The 20-minute "Driveway Sit"
I spent 20 minutes sitting in my car yesterday after I pulled into the driveway. Engine off, lights off, just staring at the garage door. I knew my wife and kids were on the other side of that door. I knew there was dinner to make, homework to help with, and "Dad" duties to perform. But I was absolutely empty. I’d spent the last 9 hours "masking"—nodding in meetings I couldn't focus on, triple-checking emails so I didn't look careless, and forcing my brain to act "normal." It’s a special kind of exhaustion that hits when you're 40+ and realize you’ve been running this marathon for decades without even knowing you were wearing lead boots. The hardest part isn't the work itself; it's the guilt of having nothing left for the people who matter most because I spent all my "functional" energy just trying to survive the office. I used to think I was just lazy or a bad husband. Turns out, my brain just processes the world at a different frequency, and I never had the right manual for it. Anyone else find themselves sitting in the car a little longer these days just to find the "on" switch one more time? I’m building a small corner of the internet for guys like us (40+, ADHD, trying to find some balance). If you’re tired of sitting in the car alone, you’re welcome to come hang out with us. No gurus, just guys figuring it out together. Join us here: ADHD Success for Men 40+