When I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago I felt like I needed to re-learn life.

Suddenly I was aware of the “why” behind many of my struggles. I began to understand how my brain could alternate between acting like my best friend and my worst enemy.

One of the first lessons I learned is that there is no “one size fits all” solution for managing ADHD. Like they say:

“If you’ve met one person with ADHD, you’ve met one person with ADHD.”

Being a dad with ADHD has presented the biggest challenge. Having kids is ultimately what led me to seek diagnosis. I’d spent more than 30 years cobbling together systems and work-arounds that helped me get by. Then, rather abruptly, all the compensations I’d developed stopped working when my first baby arrived. The playbook just wasn’t the same.

That’s a big reason why I started my Substack. I wanted to share my experience so that someone else out there who is late-diagnosed—someone who’s trying to figure out how to be an adult and parent with ADHD—can feel less alone, and learn a few things along the way.

Every day offers new lessons. Fulfilling my responsibilities while still trying to grasp how and why my brain works the way it does is a full-time job and a constantly moving target. It’s discouraging at times, but there are strategies that help.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing specific things that have helped me manage my ADHD and show up better as a husband and father.

Are these foolproof strategies that magically fix all your problems? No.

Do they have the power to improve your life in meaningful ways? Absolutely.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

* Managing Your Energy to Manage Your ADHD

* Momentum Is Your Friend—Also It’s Not

* Transitions Are Key

* The Domino Effect (The Negative and Positive)

* Move Your Damn Body

* Place Your Own Mask Before Assisting Others

Be sure to hit the subscribe button and follow along so you don’t miss any upcoming posts.

At the end of the day I want to be present for my kids, be a good partner to my wife, and stay regulated. These strategies have helped me, and I’m sure they can improve your life too!

That’s idea at least.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carignanevonpohle.substack.com