Top tips and a Helpful reminder - my ADHD is my superstrength!

It's hard to remember that ADHD is a superstrength when it constantly conflicting with the other side of my Neurospicy self. The positive thing is that at least there are a lot of posts in the pipeline for all you fine readers!

The superstrength of today's focus is my ability to start 101 things and I do eventually finish them...but not in the timeline that I set out to! I can either get highly frustrated with myself or take a moment and reflect on the progress I've made towards that task. I take the latter as we ought to be kind to ourselves and I practice what I preach.

It's still hard to sometimes get out of that mindset of being an utter failure when I haven't seen a task to fruition yet. I don't actually enjoy working under stress but find that sometimes I need that tight deadline to be able to really hyperfocus into a task and get it done. But the burnout that comes with it isn't so great...

So what do I do. I use my CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) principles; I use my ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) principles; I use my CFT (compassion focussed therapy) principles. I do what I can when I can because some progress is better than no progress.

Tip 1:

Break tasks down so they feel more manageable. Putting off the task just builds the guilty feeling that it is not getting done so break it down into the different components needed to get it done and chip away at it.

I accept that my ADHD super strength wants me to do many tasks at once and so I embrace this. The task will eventually be completed if I just chip away at it. I actually get a lot done because of this!

Tip 2:

It's helpful to practice letting go of the guilt you generate from yourself. I've wasted so much time feeling guilty about doing or not doing things that may make me feel good. For example this blog. I set a goal to do three a week, then one a week. I don't always do that but I'm building something here and that takes time to readjust my routines to make it work.

I am in control of my emotions and I will not allow self-critical thoughts to put me off succeeding in completing tasks, no matter how many I have started. In the words of Elsa - Let it go!

Tip 3:

I love a good reward for a job well done as we work so hard all the time at the things we must or should do. I'm trying to make a lot more time for the things I want to do (such as complete Hogwarts Legacy to 100%!!). I miss getting stickers and rewards for doing a good job in the things so feedback is key and I try to give people feedback often on their successes but also feedback to myself of these things. As well as treats! This month I got some new Jibbitz for my Crocs (obsessed!) and I am likely to complete another mission on my game too.

It's ok to do many things at once because some of those things are fun and you get enjoyment from them which is a definite mood booster! As long as you're getting a balance and not missing deadlines you're doing OK!

ADHD can sometimes feel like a deficit, I mean come on, deficit is literally the first 'D'! I wonder if that is what automatically makes those with such diagnosis feel as though they are already at a "deficit". The second 'D' further exacerbates that with the term "disorder". No wonder so many of us beautiful Neurospicy individuals feel as though there is something wrong with us. I wonder if a time will ever come where the name is thought about. Seen in a way that highlights the many strengths we have. A name that indicates an ability to live in a Neurotypical world and somehow survive each day and function within such societies.

My ADHD super strength has allowed me to successfully build Aja Therapies which continual grows each month. My ADHD super strength keeps ideas fresh in my mind and knowledge always within my grasp. My ADHD super strength helps me to relate to people in ways others could not understand.

I'm signing off as I'm losing track of times (time blindness it is called...maybe a theme for another post!). But don't forget to see your neurodiversity as a super strength, not a deficit or disorder!