves? By modeling it for them. Modeling compassion for ourselves and for others. I am beyond grateful for my family’s involvement with Sending Hope, a charity dedicated to spreading kindness. Their recent kindness challenge, marked by filling hearts with acts of kindness, serves as a poignant reminder that even amidst challenges, kindness prevails.