Creating Your Unique ADHD Productivity/Rest Balance with Grace Koelma

How do you balance productivity, rest, growth and self-compassion with ADHD?

In this episode, I’m joined by Grace Koelma, ADHD advocate, writer, and creator of the Future ADHD digital planner, which has helped over 80,000 neurodivergent individuals better organise their lives.

Diagnosed with ADHD in her early 30s, Grace knows firsthand the frustrations of traditional productivity tools and has built a career around helping ADHDers work with—not against—their brains. Together, we discuss the significance of rest, its different forms, and how understanding our unique needs can empower us to lead more fulfilling lives.

We dive deep into:

✨ Why traditional productivity hacks don’t work for ADHD brains (and what does!)

✨ The power of personalised planning tools and how they can help reduce stress

✨ Why rest isn’t just about sleep and understanding the 10 types of rest ADHDers need

✨ What ‘clickbait thoughts’ are and how to stop them from hijacking your mindset

✨ How to break free from shame and embrace a neurodivergent-friendly way of working

Timestamps:

🕒 03:42 - Breaking the cycle of shame & ADHD productivity struggles

🕒 09:20 - The link between neurodivergent creativity & productivity

🕒 21:07 - Understanding the role of rest in ADHD & why we need more than just sleep

🕒 25:20 - The 10 types of rest ADHDers need for better mental wellbeing

🕒 32:47 - ‘Clickbait thoughts’ relating to RSD and how to manage them

🕒 43:11 - How ADHD affects learning & education

If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at productivity or constantly swinging between burnout and hyper-focus, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered, understood, and equipped with practical strategies.

If you’re tired of fighting burnout and want to embrace your ADHD in a way that supports your well-being, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical strategies to help you move forward with more ease.

Ready to swap burnout and overwhelm for balance and ease this spring? Join me for a series of breakthrough ADHD Wellbeing Workshops and step into more understanding, self-advocacy, self-empowerment and self-acceptance!

Find all of Kate's popular online workshops and free resources here.

Kate Moryoussef is a women's ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity and clarity. 

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Connect with Grace on Instagram (@future.adhd) or visit her website!

Takeaways:

• Understanding ADHD can empower women to embrace their unique brains and lessen feelings of shame.
• Creating personalized productivity tools is crucial for ADHD individuals, allowing flexibility and self-acceptance.
• The importance of rest varies for neurodivergent individuals, with multiple forms of rest being necessary.
• Emotional and cognitive rest are vital for balancing the extremes of hyper-focus and burnout in ADHD.
• Late diagnosis can lead to shame, but psychoeducation can help individuals reclaim their self-worth and capabilities.
• Planning resources designed specifically for ADHD brains can help bridge the gap in traditional productivity methods.

Links referenced in this episode:

• futureadhd.com
• adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk

Mentioned in this episode:

Gratitude link