It’s no secret that a lot of us ADHDers really enjoy music in its various forms, and most of us would like to see more awareness out there of what ADHD is. Well, a woman named Mareya has taken those two things and combined them to write a song about what it means to have ADHD! And the best thing is it’s called ADHD and Me!
When I first checked out the music video, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I found was a catchy tune that really grabs your attention. I just knew I had to find out more about the person who wrote it, so I invited her to do a blog style interview and she kindly said yes.
What first inspired you to write ADHD and Me?
I wrote it to try and make peace with it or accept that it was something that I had while I was in the process of being diagnosed.
Was it important for you to share your personal experience openly through music?
Absolutely! I wanted to inspire others to be more open with it and to validate people like me who share the same experiences. I wanted ADHDers to have a pop anthem they can bop to and relate to right to the core.
How did the songwriting process feel — was it emotional? Cathartic? Fun?
It was all of those for me. It was mostly cathartic and fun but writing the bridge of the song hit me hard emotionally.
Did writing the song help you understand your ADHD differently?
To a degree yes, it was mostly me taking what I already understood about it and turning it into a catchy and relatable pop song though.
“Have people around you who accept and love you for who you are and who are patient and supportive with you!”
~ MaREYA
What parts of ADHD do you find the most challenging?
Executive function and emotional dysregulation… (I haven’t done my last 3 years of tax returns because of it…lol this is a good reminder to do so!)
Are there parts you actually feel are superpowers?
Yes actually! All of the random facts that I have accumulated over the years from all of my hyperfixations haha! Also – the amazing amount of stuff we can accomplish during a hyperfixation mode.
What are some common misunderstandings people have about ADHD?
Ohhh so many!
– ADHD isn’t a real condition
– We just need to get a diary
– We can’t ever focus
– All kids with ADHD are just hyperactive
– That it’s the result of ‘bad parenting’
– That we’ll grow out of it
– We are incapable of achieving our goals
– We aren’t smart enough
– We are just weird or quirky
– We are ‘too much’
– It’s a result of laziness or lack of discipline
– We just need to ‘try harder’
How have people responded to the song so far?
Great! I’ve had maybe like 1 hate comment and that’s it but those just make me laugh
Have you had anyone say: “That’s exactly how I feel”?
I sure have actually! Which is really special to me.
“It’s amazing what we can acomplish in hyperfixation mode”
~ Mareya
What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed with ADHD?
Use Google tasks for all of your random ‘to do lists’ because you can categorise them, tick them off as you go (and it keeps a log of all the things you’ve completed which is a nice reward to see) and you can also sync it to your calendar!
Also to use the ‘hey Siri’ or ‘hey Google’ function on your phone because daaaamn that is SO helpful when I’m in the middle of one task but remember something random I need to do and I can set a reminder to come back to it so I can try to stay on the task I was doing at the time and not have anxiety I’ll forget the next thing I need to do or something I forgot was on next week etc! E.g., doing dishes but my hands are wet, I can just use that so I don’t have to pick up my phone to set a reminder and then get distracted by my phone!
I also recommend podcasts about ADHD hacks and also books about ADHD if you like reading. Also most importantly, have people around you who accept and love you for who you are and who are patient and supportive with you!
Do you hope your song helps others feel less alone?
Yes yes and yes!! This is one of the main reasons I wrote the song!
Describe ADHD in 3 words.
Debilitating, Confusing, Absent (Struggling to be present because our brains are always onto the next thing).
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Oh it is so hard to say one so here’s a few that I can’t decide between:
– Alive: Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan, Stevie Nicks & Nina Simone
– Passed: Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Jeff Buckley & Kurt Cobain
Check out Mareya’s “ADHD and Me’ song here. You can also follow her socials here.
It’s so great when people in the ADHD community can come together to share success, validate experiences and do more because we’re better together than one person can ever be on their own. Catch you in two weeks ADHDers, where I’ll be doing a blog article linked to legal protections for ADHD in the UK touching upon the differences with the USA.
