I Have ADHD Podcast

305 Boredom is the Price of Success—Are You Willing to Pay It?

Mar 4, 2025

Explore the uncomfortable yet necessary realm of boredom, revealing it as a cost for long-term success. Discover how to manage ADHD while navigating romantic relationships with neurotypical partners. Uncover the surprising cognitive benefits of just 30 minutes of exercise, enhancing focus and emotional regulation. Dive into the emotional hurdles of vulnerability and authenticity, encouraging solidarity in embracing your true self. This episode is packed with tough love and insights to enrich your journey!

53:24

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Quick takeaways

Boredom is a necessary discomfort that individuals with ADHD must confront to achieve success and progress in their lives.

Regular exercise has been shown to significantly enhance cognitive function in individuals with ADHD, making it a vital part of symptom management.

Deep dives

The Impact of Boredom on ADHD

Boredom is a significant emotional struggle for individuals with ADHD, often causing feelings of agitation and frustration. Neuroscientific research shows that boredom triggers emotional pain centers in the brain, creating an intense desire to escape that feeling. This can lead to impulsivity as individuals hop from task to task in an effort to avoid confronting boredom, ultimately causing many projects to remain unfinished. Understanding boredom as a universal experience for those with ADHD can help in reframing one's mindset to recognize that boredom is often the price one must pay to achieve their goals.

Intro

46min

Embracing Movement as a Gift for Self-Improvement

2min

Navigating the Challenge of Being Seen

5min

In this solo episode of the I Have ADHD podcast, we’re covering a little bit of everything—because, let’s be honest, ADHD brains thrive on variety!

First up: BOREDOM. Ugh. It’s uncomfortable, frustrating, and makes us want to do literally anything else. But here’s the hard truth—boredom is the price we pay to get what we want out of life. If we want success, fulfillment, and progress toward our goals, we have to learn to sit with the discomfort instead of running from it. I break down exactly how to do that without self-sabotaging.

Next up: romantic relationships. I answer a listener question about relationships and dive into how to navigate an ADHD + Neurotypical pairing.

Finally, let’s talk movement. We all know exercise is good for us, but did you know it can actually boost your brainpower? I break down a fascinating new study that shows just 30 minutes of exercise can significantly improve cognition for adults with ADHD. Yep, moving your body isn’t just great for managing emotions—it can actually help you think more clearly, focus better, and get stuff done. Tune in to find out why this works and how to make it a part of your routine (even if motivation is a struggle).

If you're ready for a mix of tough love, insight, and encouragement, hit play—this one’s for you!

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