I have being LATE AT AGE 15. NOW AT 32 STILL LATE MOST OF THE TIME.

How can ADHD ADULT navigate worklife for tardiness at work ?.

Is a struggle for me since 15 and I need help.

I not sure what also cause me to be late from 15 till now.

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I dont have adhd but i set alarms for every little thing. Alarm to shower, alarm to headout. Alarm to reach place etc. fill my calendars w everything n refer to them

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Always struggle to rely on alarm as i am always procrastinating to get out of bed.

Hi Ouchast_93,

Thanks for sharing — carrying this struggle since you were 15 and still fighting to be understood is exhausting. It’s clear you’re working incredibly hard, and it takes courage to reach out for help. Let’s unpack this together, step by step.

ADHD can distort how we perceive time, plan tasks, or transition between activities. For example, you might intend to leave on time, but distractions hijack your focus, or you underestimate how long tasks take. This isn’t your fault—it’s your brain wiring working differently in a world designed for neurotypical rhythms.

Are you comfortable to explore the following?

  1. Patterns: What does the 30 minutes before work or any to-do-task look like? Are there specific triggers (e.g., losing track of time while getting ready, distractions like your phone)?
  2. Experiments: Some people with ADHD find “body doubling” (having someone nearby to help focus) or visual timers useful. What’s one tiny adjustment you could test this week?
  3. Self-Compassion: How might it feel to remind yourself, “This is my ADHD, not my worth”?

This isn’t a moral failure. Your brain just needs strategies tailored to its wiring. For example laying out clothes/keys the night before. Small tweaks can add up.

You’re not alone in this, Ouchast_93. Let’s keep untangling it together.

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Yes, it’s frustrating to be late despite that you’ve tried.

Could you share with me on what might have caused the lateness?