“Why Do I Keep Avoiding People I Actually Like?”
Ghosting isn’t always disinterest. For ADHDers, it’s often fear, overload, or shame. Here’s how AI can help you reconnect gently — without a guilt spiral.
You’ve done it.
I’ve done it.
We’ve all done it.
You really like someone — a friend, a collaborator, someone in your community — and you stop replying.
No dramatic reason. No argument.
Just silence.
You meant to respond. You wanted to respond.
But something in your brain said:
“Not right now. Later. When I have more energy. When I can do it right.”
And then later became never.
💔 ADHD Ghosting Isn’t Apathy — It’s Avoidance + Anxiety
For neurodivergent folks, especially those with ADHD, this kind of communication breakdown is rarely about disinterest.
It’s about:
Emotional bandwidth
Time blindness
Perfectionism
Shame over how long it’s been
A nervous system that froze and didn’t unfreeze
And ironically? The more we care, the harder it can be to show up again.
🧠 Where AI Comes In:
Sometimes the hardest part is writing the first line.
And the longer it’s been, the heavier it feels.
Here’s a prompt I’ve used to reopen a conversation that matters:
“I want to reconnect with someone I’ve been avoiding, not because I don’t care, but because I got overwhelmed. Can you help me write a kind, brief message that owns that without overexplaining?”
Let the shame move through. Let the message come out.
✍️ AI Might Offer:
“Hey — I’ve been meaning to reach out for a while, and I’m sorry I went quiet. It wasn’t about you. I hit a bit of a wall and didn’t know how to say so. I’d love to reconnect if you’re open to it.”
It doesn’t need to be dramatic.
It doesn’t need to explain everything.
It just needs to be sent.
💡 The Hardest Part Is the Return
If you’ve been holding guilt for disappearing, this is your reminder:
You’re allowed to come back.
Even if it’s been a while.
Even if you feel weird.
Even if you don’t know where to start.
AI can help you cross that emotional bridge — sentence by sentence — until you’re on the other side again.
💬 Who have you been meaning to reach out to? Try this prompt today. You don’t owe a perfect explanation — just a little truth and a lot of kindness.
– Jody