Screw report cards amirite?! I hated them as a kid!
So I need to come up with a better phrase for something I’ve been doing lately—
I've been experimenting with giving myself a little more structure, as an ADHD woman.
Specifically, each quarter I choose a few habits, rituals, practices, or projects I want to focus on solidifying in my life.
I keep these focuses small, generally. Even if I'm working on something big, I focus on the teeny tiny actions that can get me there. I'm not looking to overwhelm my beloved ADHD brain!
Last quarter, I worked on four things:
– Upping my running frequency
– Adding sprints to my runs
– Weekly household meetings with my husband
– Getting back on the wagon with flossing
I'm really pleased with the actions I was able to take on those fronts!
Lemme tell you about it.
1. FLOSSING: I've recommitted to my flossing practice. My rule is even if all I do is take out a length of floss, that’s a win. And of course, what happens is that as soon as I’ve got it out I end up flossing! The other wonderful thing is that I’ve gotten better at the actual manual skill of flossing, so now it really only takes me 30 seconds.
2. RUNNING FREQUENCY: I’m pretty consistently running 2 to 3 times a week now, and it’s reliably a little over 2 miles. I figured out a route that works for me—it’s about 2 1/4 miles, and it combines some mild uphill and downhill.
I find running simultaneously extremely uncomfortable and very pleasurable. So I dial up the pleasure by playing albums that I loved in my childhood and adolescence. Tori Amos's Little Earthquakes, Paul Simon’s Graceland, lots of Fleetwood Mac. And because I am a basic bish, Tay Sway and Chappell Roan too.
3. ADDING SPRINTS: The way I do the sprints is that I have figured out that it’s about 10 yards between two lamp posts in the park where I run. So every lap around the park, I sprint 10 yards between two lamp posts. It’s not overwhelming, because I’ve woven it into a task I’m already doing.
4. MARITAL MEETING: Hubby and I instituted weekly meetings, which I call Magenta Momentum Meetings, or MMMs. We meet at a local café and go over things in three categories: household maintenance, health, finances.
This has turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done for my mental health and our marriage.
Now, if you're an ADHD woman, looking at this list and feeling forlorn... please know that I am able to do this stuff, despite my multiple invisible disabilities, because of three things.
1. As a whyte, middle-aged, middle-class, childfree woman, I HAVE ENORMOUS PRIVILEGE. Yes, even though I also have disabilities! I always like to acknowledge this.
2. I TAKE MY ADHD SERIOUSLY. I don't wish it away. I don't pretend it's not there. I regard it as a sort of sacred trust. I am so honored to be the steward of Emma Wigglesworth Magenta! She has ADHD and a few other neurodivergencies, so she needs special care.
3. I GET COACHING. In times when I am flush, I pay top dollar for it. In times when I am on a budget, I read good books, follow people on socials, pay for low-cost coaching containers.
My friend, as an ADHD woman, you are probably LONGING for traction in your life.
You want to feel energized instead of burnt out.
In control instead of in chaos.
Supported and uplifted, instead of downtrodden and miserable.
Me and my ADHD clients are getting traction in our lives!
Yes, even with ADHD.
You ready for some of that? Book a Discovery Call with me and let’s get started.
I can’t wait to meet you!
Warmly,
Emma