Embracing Portfolio Work: A Path to Empowerment for Neurodivergent and Chronically Ill Individuals
In a world that often prioritises traditional career paths, portfolio work stands out as a flexible and empowering alternative, especially for neurodivergent and chronically ill individuals. Lots of my clients start their sessions with me seeking to change career paths or wanting to start their own business. But what exactly is portfolio work, and how can it benefit those who seek a more adaptable and fulfilling professional life?
Rejection Sensitivity Disorder: Self-Soothing Techniques for ADHD, AuDHD, and Autism
Rejection or perceived rejection often leads to intense emotional responses, making it challenging to navigate everyday interactions. However, there are practical strategies that can help you self-soothe and manage these feelings effectively.
Overcoming Inadequacy: Thriving with Affirmations for ADHD, AuDHD, Autism and Dyslexia
Low self-esteem is common, particularly for us neurodivergents who think and behave in ways that are not perceived by neurotypicals as ‘the norm’, and it can develop into chronically low self-esteem or self-hatred. Overcoming self-hatred is a challenging and deeply personal journey, and affirmations can be a powerful tool. Affirmations work by reshaping negative thought patterns and fostering a more positive and compassionate self-perception. Here are some examples…
The Silent Chaos: How Clutter Impacts Autism, AuDHD and ADHD Sensory Overload and Fatigue
Do you feel overwhelmed and unable to declutter but know it is the key to improving your home and working environment? Autistic folks and those with AuDHD, ADHD or dyslexia navigate a world that can often be overwhelming, particularly due to the surrounding environment. Among our various challenges, sensory overwhelm stands out as a significant hurdle. Clutter can affect autistic, ADHD and AuDHD folks, intensifying sensory overload and fatigue, and disrupting daily functioning.
5 Free Apps for Helping You with Your Neurodiversity & Chronic Illness
Supportive apps can be great to help you with your neurodivergence (such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia) or with the management of your chronic illness.
Access to Work often funds some excellent apps, programs, subscriptions and tools for you. However, there are plenty of free apps out there that can help. Here are some my clients or I use and have recommended
Dopamenu & ADHD: Boosting Dopamine for Motivation & Productivity
In today's fast-paced world, staying motivated and productive can be a challenge. With distractions at every turn and demands pulling us in multiple directions, finding ways to boost motivation and focus as an ADHDer is essential. One effective strategy I use with many of my clients is to create a dopamine menu or “Dopamenu" – a personalized toolkit of activities designed to trigger the release of dopamine. Learn how to make one here!
Navigating Emotional States: A Guide for ADHDers and Autistic Folks
Navigating life with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), AuDHD or autism can present unique challenges, particularly when it comes to how you perceive, express, and regulate feelings. Here I share some tips, as understanding strategies tailored to autistic folks and those with ADHD or AuDHD can help you to navigate emotions more effectively and improve your emotional state.
Nourish to Flourish: 10 Top Foods for Healing a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Crash
Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can be a challenging journey marked by unpredictable crashes that leave individuals feeling depleted. During these times, proper nutrition becomes a powerful tool in supporting recovery and restoring energy levels. Here are eight easy meals or snacks to help you rest and restore your body.
Empowering Affirmations for Neurodivergents: Building Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
Navigating the world as a neurodivergent individual often comes with its unique set of challenges. From facing societal misconceptions to grappling with internal struggles, the journey can be overwhelming, especially for those facing a late diagnosis. One powerful tool that can make a significant difference in boosting self-esteem and self-worth is the practice of positive affirmations. I work with neurodivergent clients, helping them transform their narratives about themselves. One way this can be done is through affirmations specifically tailored for neurodivergents to foster a positive self-perception. Check out the examples!
Unlocking Potential: Access to Work for ADHD, Dyslexia, AuDHD, Autism and CFS / ME
Find out what sort of support is available from Access to Work for you if you are autistic or have ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexia, or CFS / ME. I break the application process down into a few easy steps. I also provide tips on what help you can expect to receive as part of your grant and what to look out for when searching for an Access to Work coach.
Navigating Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD): Understand Your Attachment Style for Empowered Coping
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is something that not many people know about. But RSD is becoming a more widely recognised term within the neurodiversity world and in mental health circles, particularly among individuals with ADHD and with the rise of TikTok. It describes an extreme emotional sensitivity and intense fear of rejection, criticism, or disapproval that can often be physically felt. I share how you can learn how to understand and manage your RSD.
Building Better Boundaries for Self-Esteem, Confidence, and Organization
In a productivity-oriented world that often glorifies busyness, setting boundaries and saying no can be a radical act of self-care and empowerment, especially if you are neurodivergent or chronically ill. Whether in our personal or professional lives, declining commitments that don't align with our priorities is a crucial skill. Saying “no, thanks” can be a catalyst for building better boundaries and improved mental and physical health, leading to enhanced self-esteem, increased confidence, and improved time-management and organisational skills.
Navigating Transitions: Task-switching Tips for ADHD, AuDHD and Autistic Folks
For those of us with ADHD, AuDHD or autism the world can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of tasks, each demanding attention in its own unique way. Transitions between these tasks can be particularly challenging, often leading to stress and overwhelm. So, it is essential to explore which practical strategies can help you manage your ADHD, AuDHD and autism struggles and enable you to navigate task transitions more smoothly, creating a greater sense of control over your life and reducing anxiety in your daily routine. Here are a few tips to get you started…
Unplug to Focus: How Blocking Apps and Turning Off Notifications Can Help ADHD
In this fast-paced digital age, staying focused on tasks can be a massive challenge, especially for those of us dealing with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The constant barrage of notifications, emails, and app alerts can quickly derail even the most determined of us ADHDers. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with maintaining focus on tasks, managing their time effectively, and resisting distractions.
Gratitude Journaling and Chronic Illnesses
When you have a chronic illness, like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you may not be able to do many of the things that you used to do. But self-care is important and gratitude journaling is an effective tool to maintain good mental health! Here is how I use it…
10 Easy Ways to Save Money & the Environment
Here are ten easy changes to your life that will leave you and your environment richer. Save money and help the planet in the process! Sounds like a plan…
What do I eat to help my CFS / ME?
For those of us with CFS / ME and Long Covid, diet can play a big part in maintaining our energy levels and helping reduce brain fog. I talk about my experience of using food to aid my recovery, the effects and how I did it!
Growing microgreens on a windowsill
You may have grown cress as a child and seen how easy it is to grow. Microgreens contain a good amount of nutrients and are basically sprouted seeds and are a good way of getting extra greens into your diet.
Neurodivergence and Cooking: 7 Days of ‘Buddha Bowls’
You are not alone if, as a neurodivergent, you struggle with meal planning, online shopping and cooking. You might find recipes too difficult to follow, find cooking stressful, have varying tastes or textures depending on what week of the year it is and have safe foods that then you quickly cannot stand. But there are some solutions…
20 Free or Cheap Activities For This Summer!
15 ways to spend your summer leisure time! The summer holidays for parents are often particularly financially difficult but it is always nice to have ideas about cheap or free ideas for leisure time. Most of the ideas are eco-friendly too, in that they don’t require lots of electricity to do.