I have ADHD. The first time a therapist brought it up was when I was 13 but I didn’t get an official diagnosis until I was 19. I do my best to try and not lead with this info and make it my identity, but it is in fact part of my identity. At least I’m still trying to come to terms with it over 15 years later. So many non-qualified people diagnose each other and themselves with it lately like it’s a fad, that it has become a topic that annoys the bejesus out of me. Especially when they don’t understand what it’s truly like to have a neurodivergent brain. It controls so much of how I operate, receive information, process said information, decision making, and reactions.

I work and create from home, and anyone who knows anything about ADHD knows it’s basically like trying to herd glitter 90% of the time. Sometimes it’s beautiful. When I’m on my grind there’s almost nothing I can’t do. Sometimes it’s chaotic. When my brain is in the chaos loop it’s just best everyone around me holds tight for the chaotic ride that’s happening. Most days it’s impossible to contain. I can be a creative powerhouse riding the waves of inspiration and knocking out work projects like a caffeinated superhero. Other days I’m staring at my laptop, brain paralyzed by a to do list that feels like it was written in Latin.

ADHD isn’t just about distraction or forgetfulness. It’s also about divergent thinking. My brain connects dots that others don’t see. It’s like a kaleidoscope of ideas, metaphors, and what ifs. The way I annoy people with my “What If” questions is my superpower, I swear. Some people see it as a gift, some people see it as a curse, I think I’m in the middle. Regardless of how I see it, it’s the reason I can dream up bold visuals and pivot between projects with flair. There is always a catch though. Life without structure can lead to spiraling and pure chaos when it comes to deadlines and imminent projects. I’ve been known to hyperfocus on one project to accidentally miss a meeting. Focus on a small minute piece of information and miss finishing the whole project on time because one word seemed out of place. I’ll start 5 things at once only to realize I forgot to eat all day and still didn’t finish a single thing I started because I kept getting distracted by a new idea. I call that “Shiny Object Syndrome”, and I suffer from it badly.

I read somewhere that the same ADHD traits that make someone disorganized and unfocused are what makes them divergent thinkers. The impulsivity, risk taking tendencies, and wide-angle attention to detail, are perfect for creativity, but they also make everyday tasks so hard to get through. Which leads me to working from home. Is it actual freedom? Is it the best way for a neuro spicy person to work?

Being able to work from home has typically been a blessing for me. I get to curate my environment with things like soft cozy blankets, comfy pjs, controlled lighting, temperature, and I get to control noise in the background which is very important for my brain to process and think. For some reason complete quiet makes me crazy because any little random sound jars my brain and repetitive sounds like tapping and the consistency of say a water cooler, just any sort of pattern sounds, distract me because I begin to mimic them or get overwhelmed by them. I also need a lot of movement breaks. Working in an office is manageable but not so conducive to the way an ADHD brain is wired. However, the flip side is working from home strips away structure and accountability to stay on track. There are no coworkers to mirror, nothing to really signal the start of a day like a commute to work, and no boss walking by for accountability. That all can lead to burnout, anxiety, and being unproductive.

I’ve had to really curate some guidelines that I’ve had to implement to hold me accountable. Here’s what works for me.

• Time blocking is incredibly important for me. I schedule my day in chunks of time so that I don’t get overwhelmed. Setting alarms keeps me anchored in the now and sometimes I’ll even name the alarms things like creative flow, work vibe, etc.
• Visual cues are also super important to me, and they need to be aesthetically pleasing to my eye. I have specific colors of pens I write with in my planner. Pink for creativity. Blue for work. Green for me. I also have Post-Its everywhere. I buy cute lined floral ones off amazon.
• Permission to pivot is important too. I can get lost in being stuck. If I can’t continue with a task in 30 minutes, I’ll pivot. It’s not so much avoidance as it is about momentum and not losing it.
• Creative habits are super important to me. When I’m writing I have specific music I listen to for mood. When working I’ll light lemon, orange or strong citrus candles and open all the windows to make it bright. When reading I create the coziest warm vibe.
• Boundaries are super important for me too. If I’m working on something with a time restraint, I put my phone on the other side of the room, so I don’t pick it up and get distracted. When I start getting anxious or overwhelmed, I walk away and distance myself to regulate my mood. Time and energy are your most valuable asset so sometimes saying no to things you know will drain you is important too.

In the end it’s really all about embracing your spark. ADHD doesn’t mean I’m broken, it just means I’m uniquely wired. I need tools to manage my chaos, and I wouldn’t trade my brain for anything. Working from home for me just means I must be strict about my habits. It also taught me that success isn’t about fitting into a mold, it’s about building a life and situation that works for me. One that enhances the way my brain fires off and doesn’t hold me back. If your brain is a little spicy, sparkly, loud, and nonlinear then welcome home. You’re not alone. Remember to cultivate your creativity. It’s not a side effect, it’s your superpower.

XOXO,

Savi Monroe