Neurodiversity and Fashion
Yep, this one checks out.
To the surprise of probably no one, I have ADHD.
It has affected me my entire life, and since becoming a father, I’ve noticed my symptoms being more exaggerated than in my younger years. Albeit, I have done diddly squat to help myself.
Now I know what you’re thinking: everyone is getting a diagnosis for ADHD these days. And while I laugh at that and am very aware that I am a walking punchline, I think it’s good that more adults are taking the time to understand their brains a bit better. And I strongly encourage you to seek medical advice if you think your brain works a little bit differently — and honestly, even if I learned I was neurotypical, I would have still felt comfort in knowing myself a little bit better.
I’ll be honest, there are plenty of things I hate about having ADHD:
Execution paralysis.
Getting irrationally frustrated when someone takes too long to get to the point.
Launching into a four-pronged story tangent and then completely forgetting what the original point was.
Forgetting important conversations and dates.
Leaving tasks 90% finished and somehow never crossing the line. (This affects the Substack more than you think — I’ve got a graveyard of half-written posts sitting in my drafts. Sorry, gang.)
…The list goes on.
But one of my favourite parts of having ADHD has been how deeply I’ve fallen in love with clothing.
Now, there are obvious downsides to being a fashionbro with ADHD: impulsive purchases, zero delayed gratification skills, and a near-superhuman ability to convince myself that buying another pair of trousers is somehow a responsible financial decision.
That said, I genuinely think my hyperfixations have made this Substack what it is.
Help! My Style is Changing and Now I Need New Pants
Picture this: I was getting ready for work one day. I’m a teacher (not a full-time writer yet, unfortunately), and working with 9-year-olds, I need to ensure whatever I wear is suitable, comfortable, and looks good. I was getting ready, I was putting on
You’ve probably noticed this in real time. One month, I’m convinced loafers are the most important thing ever created. Next, I’m knee-deep in finding the perfect sweater. Then it’s running gear, vintage tailoring, or some obscure fleece from a European label I discovered at 11:47 p.m. while I should have been asleep.
And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
How to be a menswear enthusiast on a budget.
(This originally started out as a “what I’ve been wearing lately” post, but as I was typing, it naturally changed direction. Isn’t it fun when your brain does that?)
Because when something grabs my attention, I don’t just like it — I need to understand it. I want to know who made it, why it was designed that way, what fabrics were used, and whether there’s a cheaper second-hand version lurking on eBay. That obsessive curiosity can be exhausting, but it also turns everyday interests into something far more meaningful.
So while ADHD can make life feel chaotic, it has also given me the ability to care — perhaps too much — about the things I love.