Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora
I had no idea a single Instagram post could strike such a deep chord.
When I shared a carousel called “10 ‘Normal’ Things I Didn’t Know Were ADHD,” I thought I was simply reflecting on my own lived experience.
Instead, the post lit up with thousands of comments like: “I thought I was just lazy,” “I’ve never felt so seen,” and “Are you living in my brain?”
Same, girl. Same.
This episode is the full backstory of that post and the wild, transformative journey that followed.
From discovering my ADHD at 35 to understanding how it shaped every part of my life, my business, motherhood, relationships, and even how I function on an average Tuesday, this is my real, raw, and hopeful story.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it just me?”… maybe it’s not. Let’s walk through it together, shall we?
The Instagram Post That Sparked a Movement
In case you missed it, the carousel post I created listed everyday habits I assumed were quirks, like sitting in my garage after getting home because transitions felt overwhelming, eating the same meal obsessively for weeks then suddenly never wanting it again, repeating a song on loop for days for the calming predictability, and having a chair that becomes a mountain of clean clothes I can’t put away.
I didn’t post it as a diagnosis. I posted it as a mirror. And for so many women, it reflected something they’d never been able to name.
The Moment Everything Shifted
So, how did I get here?
For me, it all started when I interviewed ADHD expert Tracy Otsuka back in 2021. Post-interview, she asked me a question that caught me off guard: “So, when were you diagnosed?”
It was like I heard a real life *record scratch* because at that time, I hadn’t been.
She gently suggested that many of the systems I had built in my life and business were adaptations for ADHD. That conversation sparked a deep, personal journey that led to my diagnosis at 35.
Turns out, ADHD has been a quiet presence my whole life… I just didn’t know how to see it.
So many of the things I chalked up to personal flaws were actually clues. And looking back, it was all there.
- I was a high achiever, but I had to fight for it.
- My brain never held onto information easily, so I filled notebooks, sticky notes, even my hands with reminders.
- I couldn’t sit still. I fidgeted constantly.
- I had a million ideas but no clue where to begin.
- I thought I was just “too sensitive” or bad at balance.
Where ADHD Helped Me Shine
Now here’s the plot twist: ADHD didn’t just make life harder. It helped me build the life I have now!
- My multi-passionate nature allowed me to build a brand that spans photography, podcasting, courses, books, and beyond.
- I thrive in hyperfocus mode. Launch season? I’m in the zone.
- I take creative risks and trust my gut, often moving before there’s a blueprint.
This brain? It’s scrappy, solution-oriented, and wildly resourceful.
ADHD didn’t just challenge me. It also became a driving force behind the business I built, and I’m thankful for it every single day.
Where It Quietly Made Things Harder
Of course, there is a flip-side to my diagnosis, like:
- I struggle to finish what I start.
- I often underestimate timelines and overcommit myself (and my team).
- I resist structure, even though I crave it.
- The mental load of motherhood felt crushing, and urgency often trumps presence.
But knowing these things about myself has absolutely helped me shift my perspective and structure my life in a way that supports, not hinders, my perfectly imperfect brain.
Over the years, I’ve hired support, created systems not for show but for survival, and developed boundaries to help keep me focused and grounded.
What Has Actually Helped
People ask me often what has helped me not just survive but thrive with ADHD in motherhood, business, and everyday life.
Here’s what’s worked for me:
- I haven’t medicated. At first because I was breastfeeding. Now? It’s not off the table, but it’s not something I’ve pursued yet.
- I have tried microdosing, and I’ve found it helpful in a quiet way.
- What’s helped most? Movement: rowing, walking, and gardening, specifically. I’ve found that keeping my body busy helps my brain slow down.
- Therapy. Not just for support, but for exploration. It’s helped me understand my patterns, my self-talk, and how ADHD shaped my story.
- Implementing times throughout the day for Deep Work in which I turn Slack off, put my phone away, and (try) to keep only one tab open on my computer.
- Batching, time blocking, and the pomodoro technique… These aren’t just hacks, they’re lifelines.
- Color-coded calendars, visual checklists, and printed plans. My brain needs to see the work to engage with it.
The tools didn’t fix me. They helped me meet myself where I am.
Looking for more? Check out Episode 739: Productivity Hacks That ACTUALLY Work For Me and this blog post: Productivity Hacks for Business Owners with ADHD
ADHD or Burnout? Sometimes It’s Hard to Tell
Here’s something I’m learning: not everything is ADHD.
It might be a dysregulated nervous system, chronic burnout, trauma, or motherhood. The symptoms overlap.
That’s why getting curious—not judgmental—is the best place to start.
Getting diagnosed gave me language. But the bigger transformation has been compassion, understanding, and honoring who I am and how I work.
What I’d Tell the Old Me
If I could whisper something to my past self, it would be: “You’re not bad at easy things. You just haven’t been told how your brain works.”
Whether you’re neurodivergent or just feel overwhelmed by the world sometimes, this is your reminder: You’re not broken. You’re just wired differently. And there are ways to work with your brain, not against it.
Friend, you are allowed to meet your brain where it is, not where the world told you it should be.
If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs this lightbulb moment. I’m so glad we’re in this together!
Recommended Resources
If you want to keep exploring this topic, check out these previous episodes that cover ADHD:
- 461: A Deep-Dive into ADHD for Women Entrepreneurs
- 614: I Found Out I Have ADHD (Here’s What I’ve Learned So Far!)
- 670: A Candid Update On My ADHD Journey
- 675: THIS Is The Biggest Misconception About ADHD
- 739: Surprising Signs You Might Have ADHD
- 820: ADHD Tips, Balancing Motherhood, and Tactical Biz Advice: Ask Me Anything
Thank you to our Goal Digger Sponsors
- Sign up for your $1/month Shopify trial period here!
- Find your Airbnb co-host today.
- Move deals faster with an AI powered CRM your team will actually use: Monday.com.
- Transform your living space today with Cozey: the home of possibilities, made easy.
- Deposit or spend $5,000 in 90 days to earn up to $500 in rewards with Mercury. Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC. The IO Card is issued by Patriot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard. Working capital loans provided by Mercury Lending, LLC NMLS ID: 2606284.
