ADHD connections: ADHD coach in training!

Introduction Rest is essential.  But if you have ADHD, you might struggle to allow yourself to rest without guilt.   You finally take a break, but instead of enjoying it, your brain starts whispering: ❌ "You should be doing something productive." ❌ "You’re wasting time!" ❌ "You’ll never get anything done if you keep stopping!" So instead of feeling rested, you feel restless.  You might even push yourself to keep working—until you hit burnout. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.  ADHD brains often struggle with work-rest balance , but learning how to rest without guilt is key to long-term productivity and well-being. Why ADHD Makes Rest Feel Uncomfortable 1. "I Have So Much to Do—How Can I Just Stop?" ADHD makes it hard to prioritise tasks and manage time.  This can create a constant feeling of being behind , making rest feel like something you "haven’t earned yet." 2. Hyperfocus and Overworking When ADHDers get into...

Introduction When you have ADHD, overwhelm is a frequent companion.   Maybe your to-do list is a mile long, your home feels cluttered, or you have multiple deadlines looming.  Instead of knowing where to start, you feel frozen—stuck in a cycle of avoidance and guilt. Sound familiar?  You’re not alone.  ADHD brains struggle with executive function , making it hard to prioritise, break things down, and start tasks.  The good news? There are ways to bypass that overwhelmed, paralysed feeling and take action—even when it feels impossible. Why Does ADHD Cause Overwhelm? 1. Task Paralysis ADHD brains struggle with initiation , meaning we might want to get things done but can’t seem to start.  The bigger or more unclear the task, the harder it is to begin. 2. Everything Feels Equally Important When faced with multiple tasks, our brains struggle to prioritise .  Should you reply to emails, clean the kitchen, or finish that work project?  Instead o...

Introduction If you’ve ever tried to follow mainstream productivity advice—things like "just use a planner," "set SMART goals," or "stick to a routine"—you may have wondered: Why does this work for everyone else, but not me? The truth is, that  most productivity strategies are designed for neurotypical brains. They assume that: ✔ You can easily start and stop tasks when you want. ✔ Deadlines and consequences are enough motivation. ✔ Structure and self-discipline come naturally. For people with ADHD, that’s not how our brains work.  We struggle with executive function, time management, and interest-based motivation , which means traditional methods often fall flat.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t be productive—it just means we need different strategies that work with our brains, not against them. Why Traditional Productivity Advice Fails for ADHD 1. "Just Make a To-Do List" The problem: To-do lists can become overwhelming, especially ...

Introduction Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be a life-changing moment.  For some, it’s a relief—finally, an explanation for years of struggles.  But for many, it also brings a wave of grief . You might find yourself thinking: ❌ "How different would my life be if I had known sooner?" ❌ "Why did no one notice?" ❌ "I’ve spent years struggling when I didn’t have to." It’s completely normal to grieve the time, opportunities, and self-esteem lost before your diagnosis.  But while the past can’t be changed, you can choose how you move forward—with self-compassion, understanding, and a new sense of possibility. Why Late Diagnosis Can Bring Grief 1. Feeling Like You "Missed Out" on an Easier Life You might wonder how things could have been different if you had been diagnosed earlier— in school, at work, in relationships.   Maybe you struggled with self-doubt, were labelled lazy, or had to work twice as hard as everyone else.  The...

Introduction If you have ADHD, you’ve probably heard this advice before: "Just be consistent!"   Whether it’s about building habits, sticking to routines, or maintaining a schedule, people act like consistency is the magic solution to all problems.  But if you have ADHD, consistency can feel like the hardest thing in the world. It’s not that you don’t want to be consistent.  You start with the best intentions—maybe you commit to a new exercise routine, a daily planner, or even something fun like a creative project.  But sooner or later, you hit a wall.  You forget, lose interest, or struggle to follow through.  Then the guilt kicks in, and it feels like you’re back to square one. Here’s the truth: the problem isn’t you—it’s the way your brain is wired.  ADHD affects executive function, motivation, and time perception, all of which make consistency a challenge.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t build habits and routines that work for you. ...