For #ADHDAwarenessMonth I want to talk about one of the least known aspects of ADHD: time management. There is only Now and Not-Now. Because we can't feel time passing, we are often late, miss deadlines, procrastinate endlessly and overestimate what can be done in a given time.

Not being able to feel time passing means that any sort of pain feels like it will go on forever. We can't set plans, work towards goals or work for rewards because those aren't happening NOW. Old memories can seem like an hour ago. We can't future project how to attain a goal.

Getting older is confusing and upsetting. Most people feel younger but we don't even have a sense of that. We can look immature and dressed inappropriately as we age because we've no concept of time passing and we're fixed in the amber of Right Now, not a specific year or age.

Not being able to feel time passing means that the usual routines people have are meaningless, even unhelpful to us. Why must we work 9-5 when we do our best work after 10pm? Why can't we shower at 4pm and have curry for breakfast? We don't feel times of the day, only Right Now.

Issues with time is one of my most severe aspects of ADHD and one of the reasons I don't drink or take drugs is that trying to cope with time makes me feel groggy and spaced out and it's unpleasant, so I don't need to amplify that.