Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Episode 86: Ana Krajinović

Feb 21, 2025

37:54

Welcome to episode #86! We’re thrilled to be joined by Ana Krajinović today.

Ana Krajinović is a linguist, writer, and comic artist whose work explores the intersection of language, cognition, and visual storytelling. As an academic researcher at Tilburg University, she studies how comics use symbolic structures to convey meaning.

Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, Ana has navigated challenges with task paralysis, executive dysfunction, and emotional regulation—but she’s also learned to harness her neurodivergence as a strength. Through her comics and writing, she shares insights on productivity, motivation, and embracing creative chaos.

In this episode, we discuss ADHD, autism, creativity, productivity struggles, and how to work with your brain, not against it.

Welcome to the show, Ana!

Questions

JN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?

Started noticing ADHD traits about three years ago
Initially misdiagnosed with depression and social anxiety
Discovered ADHD through HowToADHD YouTube videos
Diagnosis process in Germany was smooth, but long-term care was challenging

JN: What challenges did you face growing up with undiagnosed ADHD?

Was an excellent student because school was a special interest
Social difficulties—never fully understood trends, popularity, or social norms
Struggled with spatial awareness—difficulty with sports, movement, and even using appliances
Noticed task paralysis in adulthood when responsibilities increased

JN: How did your ADHD impact your PhD journey?

Passion for linguistics kept her engaged, but executive function challenges made consistent work difficult
Struggled with bureaucracy and non-research tasks
Motivation fluctuated—hyperfocused on interesting topics but shut down on tedious tasks

JN: How did you manage emotional regulation and overwhelm?

Experienced meltdowns and shutdowns over small tasks
Learned to recognize disproportionate emotional reactions to certain demands
Found self-acceptance through embracing chaos instead of forcing structure

JC: What changed for you after receiving your ADHD diagnosis?

Biggest shift was self-acceptance—realizing her brain works differently but isn’t "less"
Stopped feeling guilty for needing more time on tasks
Medication helped initially, but her biggest breakthrough came from Chasteberry supplements
Found a balance between structure and flexibility to optimize creativity

JC: What are some productivity strategies that work for you?

Start with tasks you enjoy to build momentum
Trick yourself into hyperfocus by doing something exciting first
Use body doubling & external accountability to stay on track
Flexible scheduling—writes down tasks but doesn’t guilt-trip herself for postponing them

JC: What productivity advice does NOT work for you?

"Eat the frog" (doing the hardest task first)—kills motivation for the entire day
Strict time-blocking—leads to frustration when tasks take longer than expected
Forcing inspiration—instead, she reads comics or listens to creators to spark ideas

JN: How do you approach creativity and motivation?

Embraces chaos—lets ideas flow rather than forcing a rigid schedule
Uses deadlines as external motivators to push through creative blocks
Allows herself to switch between projects instead of forcing consistency

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

Slow start with breakfast & conversation—important for waking up mentally
Gradual movement (yoga, stretching, light work) before diving into deep tasks
Avoids immediate productivity pressure to prevent shutdowns

JN: How do you wind down at night?

Watches Netflix or does low-effort activities to relax
Uses earplugs and a sleep mask to eliminate sensory disruptions
Prioritizes a quiet, distraction-free sleep environment

JN: Where can people connect with you?

Website: annakrajinovic.com
Medium: https://medium.com/@anakrajinovic
Substack: https://anakrajinovic.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anacomics/

JC: Final words for the audience?

"Follow what excites you. If something doesn’t spark joy, explore a different path."
"Don’t judge your productivity by neurotypical standards—find what works for your brain."