July 6th 2025
Hey there!
Happy Momentum Monday (on a Sunday)!
Today we’re diving into RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) and it’s something A LOT of us have experienced on a regular basis, but just thought (or were told) that we were too sensitive.
You know that feeling when someone takes a little too long to reply… and suddenly you. are. spiraling?
“They’re mad at me.”
“I screwed something up.”
“They must not like me anymore.”
Welp. That’s just one example of RSD hijacking the narrative. And when it hits, it hits hard.
But what if we flipped the lens?
Here’s the thing:
There are plenty of times you don’t text back right away.
Not because you’re mad or secretly hating someone, but because you’re overwhelmed. Or your brain is juggling 42 tabs. Or you just can’t right now.
And if someone came at you with, “Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?” you’d probably feel worse. You’re already stretched thin, and now it’s your job to reassure them, too?
Right. So let’s think about it:
If we want permission to say “not right now” without being guilt-tripped…
If we want our “no” or “later” to be received with grace…
Then we have to offer that same grace to others.
Want to dive deeper into your specific “brand” of ADHD?
Why this matters (especially for ADHD brains):
👉 Our brains are wired to interpret ambiguity as rejection. This goes back to a lizard brain survival tactic kind of thing.
👉 Many of us are hypersensitive to emotional shifts.
👉 And sometimes, we forget that other people have lives and struggles that have nothing to do with us.
That coworker who didn’t smile? Maybe they’re rehashing a breakup in their head.
That friend who left you on read? Maybe they’re peopled out, not pissed off.
Sometimes people just need a minute. And it’s not about you. Or me.
I’d also just like to quickly point out:
This isn’t a free pass to ghost people.
We’ve all been there, ignored by a friend, left in limbo after a date, ghosted by someone we thought we could trust. And when RSD is lurking, that silence feels like rejection on steroids.
But most people would much rather hear a simple, honest update than be left hanging in the dark.
Ghosting is avoidant. It’s disrespectful. And unless there’s a serious safety concern, it’s rarely justified. You don’t need to over-explain—just close the loop. Clarity is kindness.
This Week’s Action Item:
When your brain starts to spiral about someone’s delay or distance…
Stop.
Flip the lens.
Ask: What might be happening on their side?
Then extend the grace you’d want if the roles were reversed.
We’re not trying to bypass our feelings but we are trying to stop assuming the worst. That’s where the growth is. That’s where the healing is. That’s how we take care of ourselves and our people.
Big love my peeps, you’ve got this 💛
Leah 🌶️