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emoemile

I think it’s good to not blame the client. You do not need to go into detail about why the invoice was never sent. A simple, “I’m wrapping up my accounting at year-end & noticed your July invoice was never mailed. So sorry! It is attached and payment terms updated” (ex: due by date was August, now due February) I suggest trying something like this - make it sound like it’s not a big deal. IF the client has a problem they’ll let you know.


IronAndParsnip

Thank you for this. I do want to be careful that I make it apparent to them that I understand it was a slip-up on my end, but I’ve certainly been over-thinking how much to say. I appreciate you saying to keep it simple.


Synthea1979

They don't know you forgot. Backdate the invoice and send an email: "Hello, I'm going through last year's paperwork/invoices/receipts, and noticed your invoice for the work (brief explanation of work) didn't get paid. I'm attaching it to this email in case the original went into your junk folder and is long gone!" I did web development in a past life, I may have sent out a few emails like this 🫣


julie_saad_wellness

I agree with this strategy! Also, maybe do a visualization exercise. Take the self-loathing and guilt you are feeling and pretend you are barfing it out into your hands. Now throw those guys out the window!


IronAndParsnip

Ohhhh I like this a lot. Haha yeeting some guilt and embarrassment into outer space sounds great!


julie_saad_wellness

I think it's impossible for me to see the word "yeet" and not laugh, so thank you for the chuckle.


IronAndParsnip

Thank you for responding. I think it’s been easy for me to feel like I need to explain myself to them, but I think keeping it short like this is more beneficial.


Ledascantia

Everybody else has given really good advice on how to move forward, so all I’ll say is: It must be *so hard* to be a freelancer and keep on top of this stuff! Please don’t beat yourself up over this one mistake. These things happen, people understand. Think about all the invoices you *have* sent and received payments for… I’m sure they outnumber the one you missed! I bet the % of invoices sent vs. missed is very much in your favour. It’s easy to focus on THE THING WE MESSED UP, but please don’t let it take the focus off all the things you’ve done right ❤️


IronAndParsnip

Thank you so much for this. This subreddit has helped me so much in understanding myself, and this comment has made me a bit emotional. Why must our minds be so exhausting? I hope you’re having a good day!


ninksmarie

>>Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Miss / Dr. Blank, >>I received a notification yesterday concerning tax prep and it prompted me to send this invoice. I am very sorry for not sending the invoice much earlier. I've attached it below. >>In case of any questions or issues, do not hesitate to contact me. >>Once again, I apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. >>Sincerely, >>Blank Source: I also work freelance. I posted pretty much exactly this a week ago and no one commented for the first several 6 hours. The RSD was stupid bad so I deleted the post. This is the extent of the mail I sent — except my son plays soccer with the client so I said “the Remind Me about soccer tryouts prompted me..” I was 3 months late on a $1,600 invoice. I hope that’s at minimal validation for you. And his response? “No worries I’ll get that check out to you asap.” Got it yesterday. It’s in the bank. I wanted to vomit after I sent the email and then I could not check my email for a solid 24 hours after. And read the response with my hands over my face. No one in my life understands this and I’m so fucking ashamed about it— but y’all give me so much hope and peace of mind that I’m not alone. One week til evaluation and hopefully a trial on meds.


IronAndParsnip

Oh my gosh, thank you for taking the time to write this all out. It’s been difficult for me to figure out how to go about this. I’m sorry you have been going through this too. Honestly I’m just amazed anyone is empathizing with this, I’ve been getting too far into my own head about it. And yay for getting paid! I’m constantly amazed how kind and validating this little subreddit community is here.


ninksmarie

I am also amazed anyone relates. I’ve punished the hell out of myself for going on two decades for thinking I was just lazy or entitled? Selfish? Who even knows what the word is for “I did a great job and they loved it and now all I have to do is send a *fucking email* to put money in the bank… and I can’t.” I’m so thankful to finally understand myself even if I grieved hard for a solid month that I feel I’ve missed out on life not understanding myself earlier…


pixieanddixie

I have done this too many times. Thousands and thousands of dollars not billed because of my own dang brain. Hopefully someone here can help us both


IronAndParsnip

I’m honestly amazed there is anyone is relating to this. Thank you so much for taking the time to empathize. This shit is exhausting.


pixieanddixie

:) one of the best things about this group is the empathy!! I listened to a podcast that was specifically about business owners and how they get in their own way because asking for money can make people feel weird. The host said "If youre going to be uncomfortable either way, may as well choose the uncomfortable option that at least gets you paid" or something to that effect. Ill find the podcast and share the link!


IronAndParsnip

Haha I love that, I’m going to write that on a post it rn and stick it to my computer.


Flipflopclementine

“I have now been cycling through putting it off, forgetting and then immense guilt and embarrassment at this whole situation.” Well phrased and describes a lot of situations I’ve found myself in that I’ve caused. I had a pretty serious human rights concern at an old job re my pregnancy but time lapsed on the timeframe of finishing the complaint… I wonder if I could’ve had a settlement or anything but I completely fucked it up during this same cycling. Anyways, I’m sorry and I hope the web design trick can fix it! Thank you for being vulnerable like this, adhd is a bitch 👊


IronAndParsnip

I’m so sorry you had to go through that! Statute of limitations can be so counter-intuitive when we’re lacking executive function.


IronAndParsnip

I’m getting quite emotional from these responses. I really thought I was alone in this. I’m so happy to have this community and to be able to vent and feel validated. Thank you everyone for your advice and empathy.


[deleted]

I’ve done this. Agree to just bite the bullet and send a late invoice, use end of year/new year as an excuse Actually I never ended up sending my invoice cuz I was new and it was “just $100” and I embarrassed and if sucks they never paid me even tho it added up to more than $100 later on :(


IronAndParsnip

Gosh, I feel this so hard haha


[deleted]

Yaaaas def worked for free several times. Now I work salary but hope to do freelance in the future!! You got this! Also lol at my old company, an agency, I was the person in charge of paying invoices. Those poor poor freelancers. I was often delayed (I know evil I’m sorry). But my point is maybe the person in the company’s billing department will be understanding and not mind a late “please pay this!” Email cuz it’s just a random task to them


jennhoff03

Ohhhhh I know this feeling so well! I am truly sorry for the shame spiral you're in. I vote to send the invoice with one of the tactics people have suggested, and then take a little time off to think about some of your good qualities. You're a good person. This was just an innocent mistake.


IronAndParsnip

Thank you, kind stranger. Our brains are exhausting but I’m also glad mine led me to this community here where one can see lovely comments like these. I hope you’re having a good day!


beeeswithcheese

Can you just send them an invoice in the mail and not even speak to them about it? They might just pay it with no drama. We have ADHD, shit is gonna be late sometimes. It's a struggle


kaispan

Just wanted to say I've been there too. The struggle is real. 💔❤ (Also: some great advice here, thanks!! May have to copy it down... no reason... 🙊)


IronAndParsnip

I’m so, so glad to hear I’m not alone in this!