Nope, You’re Not Growing Out of Your ADHD—Here’s What Actually Helps

Because “just try harder” stopped working in Grade 3.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in Grade 2 and—like many kids—was told,

“You’ll grow out of it.”Yeah… about that.Turns out, ADHD doesn’t politely pack its bags and disappear when you hit puberty. It doesn’t vanish at varsity or evaporate once you get a job. It just shape-shifts. And unless you learn to manage it, it keeps tripping you up, usually in sneakier, more frustrating ways.

But I Thought I Was Fine Now?

Here’s what happens:

The fidgeting might chill out. The blurting and impulsivity? Not so much.Adult ADHD often shows up as:

• Cutting people off mid-sentence
• Hitting “send” before reading that email back
• Swearing at taxis on the highway
• Saying yes to too much, and then ghosting everyone because you're drowning

If this sounds familiar, you’re not a failure. You’re not broken. You’re just still ADHD. Welcome to the club.

Meds Help, But They’re Not a Magic Fix

I’m not anti-medication. I take mine. It helps.

But here’s what it doesn’t do:

• Teach you how to start things you don’t want to do
• Show you how to stop doomscrolling at 1am
• Remind you where you put your car keys or how to say no to your boss
• Fix your schedule, your budget, or your relationships

That’s where life skills coaching comes in.

What Coaching Taught Me (That “Just Try Harder” Never Did)

1. Brains like mine need systems
   Not colour-coded planners I’ll never open. Actual systems that fit how I work.
2. Motivation is not coming to save you
   Waiting to “feel ready” is like waiting for a unicorn. Coaching taught me to move anyway.
3. Accountability doesn’t mean shame
   ADHD doesn’t need more guilt, it needs structure, support, and someone in your corner.

Wait—ADHD Gets Worse With Age?

Kind of.

Hyperactivity often dials down, but impulsivity? That sucker turns up the volume.Adult ADHD can look like:

• Starting arguments you didn’t mean to have
• Spending money you meant to save
• Interrupting someone… while telling yourself not to interrupt
• Crashing emotionally because one thing went sideways

It’s not a moral failing. It’s your nervous system running a race with no shoes.

You’re Not Lazy. You’re Not Broken. You’re Just Wired Differently.

Let me say that again, because it’s the whole point. You are not lazy. You are not stupid. You are not doomed.

You are an ADHD brain trying to survive in a neurotypical world without a manual.But you can learn how to:

• Stop spiralling
• Build a routine that doesn't make you want to cry
• Actually finish the stuff you start
• Regulate your mood before you rage-text your ex
• Navigate life without burning out, blowing up, or bailing

Let’s Be Real—You’ve Tried Doing It Alone

And how’s that working out?ADHD coaching is practical, judgement-free, and built for brains that zig when others zag.

I’m here to help you stop floundering and start figuring it out, on your terms. In-person in Randpark Ridge or online from anywhere

📧 graeme@strivelife.co.za | 📱 +27 76 161 8082

🌐 Book a free consult: www.strivelife.co.za