I feel like I'm pretty successful--but I also had a pretty decent leg up by being born into an upper middle class semi-Caucasian American family.

My parents weren't actually born into the American upper middle class themselves, though. My mother is an immigrant with basic educational attainment in her home country and my father was nearly able to complete his AA before getting drafted into the US Army - but with both of them working and making strategic career choices, they were pretty firmly established as part of the American upper middle class by the time I was born.

Thanks to my parents, I grew up in a safe neighborhood, attended K-12 public schools in a good school district, and had an excellent (and very patient) childcare provider during my elementary school years. I worked part-time through college to pay for extra-curricular activities, eating out, gas, and my car loan/insurance/maintenance, but my parents paid for my public university education in its entirety.

Even though I was only just diagnosed with combined ADHD about 1.5 years ago, I've been easily distracted, absent-minded, hyperactive, and impulsive for as long as I can rememeber. My ADHD quirks are part of what makes me so entertaining or fun to be around--and why I'm so great at providing customer service with a smile... but those same traits aren't as useful as a partner, parent, confidant, and employee...

But, I've been at the same workplace for 10 years (in a few different depts) and have gradually moved up in responsibility, autonomy, and income. And, I've been with the same person for 12.5 years (married for 3.5 years with a 2.5 year old son, too). And, with medication, I've finally started getting better at managing my time and responsibilities as a mom, wife, friend, employee, daughter, and aunt.

Still a long way to go for sure, but I'm optimistic and thankful for my continuing upward trajectory.

...word vomit, sorry...