My ADHD Story: Roller Coasters, Chickens, and Love - Oh My!

Hey everyone! I'm James I’m 25, I’m a bit of a whirlwind, always on the go, living life to the full…..and oh yeah, I have ADHD.

ADHD - that's Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder - gifts me a constant stream of thoughts, ideas, and impulses, taking me on a rollercoaster ride that's anything but dull.

You know, ADHD has taken me on some pretty wild adventures. I've been a dog handler, a chef, a police officer and run my own company - to name just a few.

With ADHD there is the impulsivity part. It's a bit like a random idea generator that just doesn't have an off switch. Like that time when I randomly bought a flock of 100 chickens. And then, naturally, I built a chicken coop and placed it on my parents' land…...without exactly asking them first. Yes, life with ADHD is full of surprises, and in my case, chickens.

Honestly? I wouldn't change any of it for the world. For all its challenges, ADHD has also given me some fantastic strengths - unbeatable work ethic, relentless determination, a crash course in bouncing back from defeat and a unique perspective on life. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. These qualities have propelled me towards success at an age when many others my age are still figuring things out.

Now, you might think, ADHD sounds chaotic. How do you even manage?" Well, it's about finding balance. Regular exercise helps burn off some of that excess energy. I schedule breaks and downtime to give my turbo-charged brain a breather. Digital tools and apps are great for keeping track of tasks and deadlines, and when I have an impulse to do something I set a date in the diary, maybe for a week, a month or a year. If it still sounds a good idea by then, well it probably is so I’ll give it a go. ADHD brings creatively and that brings new opportunities and success.

And let's not forget the importance of a solid support network. I've found solace in therapy, ADHD coaching, and support groups. They've provided me with coping strategies and a sense of belonging - a reminder that I'm not alone in this journey.

Which brings me to my biggest support - my partner. We've been together for 8 years and have two wonderful kids. Finding someone who truly understands you is like finding a lighthouse in a storm. With her, I found my lighthouse. She gets me, ADHD and all. I honestly didn't think it was possible, but here we are navigating this crazy, beautiful life together.

Living with ADHD isn't about trying to fit into a box. It's about breaking free, embracing the unpredictability, the creativity, and the wild ideas. It's about understanding that being different isn't a disadvantage - it's just a different kind of advantage.

So here's to all of us living this wild ADHD life. It's a roller coaster, but trust me, it's a ride worth taking….. and if all else fails I’ve plenty of eggs to sell.