Alternate title: AuDHD Unmasking & Activism

Artist, skateboarder, special ed teacher, and AuDHD activist my world iz blue talks about his recent Autism and ADHD diagnoses... and the burnout that led to them.

He originally learned how to live unmasked by being labeled as an artist, i.e. someone who will be themselves regardless. However, that way of life directly clashes with what's required in the professional world.

We talk about how neurodivergent kids (and adults) are treated in school, what elements of a better world would look like, movement and mental health, and how collective action is our main option if we want to make the world better for all of us.

Connect & find his art on Instagram @myworldizblue

New Year: Map Your Intention session

Bonus: for folks who check out by Dec 31st, I'll also be providing a bonus follow-up email with suggested resources that I'll research for you after our call.

Resources:

1. Like Your Brain community space
2. Transcript Doc
3. AuDHDFlourishing.com
4. Email Newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus workshop from Like Your Brain (with client speaking cut out for privacy) on setting a personal intention or three for the new year that feels motivating and interesting to you. Of course you can use this method for any area of your life such as career.

Traditional goal-setting starts with where you want to "arrive." We start with how you want to FEEL, and what helps you feel that way. 

The reason I'm focusing on feelings and personal aims is that we often put our best energy into professional life, relationships, other people, and generally things we think we're supposed to do. If there's something that makes you feel REALLY REALLY GOOD, I want that to be elevated to the status of Annual Goal ;) (if you want that... we'll talk about ways to approach this without the goal word also)

1. What makes you happy, feel good, etc (or however else you want to feel)? Or what kinds of experiences do you enjoy (what brings you pleasure or is interesting to you)? When you think about times you feel good, or like the way you're feeling, how might you describe that? 
2. What activities, situations, people etc support you in experiencing or feeling that way? Are there any patterns you notice when you think about the times that you've felt this way?
3. What are some potential goals that might move you toward that?
4. Is there one that stands out that you'd like to work with? What might this look like for next year? What's feeling like something you could feasibly start moving toward soonish?
5. What do you need to support this? What do you already have at your disposal that might support it? What would you need to add to your life in terms of people, resources, learning, time, actual physical objects, etc to support this potential intention or desire?

Bonus: for folks who check out by Dec 25th, I'll also be providing a bonus follow-up email with suggested resources that I'll research for you after our call.

Full call including everyone's comments over on the Like Your Brain community

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're struggling, whether that's just a bad day, a longer stretch, or that very relatable feeling that all of life has been irredeemably difficult and that no one understands or can help... I just wanted to take a moment to validate and make space for those feelings.

You're not alone... and at the same time we can end up feeling very alone.

If you need to numb out from these feelings, it can help to acknowledge that it feels unbearable and that you're choosing temporary escape. We all do it and it can be a healthy coping mechanism!

Binaural music is the tool I suggested searching free versions of online.

What are some free and easy ways that you can feel a bit better, to get out of your head a little bit, to help the body get what it needs?

What are some accessible resources already at your disposal that have made you feel better in the past?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neurodivergent folks may not experience habits in the way they're traditionally talked about. Specifically, they may never become truly "background," and instead we remain in the active decision-making mode.

To that end, I've personally found it much more helpful to create rituals rather than habits. It explicitly acknowledges that this is an active process as opposed to a background habit, which is more honest about how our brains work. It also triggers my PDA (demand avoidance) far less!

This episode suggests some starting points, including:

1. Choosing a task or time of day to build ritual around
2. Finding your "why" and brainstorming possibilities
3. Pare down to an initial ritual of a few steps
4. Gather materials

Other podcasts/episodes mentioned:

AuDHD: The Science of Autism & ADHD on Sci Guys

Divergent Conversations podcast

Resources:

1. Like Your Brain community space
2. Transcript Doc
3. Email Newsletter
4. AuDHDFlourishing.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt made a career as a lawyer that worked for his brain... then found out he's AuDHD. He shares some of the challenges and strengths that have shaped his career.

This is helpful for any AuDHDer with professional struggles, and especially if you're in or are considering a client-facing career.

Note that we're not using his last name in the show notes or description for SEO reasons at his request, but he's happy to connect with young or aspiring AuDHD lawyers who are looking for mentorship or advice!

You can also connect with Matt on Twitter at matt_cam

Like Your Brain community space

Transcript Doc

Email Newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A simple practice blending honesty with your current feelings plus any gratitude that may arise. Including how to use this to smooth over social or family concerns... good luck with any holidays you celebrate!

p.s. there's a new website up at audhdflourishing.com! It's still under construction so please pardon any broken links... should be spruced up within the next week :)

Like Your Brain community space

Transcript Doc

Email Newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to Chris Hale for this cross-posted episode from his podcast, You Need a Coach B*tch!

We talk about:

• Building businesses that work for our AuDHD brains
• What we don't see when looking at the external success of others
• Why so many people who achieve creative success young have wealthy backgrounds
• Questioning WHY you want your big goals so you can aim towards the ones that will really fulfill your desires
• Why it can be extra tough to start a small business and/or creative business right now
• How our brains get stuck and...
• The state changes in the body that can help us get unstuck

You can find Chris Hale

1. On Instagram @theonlychrishale
2. All the links on LinkTree
3. Website theonlychrishale.com

Other resources:

Like Your Brain community space

Transcript Doc

Email Newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The story of a meltdown. For me these days, that includes some intrusive thoughts around being a burden.

You are not a burden. And even if we are sometimes, that's okay. I want to be a part of communities that can carry each other sometimes.

Like Your Brain community space

Transcript Doc

Email Newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diagnoses and labels can be really helpful to explain our experiences. We finally have a "because" to explain why we do the things we do!

And also... that same "because" sometimes starts to feel like it's holding us back. It's possible to acknowledge limitations while also leaving space for growth and inevitable change.

Like Your Brain community space

Transcript Doc

Email Newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda Thai is a therapist, educator, and storyteller. She has been one of the most important people in my own healing journey, especially her focus on somatic embodied integration. 

Feeling safe enough to work with what the body holds was a turning point for both of us. Linda shares about her own healing journey and how key the body was for her own process.

She drops countless pieces of wisdom in her gentle yet direct style.

You'll also hear me laugh a lot more than usual, in part because of how comfortable I feel in her presence!

Resources mentioned:

1. The January 2024 round of the Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies: Not only one of the best courses I've ever taken, but by FAR the best value for the cost (plus, scholarships available). I took this course twice and recommend it most highly!!
2. Linda's website: https://www.linda-thai.com/
3. If you scroll down on Linda's website you can sign up for her newsletter, which she usually sends monthly and is always informative. That's where you can find out about her new content for next year, including something called Trauma & The Voice that I'm very excited about!

Originally published on The Longer Road as a two-part series

Transcript Doc

Email Newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.