5 Fierce Reasons to Forgive: Why ADHD Minds Must Drop Grudges and Ditch the Drama

How Letting Go of the Forgetful, the Frustrating, and the Flat-Out Clueless Can Free Your Frazzled Brain

Ah, forgiveness! It’s like chicken soup for the ADHD soul—except sometimes the chicken forgets why it walked into the soup in the first place. And forgiving neurotypicals who don’t get it? OY VEY. That’s next-level mitzvah work. But here’s why it’s worth it:

1. Because Holding a Grudge is Like Paying Rent in Your Own Head

Listen, ADHD already makes your brain feel like a radio stuck between stations—do you really want to waste more bandwidth kvetching about someone who doesn’t get it? You’ll be up all night arguing with imaginary people in the shower. Trust me, they’re sleeping just fine. You? Not so much.

2. Because Most of Them Aren’t Malicious—They’re Just… Limited

Nu, what do you expect? They were raised in a world where “just try harder” actually works. Must be nice! Meanwhile, we’re over here treating planners like ancient scrolls—sacred, but mostly decorative. They don’t get it because they never had to. You gonna stay mad at a fish for not knowing how to knit?

3. Holding onto resentment is a total disaster for your nervous system! Like eating gas station sushi—it’s only gonna hurt you in the end!

Listen, carrying anger around is like schlepping a bag of potatoes up a hill—it’s heavy, it’s exhausting, and half of them are already sprouting. You think they’re suffering? Nah, they’re out here balancing checkbooks and remembering appointments like it’s nothing. Meanwhile, you’re rehearsing the perfect comeback three years too late. Drop the bag, bubbeleh.

4. Because Sometimes, They Can Learn (If You Let Them)

I know, I know—explaining ADHD to a neurotypical is like trying to teach your bubbie to use an iPhone. (“What do you mean I have 237 tabs open? I only use one at a time!”) But some of them? They actually try. They listen. They get better. And when they do, they become allies instead of aggravations. But not if you’re too busy giving them the silent treatment.

5. Because You Have More Important Things to Worry About

Like where you put your phone. Or why you just walked into this room. Or why you have 47 half-finished projects but somehow still started a new one. ADHD life is already chaos—don’t waste your precious energy on resentment when you could be using it to, I don’t know, find your car keys.

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So What’s the Game Plan?

1. Acknowledge that they don’t get it. (Yes, it’s annoying. No, it’s not a personal attack.)

2. Decide if they’re worth educating. (Some are, some aren’t. Choose wisely.)

3. Set boundaries if needed. (“I love you, but if you tell me to ‘just focus’ one more time, I’m switching your coffee to decaf.”)

4. Reframe their ignorance as their problem, not yours. (“I have ADHD. You have no idea what that means. We’re even.”)

5. Move on, take a deep breath, and maybe have a nosh.

So, do yourself a favor, bubbeleh—forgive the schmendriks. Not because they’re right, not because they deserve it, but because you deserve the peace. 💙

Dr. Jeff Levine has spent decades helping entrepreneurs boost their productivity to the moon. But let’s be clear—he’s not a licensed therapist, so don’t start spilling your childhood secrets to him. If you’re looking for ADHD or therapy resources, check this out: https://adhdonline.com/get-help/?msclkid=929b135866da187a01fe7122f8fe0765. Written and illustrated with a little help from Chat GPT 4-o, because even geniuses need a sidekick!