ADHD and time blindness.
Why am I typically late to things? Why do I SUCK at estimating how long something will take? Why do I try and accomplish ALL THE THINGS just minutes before I'm supposed to leave the house? Whyyyyyy?
You are different. And, you are not less.
Rome wasn’t built in a day my friend, and neither will the inclusive shift into a new societal expectation be.
Over the past many decades, we (most) have embraced the understanding that physical appearance varies (stay with me here), and despite what Hitler (that dick) preached, no one skin color, hair color, nose shape, height, eye color, etc. is what we all should be measured by/compared to.
We are all perfectly made in God’s image (or something like that).
So. Why do we still run with this assumption that there’s one “right” or “best” way of thinking, and those that struggle to function in that exact manner are well, disabled or lazy or (my personal favorite) just need to try harder.
Forget the lie that you’re broken, and instead we are remembering that knowledge is power, baby, and the more you learn (about yourself) the more you can differentiate explanation versus excuse as you live your life.
On the (growing) list of ways our brains operate differently when compared to this pre-established norm, TIME and our concept around it is something that seems to take the cake for least favorite symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
“ADHD is, to summarize it in a single phrase, time blindness.” - Russell A. Barkley
Let’s get into it (the explanation), but first, a story.
🎃 Don’t forget to scroll to the end where you’ll find thee BEST pumpkin bar recipe in spirit of the recent seasonal change! 🎃
I shat you not, whilst in the beginning stages of writing you this (hopeful) masterpiece, I nearly forgot about my flight to Boston and had to make a run for it.
TIME BLINDNESS.
It is a thing. Actually, it’s a big thing when you have ADHD, but first as promised, a story.
It was time to leave.
More accurately, it was time to leave my house 12 minutes ago.
I was aware of this fact (kinda) and yet was SO confident that in the next 13 seconds, I could bust out my hair, brew a second cup of coffee ☕, answer a text message that had already gone unanswered for 5 business days, AND pack up all of my shit that’s naturally still strung out around the house.
Where the hell are my keys?
But don’t worry, I had already told the person I was meeting that I had left 20 minutes ago, so we’re fine.
“I used to think I had a really fun quirky personality, but turns out, it was just my mental health disorder.” - I said that
Time blindness is like a spicy cocktail of being overly confident that we CAN complete these last-minute items (more like we MUST) combined with this ridiculous inability to gauge (realistically) how long things will take.
If you have a kiddo with ADHD (like myself), observe them with tasks related to time or pay attention to what happens right before a transition out of the house.
I would imagine that as you watch (in slight horror/amusement) you will perhaps notice how your child mirrors the same struggle with time management that you do.
But why is this a thing for ADHDers?
Let’s break this down.
A neurotypical brain (a brain that is considered standard or more on the norm side) houses an “importance-based” nervous system.
The brain will naturally focus first on prioritizing important tasks, followed by either rewards or consequences for completing or not completing said task.
The end.
An ADHD brain don’t give a shit if it’s not interested.
Okay, it’s more scientific than that, but basically.
While we understand the concept surrounding important tasks that yield either a reward or a consequence, our brains are not motivated by such matters.
This does not mean we cannot use discernment to identify most important to least, or that we don’t grasp the reality of reward versus consequence, it’s simply that we are not motivated based on this idea alone.
“Instead, their nervous system is “interest-based”, motivated by things like interest, challenge, competition, creativity, urgency (now!), passion.” - Tom McCallum
Anything we can do to help ourselves?
Jesse J Anderson explains that in order to take better control around our concept/understanding with time, we need to first shift it (time) into the physical space AKA make it IN SIGHT. (recall we are habitual out of sight, out of mind-ers)
Some ways to try that…
Invest into your favorite visual that showcases the literal passing of time. A visual timer, a wall clock, a wrist watch, perhaps all of the above?
Try out the Pomodoro Technique (a time management method) which is essentially combining a visual timer with 25 minute chunks of productive time, while also weaving in purposeful breaks. See the tutorial video here!
Have visuals out the ass. But seriously. A wall calendar, a planner or two, lists, reminders, and of course the printables I made that you get for FREE because you’re an amazing paid subscriber. get free visuals to help stay on task here!
If possible, have a buffer person (body double) that can help you stay on task or helps you to leave on time. If they cannot physically be with you, try having them text or call you when it’s time to transition.
Okay, my friends. There is more that can be explored here, but for your brain’s sake, let’s digest this first.
Thank you for being here, truly. My family and I love you for it. <3
AND as promised, a hint of fall- themed dopamine to love on as we ease into the best time of the year (at least I think so). 🍂
🎃 PUMPKIN BAR RECIPE 🎃
by Simply Scrumptious Eats
Ingredients
For the pumpkin bar:
▢4 eggs
▢1 ⅔ cups sugar
▢⅞ cup vegetable oil
▢15 ounce can pumpkin
▢1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
▢2 cups flour
▢2 teaspoons baking powder
▢2 teaspoons cinnamon
▢1 teaspoon salt
▢1 teaspoon baking soda
For the Frosting:
▢8 ounce cream cheese softened
▢½ cup butter softened/slightly cold (see note)
▢2 cups powdered sugar
▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Pumpkin Bars:
Preheat oven to 350*F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan.
Using a large mixing bowl and hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, oil, pumpkin and vanilla on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix an additional 30 seconds. See photos above for texture.
In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the flour, baking, powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda with a whisk.
Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until well combined. The batter should be smooth. Check photos above for texture and consistency.
Spread in the 9x13 pan and bake for 28-30 minutes, until the top is matte. Insert a toothpick into the middle to test for doneness. It should come out clean.
For the frosting:
Beat the butter on high for 2 minutes. Add the cream cheese and beat until well combined. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until light and smooth.
Spread frosting on cooled pumpkin bars.
Enjoy and let us know how you liked them!