There are days when the ADHD brain feels like it's running twelve tabs and a filing cabinet... underwater. In this episode of Spicy Brain, Megan and Michelle dive into the tangled mess of perfectionism, procrastination, and why even the smallest task can feel like a mountain when your brain is in burnout mode. If you’ve ever felt like your mind is throwing its own little tantrum before you even start, you’re not alone.

Megan shares a spot-on mental image of what shutdown feels like. Picture an infinite filing cabinet submerged in water, and burnout suddenly makes sense. There’s laughter, some solid “same here” moments, and an honest look at how we try to make peace with the weird wiring of our brains. Whether you're dodging your to-do list or riding the wave of overwhelm, this episode is your invitation to let go of perfect and make room for real.

Our favorite line from the episode is: ADHD is my first language

00:00 – Why “not doing it” feels like protection
04:10 – Filing cabinets and brain shutdowns
07:45 – Perfectionism dressed as productivity
11:20 – When procrastination is just fear in disguise
14:50 – Naming the shutdown instead of shaming it
18:15 – Strategies that actually feel doable
21:30 – Finding humor in the chaos

Follow the show, send it to someone whose filing cabinet brain needs a hug, and leave a review to help more spicy brains feel understood.

ADHD procrastination, ADHD perfectionism, ADHD burnout, ADHD shutdown, ADHD emotional overwhelm, executive dysfunction, neurodivergent mental health