Hey there,
Struggle with daily tasks and getting motivated? You're not alone! 🤦♀️ In a neurotypical world, women with ADHD face unique challenges.
Why It's Tough 🥊
Your neurodivergent brain operates differently than what the world expects. But neurodivergent children aren’t offered the support they need. Instead, when they don’t “succeed,” the adults around them bully and shame them. This is so wrong. Children then internalize this abusive way to motivate themselves.
Do you often resort to self-criticism as a motivator?
This pattern often results in feelings of shame and can cause a sense of paralysis.
Modifying this approach can significantly improve your ability to initiate, persist, and accomplish tasks.
You need to learn ways to help yourself! Self-compassion is one way.
Self-compassion improves motivation.
Power of Self-Compassion in Fueling Motivation
💖When you practice self-compassion, you're more likely to approach tasks without criticism and shame and treat yourself kindly, even when things get tough.
It can also help you recognize when you might need an accommodation or when the task isn’t right for you. So rather than blame yourself, you can understand how it doesn’t work for your brain and pick a better way to do the task or a better task.
Three Simple Ways to Begin to Build Self Compassion 📝
💖Daily Emotional Check-In: Ask yourself, "How am I feeling?" twice daily. Adjust your surroundings to support your well-being.
💖Morning Mantra Meditation: Start your day by repeating these phrases to yourself:
"May I be less critical of myself today."
"May I be loving towards myself."
"May I see the good in me today."
"May I be as kind to myself as I am to my friends."
"May I be okay with making mistakes today." Use this mantra to set a positive and compassionate tone for your day.
💖Reflective Journaling: Spend a few lines each day writing about something you struggled with or were critical of yourself about. Then, consider how you would support a friend in the same situation. Use this empathetic perspective to treat yourself with kindness.
Self-compassion isn't a fix-all because sometimes challenges stem from external factors or mismatched tasks rather than a lack of self-kindness. But it remains a valuable asset in navigating those hurdles and healing adhd trauma.
Thanks for reading my newsletter. Have a good week.
Kristen McClure
If you like Flourish and you are an ADHD or AUDHD woman, consider joining the next support group. Our orientation session is in just a few weeks.
Join the list for my support and education group
📅 **Orientation Date**: June 9th, 12:30 PM
Spots are still open, and scholarships are available
Have more questions?
Email me with questions at kristenlynnmcclure@gmail.com
Thank you. This one hit home for me.