Why Masking Should Be Reserved for Halloween: A Message for ADHD Entrepreneurs

Running a business as an ADHD entrepreneur can be challenging enough without feeling like you need to hide who you truly are. The world might expect you to fit into a neat box, but trying to blend in by masking your ADHD traits is not only exhausting but unnecessary. Let’s be clear: masks are for Halloween, not for business!

The Reality of Masking for ADHD Entrepreneurs

Masking is the act of hiding or suppressing certain behaviours, thoughts, or traits to fit into environments that don’t naturally suit us. For many entrepreneurs with ADHD, masking is a daily habit—suppressing our natural creativity, holding back ideas in meetings, or forcing ourselves to work in a rigid way that feels counterintuitive. It’s like wearing a costume every day of the year—fun for a party, not so fun for everyday life.

Here’s the problem: when you’re constantly masking, you can’t fully express your true self, which means your business may not reach its full potential. You’re using up valuable mental energy pretending to be someone else rather than putting that energy into innovation, creativity, or problem-solving.

Reminder: If you wouldn’t wear a witch’s hat to the office in July, why are you wearing a mental mask daily?

The Hidden Cost of Masking

While masking might help you avoid uncomfortable conversations or awkward moments, over time, it can lead to burnout, anxiety, and frustration. Think about it—if you spent every day pretending to be someone you’re not, how long could you keep it up before you snapped?

Wearing a mask in your business life means:

• Exhaustion: Keeping up the act requires constant mental effort.

• Missed opportunities: Suppressing your ideas or adapting to fit in might prevent you from innovating or growing your business.

• Disconnected relationships: Clients and colleagues want to connect with the real you, not the version you think they want to see.

Why Authenticity Matters

In business, people are drawn to authenticity. Clients, collaborators, and employees are more likely to trust and connect with you when you’re genuine. When you embrace who you are—ADHD quirks and all—you’ll find your business relationships more meaningful and successful.

Plus, trying to act like everyone else in the business is like showing up to Halloween as a generic ghost when you could be showing up as something creative and unique. The latter is memorable; the former is quickly forgotten.

Tips for Ditching the Mask

1. Embrace Your Strengths: ADHD comes with unique skills that many neurotypical people envy. Whether you can hyperfocus, develop creative solutions on the fly, or bring energy to a room, these traits are valuable in business. Instead of hiding them, use them to your advantage.

2. Laugh at the Quirks: We all have moments when ADHD traits show up—forgetting a detail mid-conversation or jumping from one idea to the next. Instead of being embarrassed, add a little humour to the situation. “Oh, there goes my brain again, sprinting ahead!” A good laugh can help everyone feel more at ease and show you’re comfortable with yourself.

3. Design a Business That Works for You: Your business should reflect your working style, not vice versa. If you work best in short bursts, set your day to allow that. If routine tasks drain you, automate them or delegate them. Being true to yourself means creating systems that play to your strengths, not forcing you into a mould that doesn’t fit.

4. Communicate Your Needs: If specific business processes or interactions don’t align with how your brain works, don’t be afraid to voice that. You might be surprised at how flexible people are when they know what you need to perform at your best. Saying something as simple as, “I work better with short meetings and clear agendas,” can set expectations without masking your natural tendencies.

5. Celebrate Your Wins: ADHD brains often operate differently, which means your achievements might look different from someone else’s. Embrace your unique journey and celebrate the wins from thinking outside the box. Whether it’s landing a client because of a creative pitch or finding a new workflow that works for you, recognising these victories boosts confidence and reinforces that authenticity brings success.

Leave the Mask for Halloween

Masking may feel like a temporary fix, but it’s unsustainable in the long run. Business thrives on trust, innovation, and relationships—all of which are hard to nurture if you hide who you indeed are. So, this Halloween, let’s keep the masks to costumes and horror films and spend the rest of the year focusing on being ourselves.

As ADHD entrepreneurs, we have much to offer: creativity, resilience, and a unique perspective that sets us apart. By letting go of masking, you’re making it easier for yourself and giving your clients, colleagues, and employees the chance to see—and value—the real you.

Ready to build a business that reflects the real you? Join our community of entrepreneurs who are letting go of the mask, embracing authenticity, and finding that success comes easiest when we’re true to ourselves.

Remember, the only masks you need this year are for Halloween. Every other day? Let’s keep it accurate.