The term ‘luxury’ is subjective. Some people feel that luxury implies some sort of exclusivity or increased price. Something impressive. Something worth fighting for. And yeah, I guess all of those things are true to a certain extent.

But for me, a luxury is something that you don’t necessarily have to have. Like, life would still go on in a decent way without it. So things like food, water, shelter, safety, love — those aren’t luxuries in my mind; they’re essentials. Basic human rights. But shelter in a desirable area or a life filled with all of the things you want? Well, for me, all that’s a luxury.

Not to say that all things that are unnecessary shouldn’t matter. I don’t think that’s true either. It’s just that they’re not necessary to live a fulfilling life. So I think that it’s also fair to say that there are plenty of luxuries that significantly add benefit to your day-to-day life, despite being unnecessary.

And for me, coffee is one of those unnecessarily necessary things.

Now, everything is getting more expensive by the day. Everything. Coffee included. But coffee’s one of those things that we can still get fairly cheaply compared to other things — depending on where you go. Local gas stations and diners still have cups of coffee for less than $3. May not be top of the line artesian, but I mean… it’s coffee.

But for many, having access to coffee is the luxury. Not so much the coffee itself. I am fortunate enough to have access to it and have a family who understands my need for it. But the sad reality is that many don’t. So yeah, coffee’s a luxury. Good coffee is even more of a luxury.

And I truly think my l life would be so bleak without good coffee. Why?

Basically, because of ADHD.

So, because I have ADHD, coffee doesn’t actually do much for me other than allow for my brain to focus. It doesn’t give me a burst of energy or the jitters. I don’t feel like I can accomplish the world. Coffee doesn’t make me wake up any better than I do without drinking it. I also don’t experience a crash after my body fully digests it like most people do.

Coffee, for me, is more of a mood regulator. If I’m having trouble getting over something that upsets me, coffee. If my kids are in a particularly bad mood, coffee (for me, not for them lol). If I can’t get myself to focus on something that I need to do because of the ADHD urge to procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate until I can’t procrastinate any more, coffee.

But it’s not just for mood. It’s deeper than that. ADHD is essentially chronic boredom. The brain is constantly searching for some sort of stimulation. Some sort of way to keep itself functioning properly. For me, the world is always either too quiet or too loud — and there’s very seldomly an in-between. And you know what’s helpful for that? You guessed it… coffee.

When the world is too quiet or slow, drinking coffee gives my brain that extra *razzle dazzle* to be able to focus and be in the moment. It speeds my brain up just enough to be okay in a setting that I would otherwise find boring and eventually dissociate. And when the world is too loud, drinking coffee actually gives my brain a chill pill so that I can focus on tuning out some of the noise.

Coffee for many is a cup of happiness. For me, it’s literally a dose of dopamine, one of the organic chemicals responsible for happiness. Dopamine is essentially what balances me.

So… without coffee, my world would literally be unbalanced. Off kilter. Either super loud or dead silent. Boring or hectic. Pitch black or blindingly bright.

Because I’m late-diagnosed and high-masking, I’ve learned how to blend in fairly well to society. But learning about my son’s autism diagnosis has led me to start unmasking more to better understand myself. I also don’t like the idea of relying on a medication for the rest of my life. So while I understand how to mask and cover up the signs of discomfort caused by my dopamine deficiency, I choose to remain unmasked and drink coffee when I need it instead.

To me, a good cup of coffee is always the answer. And while it’s not necessary… I guess it kinda is, right?

Do you like coffee? If you do, how do you like it? And if you have ADHD, how does caffeine affect you? Sound off below!

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About the Author

Alexandra is the founder of the ‘Tism Things platform and owner of online business The Shop by ‘Tism Things. A proud stay-at-home wife and mama to two amazing, smart, and empowered littles, Alexandra frequently spends her time learning about autism and ADHD, its effects on families and caregivers, and ways to support individuals with either or both conditions. Driven by her son and husband’s autism and ADHD diagnoses, Alexandra prides herself on employing creative methods to adapt her household into one that welcomes people of all neurological types, aiming to foster a sense of inclusivity, understanding and acceptance among anyone’s path she crosses.

When she’s not in a ’tism rabbit hole on the internet or playing with her babies, she’s likely out shopping, cooking something yummy, helping out her grandparents, or out in the garden trying to keep her plants alive in this Georgia heat. Honestly, probably that last one.

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