Elizabeth Smith MBACP (Accred)’s Post

Having spoken to a few other people with ADHD and Autism over the weekend, one common theme came up: how much easier things became and how manageable the world felt once we accepted ourselves for who we are. That might sound like hokey rubbish, but I get it. I recently completed my diagnosis process and walked away with a “buy one, get one free” (yes, I still handle things with silly humour). But it wasn’t until I accepted those labels myself that I gained perspective—and saw where the world fit from my new position. The same goes for all aspects of my life. It wasn’t until I accepted my labels that I felt empowered to express myself, share my experiences, and give people insight into my perspective. This came up during a talk I did last week, which probably explains why the conversation continued into the weekend. Self-acceptance isn’t easy. For me, it took standing in front of a mirror and saying it to myself (yes, I’m quite literal). But I can’t stress enough the positive impact it had on me. Just my thoughts. 💡

Executive Function challenges and ADHD seem to be everywhere these days. Johann Hari has an incredible analysis of why it seems more prevalent in his book "Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention." Short answer: it's not your fault; it's everything around us. From our food, to our entertainment, to the air we breathe and, yes, our phones, we are set up to lose focus. Join me next week to discuss how we can help our kids set themselves up for success with gentle mentorship around reflection, systems, and routines. Links in the comments to RSVP.

The internal restlessness of hyperactivity, of firing on every cylinder all at once, is totally what I see in the high-performing leaders who come my way. Then they feel so misunderstood by others, because they don't necessarily have "ants in their pants" and "can't possibly fit with the ADHD diagnosis". Hyperactivity isn't always visible, as Ellie Middleton says below. That mental overdrive is utterly exhausting though, and can mean that you don't get any of your bright ideas over the finish line. Because.. ✨ you get side tracked by your own thoughts ✨ you get so engrossed in one idea that you forget to eat, and crash ✨ you overwhelm other people by speaking in 1.5x speed ✨ you beat yourself up after another unproductive day of loads of brainwaves and little action "A little less conversation, a little more action" isn't so easy for those of us with brains racing at a million miles an hour. So please be kind to those who say they are exploring ADHD as a diagnosis, because many of their struggles may not be visible to you. And they may have become experts at masking those struggles, out of fear of judgment and shaming. ✨ If you are looking for compassionate assessment, diagnosis, therapy and coaching around your ADHD, come this way. I can help you burn bright with all those brilliant ideas in your mind, without burning out or burning bridges with others. ✨ #adhdawareness #adhdsupport #adhdwomen #adhdleaders #burnbright

When someone first told me I wasn't living authentically it pissed me off. Apparently, my pain was because my brain and body weren't listening to each other. If I could just learn to 'unmask' then all my problems would be solved. Sound familiar? Diagnosed as Autistic and probably ADHD, by the NHS, at aged 44, I had already picked up a number of other diagnosis - depression, IBS, possible Bi-polar, endometriosis, tendonitis, and non-specific pain condition to name but a few. I had struggled through eleven different procedures including my appendix removed 'just in case'. And all this when I can find the touch of my own children violating thanks to my sensory processing. Now a known member of 'the lost generation' I set myself up as a coach to support all those other non-white males who slipped through the diagnosis gap in the 80s and 90s. And deep dived into a new special interest - what masking is, how does one unmask and how do we stay safe doing so. If you would like to share your story, or not, listen to other's anecdotes of what unmasking means to them. While discovering The Lego Analogy of what masking is and how to unmask without leaving yourself feeling vulnerable then this is the workshop for you. Participation encouraged but not compulsory. If you leave a comment, I will read it out without disclosing your name, should you wish to remain anonymous. And there will be a recording available after the event. #onlineevent #webinar #linkedin #liveauthentically #bemorezebra https://lnkd.in/eJZ9__HE

There is no denying there has been an uptick in ADHD diagnosis especially among women and girls recently, but why? I encourage you to recognize warning signs of someone struggling because chances are you know someone who is. And don’t be the person that invalidates someone’s life experience by oversimplifying someone’s real struggles. If only it was as easy as making a list. Have you experienced this type of gaslighting at work?

To truly thrive with ADHD—to reach a place where inconsistency and unpredictability no longer hold you back—you must embrace a drastic lifestyle change. This transformation isn’t just necessary; it’s non-negotiable. Yes, it will be uncomfortable. Yes, it may feel scary. But let me tell you, it is absolutely within your reach. Operating day to day with confidence, peace of mind, and consistency is within reach. To get it requires stepping wildly out of your comfort zone! So, let me ask you this: How badly do you want the life you’ve been dreaming of? And more importantly, what are you willing to do to make it a reality? I’m here to walk side by side with you to make this happen: https://lnkd.in/gzZB7rjT

Having difficulty getting your healthy routine in motion when your ADHD mind keeps scrolling to random tasks. 🤯 Try habit pairing to drop weight and firm up. ✅️ After I finish doing (the habit I need to do) I will do a habit (I want to do). ✅️ For example "After I walk I will shower. After I shower I will leave at 7:30 am for the meeting. ✅️ Than keep the momentum going with habit stacking. Write it down and keep in motion. ✅️ The key is to keep going from one task to the next. ✅️ It's okay to make lunch or petting your cat one of your tasks to reflect on your progress Want to learn more? Lets schedule a chat where I share my secrets to weight loss. You have nothing to lose but the muffin top or the beer belly. Click below.🚶♀️👍🤗

THE POWER OF MEDS AND REST 💤💊💤💊💤💊💤💊💤💊💤💊💤 As many of you know, I have ADHD. Some of you also know I have Dyscalculia, (see https://lnkd.in/eb4VX5gU if you’re unfamiliar.) In addition, I do pretty much all of the aspects of my private practice myself. (YAY for programs and tools that do most of the math part!) I had a vivid experience last night that illustrated the power of both meds and rest so I thought I’d share it with you: I needed to add 18 long columns of large numbers at about 9:00 last night, 16 hours into my day, long after my Adderall wore off. After adding, re-adding, checking, rechecking the same two columns 4 times and getting different answers every single time, I bagged it and went to bed. I got up this morning around 5, did my usuals, took my meds, and plopped down to give it another shot around 9:00 AM this time. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! 18 columns, correct the first time, verified 2 ways. See now?!? 😊😊😊 Minding the chemical balance in our brains can make a HUGE difference!

This is what I use to calm down my ADHD brain! This practice, known as grounding or earthing, means the bare body is making contact with earth's surface. why not give it a go? Let me know in the comments if it works for you or maybe a grounding technique that has worked for you. https://lnkd.in/eGjkEMmx https://lnkd.in/erdfJEDv

A person addicted to drugs can keep your attention with erratic behavior... But that's not what you want. Slow down, breathe. Your audience isn't made up of children with ADHD. People want to connect with you; with your message. So why are so many videos full of intense, erratic energy? The quick cuts, lots of sounds, camera movements here and there.... ..all to make a video that is 'not boring'..? That's a clear sign that your message isn't strong enough. That your presence isn't welcoming or confident. That your shots aren't well shot. You can build a presence that is strong... Simply by being - Calm - Centered - Confident - Empathetic Believe it or not, there is an audience waiting for your type. We don't need more anxiety inducing behavior. We need you. A clear example: Matt Gray His brand is: - Value driven - Clear - Calm - Connected to wellbeing and nature - 'Anti-grind' My overall message? Don't build a prison cell around you with your content that doesn't feel right. Speak to the camera in the way that you want to set expectations... ..for how your clients should speak back to you.