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Say it with me: I REFUSE TO BE HELD BACK!
Last year, I was diagnosed with ADHD: AKA, my brain works differently.
Some people might look at an ADHD diagnosis as a negative thing, but over the last year it has been so affirming and empowering for me. I refuse to be held back by it–thought that’s *not* to say it hasn’t come with its fair share of challenges.
This episode of the Goal Digger Podcast is a candid update of what I’ve learned so far, and how my diagnosis has changed my life AND business. Let’s dive in!
A Little About ADHD
To catch you up to speed, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that affects millions of people around the world. It is often characterized by difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
For many people, the symptoms of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes. This is especially true for women, whose hormones can fluctuate more drastically than men’s. (Hellllooo!)
ADHD is a complex disorder and it is important to understand how hormones can affect it. Listen to this episode to hear my thoughts last year when I was first diagnosed with ADHD!
Lesson 1: Organize to Reduce Overwhelm
One way I’ve learned how to reduce the overwhelm caused by ADHD is to organize. For example, having a clear plan of action (such as breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks) and creating a schedule that works for me is crucial to my day-to-day mental health.
In addition, having a designated time for work and for taking care of myself and my kids has massively helped to reduce my overwhelm. My husband Drew has been pivotal in this as we have organized our schedules, our home, and our routines to provide structure for my days.
It’s so difficult for me to organize on my own, but Drew’s uber-organized Enneagram 1 brain can do it in a flash!
Lesson 2: Allow Extra Time for Tasks
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the last year is to allow extra time for tasks. As someone with ADHD, I know firsthand the struggle of executive functioning tasks, such as organizing and remembering to do things. It can be incredibly overwhelming and it can be hard to stay on top of things. This is why it is important to allow extra time for tasks.
For me, this means setting aside extra time in my day to plan and organize. I also make sure to leave myself notes and sticky reminders so that I don’t forget anything. I also make sure to give myself grace and to not be too hard on myself if I do forget something.
I also make sure to ask for help when I need it. I recently started asking Drew to help me with things, such as packing for a trip. This has been incredibly helpful in reducing my overwhelm and in making sure that I don’t forget anything.
Another important lesson for me (and others with ADHD) is to understand time blindness. Time blindness is a tendency where you can get so into something that you lose track of time. This can lead to running late for appointments and feeling overwhelmed and stressed. To combat this, I make sure to schedule my appointments 10 minutes earlier than they actually are. This ensures that I am showing up early, rather than running late.
What’s Your Experience?
If you enjoyed this episode of the Goal Digger Podcast, I’d love to hear from you on Instagram! Comment on one of my recent posts and share how ADHD has affected your life and any takeaways you’ve gotten from this episode. I can’t wait to connect!
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