Family, Friendship, and Mental Health

Family has always been my anchor in this unpredictable world. My wife and children are my greatest sources of strength, grounding me when life feels chaotic. They remind me daily of what truly matters. I express love through acts of service—building, fixing, doing. It’s how I’ve always shown I care. But relationships, particularly friendships, haven’t always been easy for me.

ADHD brings with it a constant whirlwind of thoughts, and that “out of sight, out of mind” mentality can make it hard to maintain friendships. I’ve lost touch with people who mattered, not because I didn’t care, but because I got caught up in the rush of life. That rejection sensitivity? It can sting. When I give my all to someone and don’t get the same in return, it hurts. But through the years, I’ve learned to find peace with this. Those who’ve stuck by me through thick and thin are the ones who truly matter, and I’m grateful for them.

Mental health has been a constant undercurrent in my life. I’ve had my struggles, like many do, but over time I’ve learned to manage it. Understanding ADHD has been key—learning how my brain works, how I feel things deeply, and how I need to validate my emotions without expecting others to fix things for me. It’s been a process of self-acceptance, one where I’ve had to learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and that I don’t have to be perfect.