The last thing you should do is try harder when you feel overwhelmed, but many of us have been programmed to think this way.
Here’s why trying to get more done when you are overwhelmed or worn down is often a problem that triggers a cascade of issues for adhd brains:
It Exacerbates Executive Function Challenges: Trying to do more when overwhelmed can overload ADHD brains, making planning and prioritizing even harder. 😵💫📚
It Increases Cognitive Overload: Adding tasks increases cognitive overload, scatters focus and reduces the ability to work efficiently. 🧠💥
It Triggers Negative Emotional Responses: Pushing for productivity during overwhelm can heighten stress and emotional dysregulation, undermining well-being. 😟💔
Instead, Do These Things
Rest: When instinct tells you to power through, choose rest instead. Your productivity benefits more from recharging than relentless effort.
Be Kind to Yourself💖: Fight the impulse to criticize yourself. Practice kindness; it's the foundation of genuine growth and resilience.
Ask for Help 🤝: Despite the urge to conceal struggles, asking for help showcases strength, not weakness. It's a step towards understanding and solutions.
Questions for reflection.
Instead of trying to do more, ask yourself:
What can I take off my plate?
Who can I ask to help me?
Is there anything I don’t need to be doing?
Thanks for taking the time to read my newsletter. I hope these ideas can help you in your journey to reclaim your worth.
If you like the newsletter, consider joining the new free community I’ve created for all Adhd women to chat and connect.
Or join the waitlist for my support and education group, which includes videos, workbooks, and a community. It is a neurodivergent affirming created for women who want to learn about supporting themselves in community. Scholarships and sliding fee options are available.
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I suffer all 3 issues as a state casework. One would assume a Mon/Tue schedule surely is a breeze. Full timers have a next day, my tasks & documentation must be complete/clear on Tue for coworkers to follow up with deadlines on my off days. Hyper focus 8-9 hrs, unaware of my needs, anxious, shallow breath and absorbed in managing rhythm. Midday Tue I feel brain crashing to confused & frozen. Yet pressure increases as ALL tasks become deadlines, clients calls, boss requests status reports, and time logs finalized. I HAVE to push harder. On Wed my body demands I do nothing but recover as best possible, never fully possible. Even with ADHD work accommodations, these issues persist bc I fear failure and further advocacy. Age 61 diagnosed at 59