In this engaging discussion, therapist KC Davis shares her journey through motherhood and mental health during the upheaval of the pandemic. After her ADHD diagnosis brought clarity to her struggles, she reveals insightful strategies for managing daily tasks. KC explores the complexities of adult ADHD, especially in women, and emphasizes the importance of redefining societal expectations around care tasks. She also introduces a gamification approach to boost motivation, helping listeners tackle even the most tedious chores with creativity and joy.
KC Davis emphasizes the importance of personalized systems to manage daily tasks, especially for those with ADHD and neurodivergent needs.
Her journey reveals how traditional organizational strategies can perpetuate shame, advocating instead for morally neutral approaches to domestic responsibilities.
Deep dives
Navigating Life Transitions
Casey Davis recounts the challenges she faced during a significant life transition, including the arrival of her second child, a demanding move to a new city, and her husband’s new job. Initially confident in her planning and support systems, the sudden onset of COVID-19 left her isolated at home with two young children, disrupting her carefully arranged support network. This drastic change led to overwhelming feelings and a chaotic household, with tasks like laundry and cleaning becoming insurmountable. Amidst this upheaval, she found solace and connection through humor by sharing relatable content on TikTok, culminating in a burgeoning following and new insights into her own experiences.
Reframing Domestic Tasks
Casey highlights her journey of understanding how traditional methods of managing household chores often fail to account for the varying needs of individuals, particularly those with neurodivergence. She emphasizes that many popular organizational strategies cater predominantly to neurotypical people, instilling feelings of shame in those who struggle with them. The emergence of her unique approach, which she later elaborates in her book, offers listeners practical advice for navigating daily tasks without judgment. By reframing domestic responsibilities as morally neutral, Casey encourages individuals to design systems that align with their personal needs and realities.
Understanding ADHD and Its Impact
Casey’s revelation about her ADHD diagnosis plays a pivotal role in her narrative, shedding light on her previous misconceptions about her capabilities. She discusses how ADHD manifests differently in adults, particularly women, and reflects on the numerous indicators of her symptoms that were overlooked during her youth. The conversation emphasizes the challenges of recognizing ADHD in individuals who excel academically, as they often experience hidden struggles with organization and task initiation. By sharing her diagnostic journey, Casey aims to create awareness and validation for those who may have similarly undiagnosed experiences.
Creating Functional Systems
Throughout the episode, Casey illustrates the importance of establishing personalized systems to enhance productivity and organization in daily life. She encourages listeners to identify their unique flows and employs techniques to make mundane tasks more engaging, such as gamifying chores. This approach not only accommodates her ADHD but also serves as a valuable strategy for others facing similar challenges, regardless of diagnosis. By prioritizing systems that reflect individual needs, Casey provides a pathway to greater ease and less shame in managing everyday responsibilities, reinforcing the idea that everyone deserves to function comfortably in their space.
Right as therapist KC Davis gave birth to her second baby, Covid-19 began shutting down normal life. Not only that, but KC had just moved to a new city, her husband began a demanding new job, and pandemic restrictions caused their carefully planned support system to crumble. All of a sudden it was just her - and her two babies - home alone. Everyday.
In the chaos that ensued, KC began an unexpected new journey. From grappling with mental health barriers to becoming TikTok famous and writing a best-selling book - KC has ventured out on a quest. Her goal? To connect the dots between mental health and the daily care tasks we tend to take for granted.
So on today’s episode, we’ll talk with KC about the last few years - focusing specifically on the ADHD diagnosis that answered so many questions about her past. Along the way, we will learn her signature workarounds for completing tasks that feel impossible.