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Navigating Rejection Sensitivity (RSD) and Client Boundaries for ADHD Creatives
Running a business as an ADHDer is like putting your face right next to a fire—there is nowhere to hide from the heat of feedback. Maddy Shine, SEO and website strategy expert, knows this "burn" all too well; from the sting of a short email to the internal spiral when a client cancels a membership. In this episode, we dive into how Maddy stopped letting Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) dictate her professional worth and how she built a "Managing Expectations" shield to protect her peace.
The tone-of-voice trap: Why written communication makes it nearly impossible to detect tone and fuels RSD.
Expectation Shields: Using a "Managing Your Expectations" document to define exactly how you want to be spoken to.
The "Essay of Love": Why we expect poems of praise for our work and feel crushed by a simple "yes, all right".
The 2% Rule: Why 96% of people aren't actually thinking about you at all, even when you want them to.
Separating Art from Self: Learning to detach your personal identity from project results to avoid devastation.
Voice Note Therapy: Using community and "Instagram buddies" to let off steam so you can carry on with your day.
Role-modeling Rest: Why choosing to help family over chasing "multi-six-figure" burnouts is the ultimate power move.
Interrogate the Sting: When a message hurts, call it out; Maddy asks, "that stung a bit actually. Is everything okay with you?" to clear the air.
Contractual Kindness: Establish a separate document to your contract that lays out how you wish to be communicated with to ensure a friendly working environment.
Community is a Coping Tool: Whether it’s hanging out at the pub or speaking to "Instagram buddies," community is a massive mechanism for navigating the low moments.
Prioritize the "Mental Health Project": Realize that being your own boss is about the freedom to choose your time—like taking a day off to help family—rather than just chasing money.
Being a creative entrepreneur is empowering because it suits our brains to be our own bosses. However, it also means our work is deeply personal and we often internalize harshness. If you've ever felt like you were being "told off by a parent" just for sending a client an invoice or a draft, this episode is your reminder to be kind to yourself and find people who back you up.
Maddy's work focuses on uplifting women and non-binary entrepreneurs in three excellent ways so go check her out:
Official Personal Website: maddyshine.co.uk — Focuses on visibility education
Sassy and Soft (SEO Agency): sassyandsoft.co.uk — Her agency providing "done-for-you" SEO and website strategy services
Pints and Purpose: pintsandpurpose.co.uk — Her South London-based pub networking group
Instagram: @maddy.shine — Be inspired by the colour and the visibility tips
Download her free SEO Resource: Tell Google You Exist Guide — A free download to help business owners get started with search engine optimisation.
Join the ADHD Creative Club: Join the ADHD Creative Club community at https://theadhdcreative.club for more tips, tricks, and real talk on thriving as a neurodivergent creative entrepreneur.
View all episodes
By The ADHD Creative ClubRunning a business as an ADHDer is like putting your face right next to a fire—there is nowhere to hide from the heat of feedback. Maddy Shine, SEO and website strategy expert, knows this "burn" all too well; from the sting of a short email to the internal spiral when a client cancels a membership. In this episode, we dive into how Maddy stopped letting Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) dictate her professional worth and how she built a "Managing Expectations" shield to protect her peace.
The tone-of-voice trap: Why written communication makes it nearly impossible to detect tone and fuels RSD.
Expectation Shields: Using a "Managing Your Expectations" document to define exactly how you want to be spoken to.
The "Essay of Love": Why we expect poems of praise for our work and feel crushed by a simple "yes, all right".
The 2% Rule: Why 96% of people aren't actually thinking about you at all, even when you want them to.
Separating Art from Self: Learning to detach your personal identity from project results to avoid devastation.
Voice Note Therapy: Using community and "Instagram buddies" to let off steam so you can carry on with your day.
Role-modeling Rest: Why choosing to help family over chasing "multi-six-figure" burnouts is the ultimate power move.
Interrogate the Sting: When a message hurts, call it out; Maddy asks, "that stung a bit actually. Is everything okay with you?" to clear the air.
Contractual Kindness: Establish a separate document to your contract that lays out how you wish to be communicated with to ensure a friendly working environment.
Community is a Coping Tool: Whether it’s hanging out at the pub or speaking to "Instagram buddies," community is a massive mechanism for navigating the low moments.
Prioritize the "Mental Health Project": Realize that being your own boss is about the freedom to choose your time—like taking a day off to help family—rather than just chasing money.
Being a creative entrepreneur is empowering because it suits our brains to be our own bosses. However, it also means our work is deeply personal and we often internalize harshness. If you've ever felt like you were being "told off by a parent" just for sending a client an invoice or a draft, this episode is your reminder to be kind to yourself and find people who back you up.
Maddy's work focuses on uplifting women and non-binary entrepreneurs in three excellent ways so go check her out:
Official Personal Website: maddyshine.co.uk — Focuses on visibility education
Sassy and Soft (SEO Agency): sassyandsoft.co.uk — Her agency providing "done-for-you" SEO and website strategy services
Pints and Purpose: pintsandpurpose.co.uk — Her South London-based pub networking group
Instagram: @maddy.shine — Be inspired by the colour and the visibility tips
Download her free SEO Resource: Tell Google You Exist Guide — A free download to help business owners get started with search engine optimisation.
Join the ADHD Creative Club: Join the ADHD Creative Club community at https://theadhdcreative.club for more tips, tricks, and real talk on thriving as a neurodivergent creative entrepreneur.