I've always had trouble paying attention to anything I was supposed to pay attention to. This difficulty was amplified in any environment that had sounds or other intrusive stimuli that were out of my control. The constant pressure to "just get over it" and keep up made me feel so frustrated with myself. Why couldn't I do what seemed so easy for everyone else? I was diagnosed with ADHD in my late 20s, which helped me make sense of my early life experiences. I developed the language to advocate for myself and seek accommodations when possible. Over time, I built an arsenal of skills and tools to help me cope and function in everyday life. Accepting my different needs helped me cope and reduced my overall stress levels. I want to offer my support and validation to those with similar experiences. We're not alone, and succeeding in environments not built for us is possible.