At last I feel like I can catch my breath, and consider this question, this blog is reflection on my last few months and how I have been managing my ADHD.
One thing I have had to accept as a Late Diagnosed ADHD’er that my ADHD is with me all the time, the ‘managing’ part is ever changing, as environment and what is happening in my life is also ever changing.
This year has been particularly challenging for me in this respect, it has been a wonderful year in parts, but it has been so tough navigating my way through it, whilst still being there for myself, my clients, my daughter and family and friends.
As an ADHD Coach with ADHD, a daughter, friends, and family members with ADHD sometimes it is hard to know where I am with my own ADHD. I help others, I always have and always will and for me this is effortless, what is harder is the helping ‘me’ part but something that I know I MUST work really hard so I am able to show up for everyone else as I would like to.
Managing my ADHD is so often having self-compassion, for me as an ADHD’er, a business owner, a single mum.
My year so far has been filled with a lot of ADHD challenges due to the emotions of GCSE’s, seeing my daughter going through revision stress, expectation of results, going on holiday’s, losing momentum, extended school holidays etc…
I knew with all these extra challenges, something had to give and I couldn’t afford for that to be me!
So how did I manage.
• I started saying ‘no’ and setting boundaries with myself and others.
• I was honest with myself, I knew it was going to be a challenging time, so my eyes were open to this.
• I stayed away from social media, I knew I wouldn’t be able to cope with the noise.
• I disengaged from groups and WhatsApp groups.
• I didn’t ‘start’ anything new
Doing all the above with self-compassion and not shame has been the biggest difference in how I would have felt in the past. Without self-compassion I would have felt a ‘failure’, a flaky friend, I would catastrophise that everything was going to s**t. Now don’t get me wrong at times I did feel like that, but I tried to give myself the grace to step back for a while. Now I am out of the other side of it, it really has worked, I feel I now have the time and space for all that is to come………..
Action Steps for Managing ADHD:
1. Set Boundaries Early and Often
Learning to say “no” is a powerful tool in managing ADHD. Protect your energy by setting clear boundaries with yourself and others. Whether it's limiting social commitments or creating non-negotiable downtime, boundaries are key.
2. Practice Radical Self-Compassion
Managing ADHD starts with accepting that you're doing the best you can, given the challenges. Avoid self-judgment and extend compassion to yourself, especially when things don’t go perfectly. You're human, and that's okay!
3. Simplify Where You Can
ADHD can make everything feel overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to cut back. Limit exposure to social media, minimise group chats, and resist the urge to start new projects when you're already juggling a lot.
4. Be Honest with Yourself
Recognise when you're going through a tough time. Self-awareness can help you plan for challenges ahead, so you don’t feel blindsided. Preparing yourself mentally for difficult periods is key to managing expectations.
5. Take Breaks Without Guilt
Step back when needed. Taking a break is not a failure, it’s an act of self-preservation. Whether it’s disengaging from groups or postponing projects, know that giving yourself grace is essential for long-term well-being.
Managing ADHD is a continuous journey that requires compassion, boundaries, and self-awareness. If you're navigating your own ADHD challenges, you're not alone!
Let’s talk about it:
What’s one boundary you’ve set recently that’s helped you manage your ADHD? Drop it in the comments or reach out if you’re looking for more personalised support.
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