ADHD, a creative superpower
and some life hacks to help for when things are overwhelming
I have come to realise over the past year that I probably have ADHD. I don't have a formal diagnosis (there is a long waiting list), but the things I have read about it help me to understand my struggles and where I could make life a little easier for myself.
I wanted to share these insights with my Miners readers as I know neurodiversity is common in the creative sphere, and I know that when we accept ourselves as we are, we allow ourselves to shine. So keep reading for some ADHD life hacks.
The thing that triggered me into researching ADHD a little deeper was some posts on my Instagram about the fact that many female entrepreneurs have ADHD. I hadn't even considered it before this as I am not fidgety, don't miss appointments, and didn't struggle at school. However, I have always had a nagging feeling that I was different from everyone else.
As I have got older, I have become increasingly aware of the ideas shooting off at different tangents, like fireworks in my head. There were other things, like lying in bed with my brain talking so loudly that I couldn't sleep. I would settle to a task and get a hundred thoughts racing through my brain so I couldn't concentrate. I have experienced RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) a few times too and it is cripplingly painful. I also recently read that my personality type (INFJ) is neurodiverse, which blew my mind.
But as I've been discovering this, I have been listening to ADHD cheerleaders who present it in a positive light, which means that I really don't see ADHD as something that holds me back. I know it is a superpower. Different is not bad. Different is just different.
In his wonderfully empowering book, Now it all Makes Sense, Alex Partridge talks about the superpowers of his ADHD. It is such an illuminating read. He encourages readers to accept themselves and their wonderful brains and work with them, not against them.
ADHD bonuses
People with ADHD are amazing – they are resilient, creative, problem solvers, they can hyperfocus, and are calm in a crisis. They are empathetic, intuitive, and can see patterns where others see chaos – this is why I love writing creative essays, delving into my treasury of quotes to link ideas together. They think outside the box, are risk takers, and are courageous, entrepreneurial, and spontaneous. Wow!
I know that my ADHD is why I am so creative.
It is why I started Little Bird Editions, my Etsy shop.
It is also why I can write novels. I can hyperfocus on one thing and get so totally obsessed and immersed in my created world that normal life feels like a nuisance.
ADHD negatives
RSD – I struggle hugely with this. Investing in friendships is hard work for me, and I don't understand why people want to abandon them when the hard work has been done and the connection has been made. Rejection can feel intensely painful as an ADHDer.
Overwhelm – A side product of the loads of ideas constantly pouring into our brains. I often have so many ideas that I don't have time to carry out. I often visualise new products that I don't have time to make. I sit and think about making a better profile on Faire, turning all my prints into digital products so I can have a passive income stream, learning how to grow my mailing lists to widen my fan base, write more series so I can attract new readers, learn how to do Amazon Ads. The problem with being an entrepreneur is that there is no end in sight. There is literally no end to the things you could do. So then I just feel completely overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin.
Loud internal monologue (which never stops!)
Feeling different from everyone else – I have had this since childhood – an unshakeable feeling that I was weird, that my family was weird, and that I had to try hard to be normal.
People Pleasers / Fear of rejection – I think this comes from the feeling that we're different. We feel like we must be wrong and everyone else must be right, so we do whatever it takes to keep those around us happy. This can lead to burnout and overwhelm.
Fear of confrontation – This stems from this unshakeable feeling of wrongness and also from people-pleasing.
Intuition – I can feel negative energy in the room. This adds to the feeling of overwhelm and exhaustion.
Success Amnesia – ADHDers can downplay achievements as they tend to focus on the negative and forget to celebrate the positive.
ADHD Hacks
In his book, Alex has listed the hacks that help him to live well as an entrepreneur with an ADHD brain, which I found really helpful.
Cleaning quietens the mind – if you are feeling stressed or anxious – clean!
Slow Down – if you are feeling totally overwhelmed, just slow down, and it will help you to regulate your nervous system.
Visual Reminders – Leave reminders of things you are likely to forget. I have a daily to-do list on my phone. Below that, I have a weekly to-do list. If there is something that I really must do today when I get out of work, I write it on my hand. Messy, I know, but it works for me!
Use your night-time brain - Alex explains that for him, his night-time brain is much more efficient than his morning brain. He exploits this by making a to-do list for the next day in the evening.
Write your thoughts down as soon as you have them – they can be nuggets of genius.
Hold a fidget toy when public speaking – it helps you to keep focused on what you are saying.
Take Risks – Alex says the way he became a millionaire was to keep taking risks until one of them worked - one day, one of them did (he is the founder of LADBible). Growing up, he had an entrepreneurial spirit that just kept coming up with new ideas. It may look scatty to others, but it is just trial and error in action.
Combat Success Amnesia by writing a letter of congratulations to yourself anytime you achieve a milestone. You could also keep a file of achievements to remind yourself of when you are feeling overwhelmed or like you can't do something.
Wait 24 hours to say yes or no to something - this can combat the need to people-please.
My Takeaways
After having read Alex's book, here are the ways I am going to use this knowledge to nurture myself as a creative:
Use my RSD to make poems.
I feel things very deeply. Some might say I am over the top, but this is just the way I respond to things. As a novelist and a poet, I can use this pain to craft poems and to feel the pain of my characters. I am thinking back to that Susain Cain quote that I love from her book Bittersweet; 'Whatever pain you can’t get rid of, make it your creative offering.'
To-do lists
Knowing that my brain is running on a constant treadmill and that it is easy for me to feel perpetually overwhelmed, I make a to-do list of three things to get done today. This way, I can feel a sense of accomplishment even on mundane days.
Celebrate your wins
Again, due to this treadmill of life that never stops, it can be tempting to never take a break in between tasks. I am trying to be a little more intentional. As it was the last week of term before Easter, I rewarded myself with a little treat on Friday. I am committing to be kind to myself.
And the best advice from Alex?
Stop trying to be normal!
He says; 'The moment I stopped trying to be normal is the moment I started to shine.'
I found Now it all Makes Sense a very encouraging and very practical book, full of tips and ideas to keep your ideas firing, so if you are curious about ADHD, it is definitely worth a read.
What are your thoughts? Do any of you creatives have ADHD? What are your life hacks? I'd love to hear them.
Thanks so much for reading Miners.
Elisabeth x
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