Building on what I wrote last week, travelling is another big hurdle when it comes to ADHD. Trains in the UK are already stressful enough, and on top of that you have to keep track of your belongings, remember where you’re going, and deal with the constant worry of losing something. Eventually it all becomes too much.
I’ve had plenty of bad experiences on trains. I’ve lost my wallet, my charger, and even my suitcase at times. And every time it happens, I start to hate the world for how frustrating trains are, but eventually that frustration turns inward, and I blame myself instead.
The difference now is that I try not to look at it all so negatively. I try to learn from it. These days, I make lists of everything I bring. I read it once when I get on, and again before I get off. I keep my suitcase close to me. If I can’t trust myself to remember it, I set reminders or alarms on my phone.
And then there is time management. People with ADHD are famously late – but there is one simple rule that helps me: aim to be early, not on time. I am actually writing this blog on the train today, and for once I wasn’t rushing. Normally I am rushing for the platform or sitting there far too early – but between those two options, being early is definitely better.
Travelling with ADHD will probably never go without effort. But with the right strategy, it doesn’t have to be chaos either.
