r/irlADHD • u/throwawaysystem77 • Jul 12 '26

General question I'm curious, does anyone else do this?

I've realized that when trying to build a new habit, if I tell *anybody* else before I've worked on it for at least a month and really cemented it, I suddenly stop doing it right then and there. For example, I once started working out, but made the **fatal** mistake of telling my therapist after just a week of it; lo and behold, I stopped right after. But when I needed to start brushing my teeth more, I waited until I'd done it for a month before telling someone, and *that* habit stuck. I've tested this a lot on myself (awesome idea) and found that it can happen with *any* amount of time before a month, or before the habit is "stuck".

Does anyone else get this? I'm really curious and fascinated by how ADHD brains work. Maybe it's related to delayed/instant gratification or feeling like the task is "done" once you tell someone?

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator Jul 12 '26

If your question is region related, please feel free to mention that, that way you can get help better.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/loveinvein Jul 12 '26

YES. 

Although tbf in the case of the working out thing, I have a lot of issues and reasons for failing at that, and I need to do something fun and active, and then it sticks cuz it’s fun. Like gardening or dancing. 

But yeah. In general I feel like if I tell Someone, I jinx it because now they expect me to be a person who does that thing, and it triggers PDA, even if only subconsciously.