Hi there everyone! Welcome to the Marvelers. We are Anthea and Damian, just your everyday couple with ADHD. In our early 20s, we were diagnosed with ADHD. As of February 2024, we’re a long-distance couple that had met online at the height of Covid-19. We’ve been in a long-distance relationship for nearly three years now. Of course, being in a relationship–on a long-distance relationship–with our ADHD is challenging. However, after trials and errors, we have finally learned enough about how to thrive in an LDR, and today we want to share with you how to thrive in a long-distance relationship when you have ADHD.
We’ve learned that love knows no bounds, not even the bounds of distance or ADHD. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom we’ve gathered along the way on how to not just survive but thrive in an LDR with ADHD:
Communication is Key
We’ve made it a point to overcommunicate. From our daily schedules to our emotional highs and lows, keeping the communication channels wide open helps us stay connected despite the miles between us. ADHD might make us forgetful at times, but we’ve got each other’s backs.
Embrace Flexibility
With ADHD in the picture, plans don’t always go as planned. Instead of getting bogged down by the unexpected, we’ve learned to roll with the punches and embrace the spontaneity that comes with it. Flexibility keeps our relationship dynamic and exciting.
Utilize Technology Wisely
Thank the stars for technology! From shared calendars to reminder apps, we’ve leveraged technology to help us stay organized and on track. Setting alarms for important dates and tasks ensures that our ADHD brains don’t let anything slip through the cracks.
Create Rituals
Despite the physical distance, we’ve created our own rituals to stay connected. Whether it’s watching our favorite show together over video call or sending each other surprise care packages, these rituals serve as anchors that keep us grounded in our love for each other.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Living with ADHD means embracing imperfection. Instead of getting hung up on missed calls or forgotten messages, we celebrate the progress we’ve made together. Every small victory, whether it’s a heartfelt conversation or a thoughtful gesture, brings us closer.
Support Each Other’s Growth
Lastly, we’ve learned to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Living with ADHD comes with its ups and downs, but having a partner who understands and supports our individual journeys makes all the difference. Whether it’s seeking therapy or exploring new coping mechanisms, we’re in this together.
As we eagerly anticipate closing the distance in late 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for the lessons we’ve learned and the growth we’ve experienced. Our journey as a couple with ADHD has been nothing short of an adventure, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
So, to all the fellow ADHD warriors out there navigating long-distance love, remember this: you’re not alone, and your love is limitless, even across the miles.
Until next time, keep thriving, keep loving, and keep dancing to the beat of your own ADHD drum.
With love and ADHD-fueled excitement,
Anthea and Damian
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