This month marks one year following my ADHD diagnosis. I was very likely born with it and lived decades undiagnosed with ADHD.

If you know me, I'm addicted to learning, growth, and being the best version of myself.

Below are my learnings from my first 12 months of being diagnosed with ADHD.

1. Acceptance

2. Pain Threshold

3. Exercise

4. Mindfulness

5. Play to your strengths

Acceptance

This was the toughest thing for me. Having an ADHD brain and operating on neurotypical standards, for me is like swimming against a strong tide.

I still can't swim to start off with let alone swim against a tide! It made sense why I kept getting flushed away with setbacks over the years. I wasn't playing to my strengths.

So I accepted, my operating system is different, similar to:

• Apple iOS

• Windows

I accepted that I had to do things differently, take a copy and paste short cut for instance:

• On a Windows PC, it’s CTRL + C

• On a Mac, it's, cmd + C

It doesn't make me less than, just “different” hence my motto "stay different" It's me embracing who I am

I am who I am and move different as per my qualities and strengths.

Pain Threshold

I've had A LOT of setbacks due to

• My ADHD

• A tough upbringing

• More failures than successes

It's done a number on my mental health over the years. I'm doing okay now (I hope) thanks to therapy and family.

But guess what?

On the contrary, it's one of the best things that happened to me

Why?…

I can stay focused on my goals for longer, despite the obstacles that come my way.

They say diamonds are made from pressure, I can't live a day without:

• Pressure

• Challenges

The dopamine is sweeter for me upon accomplishing a goal.

I've been so used to failure that I somewhat became immune to the pain that comes with it and can keep going.

As long as this is maintained in a healthy manner of course.

I understand that everyone is "built differently", but for me, this helps me get the best out of myself.

So when setting tasks, I have to spin them in a way that makes it challenging, to get me started overwise… It’s a long day

Exercise

If there's one thing you take from today’s piece, I hope it's this one!

I've been more intentional with exercise than ever before! Be it:

• Walking

• Gym

• Riding my bike

• Soccer

This adds novelty to my workouts which is fun!

Rather than sitting with a problem in my head, I just burn a few hundred calories, which helps me feel better.

Us ADHDers are known for out-of-the-box thinking, my best thinking comes in the form of exercising.

• My Tweets

• Concepts for the newsletter

• Work solutions

I try and make working out less of a chore and a daily habit so I have fun with it

Mindfulness

In addition to the above, my mind is probably my most powerful asset.

I've also been super intentional with doing mindfulness activities such as:

• Deep breaths

• Meditation

• Therapy

Deep breaths and meditation cost you nothing, it’s free! I tend to do this:

• Before I sleep

• Early morning

• Lunchtime

I'll be honest, I thought this was bullsh*t when I first started, it was a struggle staying engaged.

Then I found myself reacting super chilled on a disagreement I had with a colleague. I appeared to be gaslighted, which is annoying for an ADHDer.

I truly believe my calm response was due to the mindfulness that I had been doing, I remember just taking deep breaths when I saw the email that would’ve triggered me in the past.

It helps with emotional regulation!

Play to your Strengths

I'm a visual learner. When understanding complex things, I need to visualize them otherwise, it may feel as if you’re talking to a brickwalk.

For some, their strength is hearing. I been told I have ‘selective hearing’, and so I rely heavily on my eyes be it:

• Pictures

• Brainstorm

• Whiteboard/Blackboard

• Notebooks/Bullet journaling

These help me play to my strength, which is what I haven’t done in years!

Since I've adjusted to my learning style, I work with ease compared to how I used to. It feels like the weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

These are my learnings over the past 12 months. It's helped me work and play smarter. I'm sure I'll learn more on this journey.

That's it for today, next week we'll talk about Rejection Sensitive Rejection

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Lastly,

Next week we'll talk about Rejection Sensitive Rejection

Stay Different,

The AuDHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.