Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation—maybe telling a story, maybe making a point—when suddenly…
Wait… What were we talking about again?
Welcome to the winding, scenic, occasionally potholed road of an ADHD-style conversation.
It Starts With Good Intentions…
One second you’re talking about how weirdly satisfying it is to reorganize your books by color, and the next you’re explaining the entire history of medieval pigments, then somehow pivoting into a passionate rant about stationery, and before you know it you’re deep-diving into a random childhood memory about the smell of library paste.
Was there a point? Absolutely.
Did we ever actually get to it? …maybe?
Why Does This Happen?
For many folks with ADHD (or adjacent tendencies), conversations aren’t linear. They’re constellation-shaped. Each new detail, word, or shared memory lights up a new star, and our brain goes: Ooooh, shiny! Follow that one!
- This is called “associative thinking.”
- It’s creative, curious, and super fun; but also, yes, sometimes frustrating.
It’s not about a lack of attention. It’s about too much attention…to everything all at once.
The Magic (and the Mess) of It All
People with ADHD-style conversations tend to:
- Jump between topics rapidly
- Interrupt (often from excitement, not rudeness)
- Forget where they were mid-sentence
- Tell stories like a Russian nesting doll
- Circle back… eventually
- Or not… (we meant to!)
But here’s the thing: this kind of conversation is rarely boring. It’s vibrant, alive, and full of unexpected treasures.
For Those Who Relate: Be Kind To Your Brain
If this feels familiar, here’s your gentle reminder:
- You’re not “bad at talking.”
- You’re not “scatterbrained.”
- You’re not “too much.”
You are wired for curiosity, connection, and creativity. Your brain builds bridges between ideas faster than most people can walk a straight line. That’s not a flaw. That’s f’n magic.
A Few Loving Strategies (If You Want Them)
Jot down anchor words when you’re chatting, to help you circle back later.
Laugh about it with friends; most people find the detours delightful.
Use phrases like:
- “Okay, before I got excited, what was I saying?”
- “Bookmark that thought!”
- “Let me loop back for a second.”
And if the conversation never makes it back? That’s okay too. Connection happened anyway.
For The Friends, Family, and Listeners
If you love someone with an ADHD-style conversation style:
- Be patient.
- Be curious.
- And maybe… enjoy the scenic route.
Because the best stories don’t always go in a straight line.
Life, and conversation, isn’t always about the destination. Sometimes the magic is the detour.
So cheers to the winding road. The “wait, what were we talking about again?” moments.
You’re not lost, my friend. You’re exploring the endless possibilities.
Also… thanks for listening.
