93. Hyperfixations vs Special Interests vs OCD Rumination (+ spending $!)

In this episode, I'm breaking down the differences I've noticed between ADHD hyperfixations, autistic special interests, and OCD rumination (especially when it comes to spending money on hobbies and interests!). 

A little mini-monologue on why I'm not worried if I REALLY have OCD (or ADHD, or Autism) or not, + the tools and resources that have been helpful for me so far at the beginning of my journey! I recommend checking out NeurodivergentInsights.com blog articles from Megan Neff on OCD vs AuDHD etc. I've noticed that my OCD thoughts tend to have a three-part structure that makes them easy to identify—sharing about this too! Thanks for listening! 

*FOUR* different types of to do lists: Sequenced Lists, Brain Dump, Menu of Options, & the 'Done' List — and how to use them to support your executive functioning beyond the traditional 'to-do' (especially if to-do lists can get overwhelming or are unhelpful for you!) 

Sharing what I've noticed about how certain neurodiversity-affirming approaches can be *incredibly* supportive and accommodating for ADHD and autistic needs, while having the complete opposite effect where OCD is involved. Strategies that helped me so much before with demand avoidance and overwhelm totally backfired once my OCD flared up, and actually made things a lot worse. Unpacking all of that and more in this week's ep! **Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and the contents of this episode are not medical advice. I am not an expert on OCD, and I am not a mental health professional. This information is based on my own personal experiences at the beginnings of my journey in understanding my OCD with my therapist.** 

Why celebrating our wins is SOOOO underrated, and the importance of noticing and witnessing change, radical acceptance of who and where we are (and pride for the journey we've been through!) ANDD, making space for conflicting experiences. All in this episode!  

Documenting the beginning of my journey: exploring a potential OCD diagnosis. <3 

Joyful movement life update—I've been running for the last few months and I am LOVING IT. Modern shoe foams are stim toys for your feet, don't @ me. I'm also beginning to generate experiments for my creative burnout—is my brain tired because my *body* is tired from the last 6 months of high volume lifting? Do I need to take a break from stimulant medication, or days off, or get off completely? PLUS a framework for "physical therapy for your brain" for creative burnout recovery (the idea I shared at the end of last week's episode): how I created it, and how I plan on using it! 

Did I make a huge mistake by starting EMDR therapy? Or will it be worth it, if I can just keep going? Life update <3 

Support frameworks and mindsets I'm using to come back to the things I want and love to do after my PTSD/burnout in January :) 

In this week's episode I talk about why traveling has been hard for me with my AuDHD, some past experiences I've had on trips (needing sometimes a full month to recover!), and how I approached my trip this past weekend as an experiment to explore a few questions: 1. Do I have an easier time coming home if I am not the one who has to drive?2. Do I have an easier time coming home if the primary objective of the trip is to rest and relax?3. Do I have an easier time coming home if I have maintained a threshold connection to my routines at home?