Trying to leave the house on time…
Keys in hand. Shoes on.
Ready to walk out the door.
Except… my brain has other plans.
On the way to the door, I spot:
- The laundry I meant to switch over earlier
- That plant that really needs repotting
- An email I should have answered yesterday
- A pair of headphones I suddenly decide to untangle
- A cat giving me the “you forgot my snack” face
- And the front door lock, which I now must check three times because… what if it feels different today?
By the time I’m actually in the car (or halfway down the street if I’m walking), I’m already late.
Not because I didn’t care about being on time. Not because I wasn’t prepared.
But because time blindness teamed up with side quest syndrome and hijacked the mission.
Why This Happens
For many neurodivergent people, the “leaving the house” process is a minefield of distractions. We notice details other people might tune out, and once our attention locks onto them, it’s hard to break away.
Pair that with the brain’s fuzzy relationship with time, and every detour feels like it will “only take a second.” Spoiler: it never does.
The Frustration (and the Humor)
Yes, it can be frustrating for us, and for the people waiting on us.
But it can also be weirdly funny when you look back at all the tiny, ridiculous things that delayed you. Like that one time I went to grab my keys and ended up deep-cleaning the fridge instead.
It’s not a flaw in motivation or responsibility. It’s a wiring difference.
One that makes everyday routines a little more… adventurous.
Tips That Sometimes Help (But Not Always)
- Set “leave the house” alarms 15–30 minutes earlier than needed
- Have a “launch pad” spot by the door for essentials
- Make peace with the fact that you will probably still get distracted by something absurd at least once
And remember — if this is you, you’re not lazy.
You’re just navigating life with a brain that doesn’t travel in straight lines.
