E206: Lots of Ideas and No Action: When You're Too Tired to Plan or Do the Plan and Need an ADHD Energy Recharge
Sep 7, 2023
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Explore the struggles of balancing motherhood and ADHD, setting priorities, managing energy levels, and embracing self-care. Learn how to optimize productivity, prioritize rest, and create personalized systems for a fulfilling family life.
Prioritizing rest and self-care is essential to break the cycle of burnout for moms with ADHD.
Distinguishing between necessary tasks and unnecessary burdens helps in managing daily responsibilities effectively.
Aligning activities with personal energy patterns can enhance productivity and well-being for moms with ADHD.
Deep dives
Understanding the Guilt and Overwhelm Cycle
Many moms experience guilt and overwhelm due to feeling the need to constantly accomplish tasks while struggling to find time to rest. This cycle of wanting to do everything but ending up either exhausted or unproductive can lead to burnout. The pressure to live up to societal expectations of organization and productivity can be overwhelming. Embracing one's unique way of functioning and learning to prioritize self-care are essential in breaking this damaging cycle.
Struggling with Decision-Making and Follow-Through
Challenges with decision-making, anxiety, and getting things done are common among moms. Planning can bring temporary relief, but translating plans into action often poses difficulties. Prioritizing rest and accepting limitations play a crucial role in managing these challenges. Learning to distinguish between essential tasks and unnecessary burdens helps in creating a more manageable and balanced approach to daily responsibilities.
Prioritizing Rest and Reevaluating Energy Expenditure
Scheduling and prioritizing rest are crucial in preventing burnout and maintaining energy levels. By allocating dedicated time for self-care activities, such as getting a facial, moms can ensure they recharge without feeling guilty. Setting boundaries and deciding on what truly matters help in reducing decision fatigue and mental load, leading to a more structured and fulfilling routine.
Harnessing Neuroplasticity and Learning Self-Compassion
Developing self-directed neuroplasticity involves understanding stress responses and reframing negative self-talk into positive affirmations. Recognizing that productivity does not equate to self-worth is key in fostering self-compassion and reducing anxiety. By rewiring unhelpful thinking patterns, individuals can increase their capacity and confidence in managing challenges, ultimately leading to a more empowering mindset.
Syncing Daily Rhythms and Understanding Personal Energy Patterns
Aligning activities with natural energy fluctuations and personal cycles can enhance productivity and well-being. By recognizing individual energy patterns and scheduling tasks accordingly, moms can optimize their performance and energy levels. Understanding how personal energy impacts decision-making and overall efficiency allows for a more balanced and sustainable approach to daily responsibilities.
Joining Successful Mama Meetups and Workshops for Practical Guidance
Participating in support groups like Successful Mama Meetups and attending workshops on energy regulation provides practical strategies and community connections for moms. Through group discussions and personalized coaching, moms can explore ways to enhance their energy management skills and self-care routines. These resources offer valuable insights into navigating motherhood with ADHD and prioritizing well-being alongside daily responsibilities.
You want to do that cool volcano science project with your 4 year old…
You want to snuggle on the couch with your partner and watch a movie…
But you also need sleep.
You feel like the worst friend, daughter, mom, partner, when you promise to do something and then cancel plans at the last minute because you don’t have the energy to do it when the time comes around.
You’re feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, and at capacity on top of the guilt. Ugh.
Having ADHD can feel really unpredictable when you never know what you’ll have the energy to do.
How can we set up a system that works for you and prioritizes what matters most to you?
When we’re not leaning into the kind of plans that make sense for our brains and energy patterns, it all feels way harder than it needs to be.
So how can we make this feel easier? Let’s discuss!
Want to set up your day in a way that feels exciting instead of exhausting? Join the ADHD Energy Recharge Workshop on September 21st at noon eastern (yes, there’s a replay.)
No matter if you’re an early bird or a night owl, I’m sharing how I work with my daily energy cycles with a splash of cycle syncing, to cater to my fluctuating energy levels and lessen the effects of PMDD.