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Peace! I'm loving this space already!
Hi everyone, I’m Kendra!
I’m so excited to join this community and connect with others who understand the ADHD experience. I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and it has shaped both my personal and professional journey. One of my current challenges is preparing for my licensure exam as a social worker. I know the process well, but staying focused, organized, and consistent can be tough when ADHD throws in distractions, self-doubt, and the occasional hyperfocus on everything except the goal at hand.
Being a single mom adds another layer, as I’m often spread thin between parenting, working, and trying to make progress toward my own goals. Some days I feel like I’m juggling a dozen acorns and hoping none roll away!
I’m looking forward to learning strategies from this group, sharing my own experiences, and reminding each other that it’s okay to move forward one small step at a time.
If anyone else has faced delays in big career milestones because of ADHD,
Hi Kendra! Welcome from one single mama to another! I so feel you on exam prep not being the easiest or strongest for me. I also didn't even know I had ADHD as I went through and I SO wish now I did, so I could at least try to work with my brain vs judging myself for it.
My son also has it too and he actually called me out the other day for something my self wasn't saying the most kind to myself. He then shared that he sometimes calls himself stupid, but knows it isn't nice and he doesn't feel good when it happens. I asked him what other thought may bring about a better feeling and he shared "I like my brain the way it is."
All of that to say, it reminded me of a framework from The Life Coach School, self coaching method, that really did help me unlock some patterns and build in a pause... so I was more easily able to find new thoughts and navigate circumstances under the influence of more effective feelings. So wanted to share that part.
In terms of when I find myself struggling to focus, I try to help myself get to a place where I'm realizing another need may need to be met first. So I ask what can I do to fill my cup a bit/ meet another need for 30 mins. Majority of the time, that helps me come back and focus more. Otherwise I stay and use more time to get less done - so it helps me show myself I'm important enough to handle my human needs AND get work done. Plus it adds efficiency which always feels nice lol
I hope that helps a little in terms of normalizing. You are awesome and strong... I mean I know I haven't met you but a single mama who goes back out to get licensed to help others... freaking awesome! That's just science :)