Couldn't be More Sick of this!

[Purple-Daze]

My entire work-life has been affected by ADHD in terms of motivation to accomplish what I needed to accomplish. Most of that work-life pre-dated my late-in-life diagnosis.

Now I am retired and published my own product (oracle cards.) I have to figure out online marketing to actually sell them. They sold surprisingly well without any marketing, and now I'm determined to actually make some money...

I just cannot sit and do it! I make so many false starts and wind up having to "reinvent the wheel" every time because I let things go so long. While letting go of the primary thing I need to do, I involve myself with a gazillion things I don't need to do - most of which include their own commitments that I won't keep! I. am. driving. myself. CRAZY!!

This has taken such a toll on my self-esteem.

I cannot take stimulant drugs - although they worked well for me years ago.

Any thoughts on OTC meds, nutritional supplements, and/or tips and tricks that might help?

[wtfadhd]

i hear ya! and i can relate. the only tip i have is what u already know- avoid sugar n processed food, sleep well, drink water, exercise, limit social media for purpose of connection, bc it is just “ fake” connection, and surround yourself with cool people who elevate u, love u, n push you to be the best you❤️

[Purple-Daze in reply to wtfadhd]

Thanks WTF!

[SOHoffman76]

Hi, Purple-Daze

First, affirmation: I SEE YOU! I also have a late-in-life diagnosis, at age 47. Female, full-time employee, job-hopper extraordinaire. High-functioning. If I can extrapolate that to you - creating a new product, being an entrepreneur, isn't an easy thing. So take that win...and all the wins that got you here.

But what I hear you asking, really, is three-fold:

1. How do I stay productive - not just busy?

2. How do I stay motivated?

3. How do I not have to start from the beginning EVERY SINGLE TIME I get motivated again?

I work with an ADHD coach. These are the things she repeats to me every time we meet. Initially it was irritating, but now it's making sense:

We are working to decrease overwhelm and burnout.

We do that by creating routines.

We do that so we have to make fewer decisions and do less task-switching.

These are the techniques that I use:

1. Create and follow a morning routine

2. Create and follow an evening routine

3. Chunk out my time in between by category/buckets (at work, I use Admin Work/Creative Time/Project Work - but that's up to you)

These mini-courses from Haley Honeyman have been helpful, too: (reasonably priced - she's young and real and adorable) - hayley.busybeewithadhd.org/

[Hidden]

I hear you! I've struggled all my life to achieve and I'm finding myself back at the drawing board once again. Thank you for sharing your frustrations, as it makes me feel less alone!

Try to bring as much support and structure into your life as you can. For example, you could begin working with a coach who specializes in ADHD. I found one through listening to the plethora of ADHD podcasts out there, many of which focus on women.

I'm currently working on keeping a regular schedule, and using my coach as someone to keep me accountable, so I can set and meet realistic deadlines! 😀

Most therapists I've encountered don't really know much about ADHD, but more and more are getting training in CBT therapy, which I've found helpful in unpacking some of the thought patterns that keep me stuck. Definitely worth a try. There's also guided meditation, which I've found to be extremely helpful. I can't meditate on my own to save my life, but I find that being guided along by someone else's voice really helps. Tara Brach has a mindfullness practice that you can access online, for free:

tarabrach.com/meditation-pr...

This particular practice, using the acronym RAIN, is something I turn to regularly when I'm feeling the sadness, anger and frustration that comes up so frequently for folks like us. Hope this helps!