A Strategy for Those Harder Than Usual Days.
As a woman with ADHD in my forties, my hormones, moods, energy levels, mental clarity, and ADHD symptoms feel more unpredictable than ever.
This means that I have more and more days that blindside me with challenges. Days that feel extra hard for no apparent reason.
So what do you do when you never know what surprise, grab bag of symptoms you're going to get from day to day? What do you do with that unpredictability?
You bring the predictability. You create a set of rules or guidelines for days like this. A strategy of simplicity, intentionality, self compassion, and self care for these surprise days.
So what does this look like in real life?
Well today is a perfect day for me to give you a glimpse into what this looks like fore me because today has been rough my friends.
At first I was on autopilot and letting my brain ruminate on how hard things feel and how I should be doing more and doing better than I am.
When I noticed this spiral of decent into despair and defeat…
I paused and breathed in deeply and reminded myself that I knew what to do in times like this.
Notice with intention what you think and feel. I closed my eyes and said to myself, “I notice my brain spinning, my energy dragging, and that everything feels harder today…and that's okay.”
I don't try to force myself into positivity, I neutralize my thoughts. I then said to myself, “I am a human having a human experience. Parts of this are uncomfortable and parts are okay."
I then soften into gentle empowerment. I said to myself, “I will simplify and do things with more intention and ease.”
I look at my day and I edit with ease, simplicity, and intention in mind. For example, today…
Instead of walking for an hour, I stretched outside in the sun for a couple of minutes and said to myself, “I'm choosing movement and to feel the sun on my face.”
Instead of recording a video for a project I'm working on, I worked on the cover art instead because that felt fun and doable. Then I said to myself, “I'm choosing to use my gift of creativity.”
I drank a prepackaged, organic protein drink that contained added fruit and veggie powder because I didn't have the energy to make food. Then I said to myself, “I'm choosing simple nutrition for my body.”
I added Crystal Light to my water so that I'd be more likely to hydrate. Then I said to myself, “I'm choosing to hydrate my body.”
Instead of putting together a bookcase like I'd planned, I set out the tools that I would need so that they're ready on a day that I do feel up to the task. Then I said to myself, “I'm choosing to take a step of preparation.”
I told everyone in the house to fend for themselves for dinner and said to myself, “I'm choosing to let the people I love learn how to be independent.”
Instead of calling a friend, I texted her with sincerity and said to myself, “I'm choosing to express love.”
Instead of doing all of my laundry, I threw my laundry down the chute so that it would be ready when I am and said to myself, “I'm choosing to take another step of preparation.”
Though I didn't have the energy to shower today or get fully ready, I wiped my face with toner, put on deodorant, brushed my hair, rubbed eucalyptus scented lotion into my arms and hands, and put cuticle oil on my nail beds. Then I said to myself, “I'm choosing self care.”
I put on comfy clothes and as I write this email, I'm whitening my teeth. I said to myself, “I'm choosing comfort and to take care of myself.”
Can you see how by speaking to myself with intention and telling my brain that I'm choosing each step, invites the feeling of fulfillment and a more gentle sense of accomplishment?
This is what makes the difference between a day of self loathing and completely shutting down and a day of learning to direct your human experience and take steps even on the hardest days.
How can you apply these ideas to create your own guidelines and strategies for your hard “surprise” days?
I'd love to hear what you come up with. Email me at jody@jodylong.com.
Xo, Jody
PS- I'm opening spots for 3 new 1:1 clients. If you're interested, simply book a call with Jody HERE or email Jody at jody@jodylong.com.
PPS- If you are newly aware of your ADHD or feeling lost, book your FREE, 30 min., ADHD Relief session with me HERE. We'll go over what you've been struggling with, isolate what to focus on now, and you'll leave with three simple, effective, steps that you can implement now to improve your life.
Can't wait to see you!