I stare at my phone, scrolling through messages I forgot to reply to.
“Hey, wanna hang out?” … Three days ago.
“How’s life?” … A week ago.
I want to answer. I really do. But something stops me. It’s not that I don’t care. It’s just… I never know when the right moment is.
I get lost in my own world—projects, hyperfocus, distractions. And before I know it, days turn into weeks and I realize… I haven’t seen anyone in a while.
ADHD & Social Isolation
Friendships require consistency, but ADHD makes consistency a challenge.
- I forget to text back.
- I lose track of time.
- I assume people don’t want to hear from me anymore.
It’s not that I don’t want friends. I just don’t always know how to maintain friendships without burning myself out.
Trying to Fix It
I’m learning that small steps matter:
Immediate replies when I can – Before I forget.
Scheduling social time like appointments – If it’s on my calendar, I’ll commit.
Letting friends know I care, even if I’m quiet – A simple “Hey, thinking of you” goes a long way.
I may not be the best at staying in touch, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care. ADHD just makes social life feel… complicated.
Elias Carter 