E284: How I Juggle it All as a Mom with ADHD

You can do it all...but not at the same time. Every mom hits a busy season where you have no idea how everything is going to get done. Overwhelm is knocking at the door and you aren't sure where to start. I'm in that busy season with my upcoming book, and I'm sure you've been there (or are there now), too. Today I'm sharing an update on what's been happening in the last few weeks, and 6 things I'm doing to keep myself sane while I do it all. Plus I'm asking for help on who you think I should share the book with, so we can get the word out to as many moms as possible. Pick what helps and leave the rest. Big hugs! You can do this! Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-284-how-to-juggle-it-all-mom-adhd Links mentioned in this episode: How to Juggle Priorities: Decide Which Balls Are Glass and Which Are Plastic Article Episode 265: How Do You Keep Up with Everything as a Mom with ADHD? It's time to take care of you, mama. A whole weekend for you to relax and get away from all your weighty responsibilities, to understand your ADHD mind in community with moms who get it. Picture it: You, me, and 13 other ADHD mamas hanging out all weekend with plenty of acres and your very own adorable tiny home for you to enjoy the peace and quiet, too. Time to relax! Get your ticket now for the 5th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat on October 16-18, 2026, and I'll take care of everything once you arrive! https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

Why does one tiny question sometimes feel like a full-body emotional attack? In this episode, I'm walking you through a very ordinary moment that turned into a huge realization for me: my husband asking why my gas tank was almost empty. Not a fight. Not a disaster. Just a question. But internally? My brain immediately launched into anxiety, defensiveness, shame, overexplaining, and mental gymnastics before he even finished speaking. And honestly, I think so many of us with ADHD do this all day long without even realizing it. I'm sharing what came up for me emotionally, how old childhood narratives around being "careless" still show up in everyday situations, and the exact neuroplasticity exercise I'm practicing to change those automatic responses. We talk about slowing down your stress response, recognizing the physical sensations tied to anxiety, and intentionally replacing old shame-based beliefs with sturdier, kinder truths. Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) does not have to rule your emotions! With time, I've shifted my responses so that I'm able to separate from roller coaster feelings. This episode is deeply personal, practical, and validating for anyone who feels exhausted from constantly preparing to defend themselves. You are not broken, Mama. Your brain learned patterns, and your brain can learn new ones, too. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-283-rsd-when-simple-questions-feel-like-personal-attack Links mentioned in this episode: Fill in a virtual coffee chat request to ask more about ADHD Coaching with Patricia. You're not alone. "This is a chance to invest in yourself and build a community that will empower your future. Worth it!" –ADHD Mama D.B. Our 5th annual all-inclusive ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat is coming up October 16-18, 2026 just outside of Houston, Texas! And I hope you're coming! I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. Put it on your calendar now. Having a circle of moms who support you and believe in you matters. Register for your all-inclusive ticket here: https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

I need your help. Have you ever tried to explain something life-changing… and somehow it still feels impossible to put into words? That's where I found myself after several coaching sessions that completely transformed how my clients saw themselves, their work, and their lives. One client untangled burnout and learned how to rest without guilt. Another stopped spiraling around work procrastination. Another finally separated her own inner voice from years of criticism she'd been carrying around for decades. And honestly? Sometimes even I step back and think, "How did we just do that in less than an hour?" In this episode, I'm sharing the analogy I use to explain what ADHD coaching actually feels like. If you've ever felt emotionally overloaded, mentally tangled, or like you're dragging invisible baggage everywhere you go, this conversation is for you. I talk about why ADHD brains need different strategies, how I help clients rearrange the "bags" they're carrying, and why so much of this work is about letting go of weight you were never supposed to carry alone. I'm not sure if the analogy fully encompasses how I want to describe neuroplasticity in ADHD coaching, but I would love to know if it makes more sense to you now that you've listened to this explanation. This episode is part practical ADHD strategy, part emotional unpacking, and part permission slip to stop carrying everything the hardest way possible. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-282-how-neuroplasticity-adhd-coaching-feels-like-magic Links mentioned in this episode: Fill in a virtual coffee chat request to ask more about neuroplasticity or ADHD Coaching with Patricia. Super stressed and need a break? Come along on our 5th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat, October 16-18, 2026 in the Texas countryside, located at the Happy Goat Retreat! "Honestly, this was one the best weekends I've had since becoming a mom. I've never felt so seen and understood. I would hop on a plane and go again. No hesitation! I'll follow y'all anywhere, moms." –ADHD Mama J.Q. I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. I take care of you while you learn how to take even better care of yourself, in a way that's sustainable for real momlife. Because you can take care of your family well when you're in a healthy place. It's time to get your ticket: www.patriciasung.com/retreat

"How do I reduce the number of doom boxes, doom drawers, and doom cupboards in my life?" –Mama T asks. Doom piles are the junk spots for things you don't know how to categorize or put away, so the junk just lives in the pile for months or years, as you shuffle it from one area to another until you get fed up! If your doom drawers, doom boxes, and mystery piles are quietly multiplying around the house, you are definitely not alone. In this episode of Your Questions Answered, I'm sharing a practical and compassionate approach to dealing with clutter when your ADHD brain gets stuck in overwhelm and decision fatigue. Instead of seeing doom piles as proof that you're failing, I'm reframing them for what they really are: unmade decisions. And honestly, that shift alone can take a little weight off your shoulders. Let's walk through my simple system for sorting doom piles into categories like things that already have a home, things that need action, and things you genuinely don't know what to do with yet. You'll hear real-life examples from my own home, encouragement to stop expecting perfection, and permission to create systems that actually fit your life instead of fighting against your brain. Plus, some "doom spaces" might actually deserve to exist permanently, so let's talk about why, and how having a plan removes so much of the guilt and shame tied to clutter. This episode hopefully feels like sitting with a friend who gently helps you sort through the chaos one basket at a time Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-281-how-to-organize-reduce-adhd-doom-piles Links mentioned in this episode: Christen Fackler's organizing method of cousins, coworkers, and family: http://www.iorganizeeverything.com/about-us.html It's time to take care of you, mama: A whole weekend for you to relax and get away from all your weighty responsibilities, to understand your ADHD mind in community with moms who get it. Picture it: You, me, and 13 other ADHD mamas hanging out all weekend with plenty of acres and your very own adorable tiny home for you to enjoy the peace and quiet, too. Time to relax! Get your ticket now for the 5th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat on October 16-18, 2026, and I'll take care of everything once you arrive! https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

"How do I reduce the number of doom boxes, doom drawers, and doom cupboards in my life?" –Mama T asks. Doom piles are the junk spots for things you don't know how to categorize or put away, so the junk just lives in the pile for months or years, as you shuffle it from one area to another until you get fed up! If your doom drawers, doom boxes, and mystery piles are quietly multiplying around the house, you are definitely not alone. In this episode of Your Questions Answered, I'm sharing a practical and compassionate approach to dealing with clutter when your ADHD brain gets stuck in overwhelm and decision fatigue. Instead of seeing doom piles as proof that you're failing, I'm reframing them for what they really are: unmade decisions. And honestly, that shift alone can take a little weight off your shoulders. Let's walk through my simple system for sorting doom piles into categories like things that already have a home, things that need action, and things you genuinely don't know what to do with yet. You'll hear real-life examples from my own home, encouragement to stop expecting perfection, and permission to create systems that actually fit your life instead of fighting against your brain. Plus, some "doom spaces" might actually deserve to exist permanently, so let's talk about why, and how having a plan removes so much of the guilt and shame tied to clutter. This episode hopefully feels like sitting with a friend who gently helps you sort through the chaos one basket at a time Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-281-how-to-organize-reduce-adhd-doom-piles Links mentioned in this episode: Christen Fackler's organizing method of cousins, coworkers, and family: http://www.iorganizeeverything.com/about-us.html It's time to take care of you, mama: A whole weekend for you to relax and get away from all your weighty responsibilities, to understand your ADHD mind in community with moms who get it. Picture it: You, me, and 13 other ADHD mamas hanging out all weekend with plenty of acres and your very own adorable tiny home for you to enjoy the peace and quiet, too. Time to relax! Get your ticket now for the 5th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat on October 16-18, 2026, and I'll take care of everything once you arrive! https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

"How do I reduce the number of doom boxes, doom drawers, and doom cupboards in my life?" –Mama T asks. Doom piles are the junk spots for things you don't know how to categorize or put away, so the junk just lives in the pile for months or years, as you shuffle it from one area to another until you get fed up! If your doom drawers, doom boxes, and mystery piles are quietly multiplying around the house, you are definitely not alone. In this episode of Your Questions Answered, I'm sharing a practical and compassionate approach to dealing with clutter when your ADHD brain gets stuck in overwhelm and decision fatigue. Instead of seeing doom piles as proof that you're failing, I'm reframing them for what they really are: unmade decisions. And honestly, that shift alone can take a little weight off your shoulders. Let's walk through my simple system for sorting doom piles into categories like things that already have a home, things that need action, and things you genuinely don't know what to do with yet. You'll hear real-life examples from my own home, encouragement to stop expecting perfection, and permission to create systems that actually fit your life instead of fighting against your brain. Plus, some "doom spaces" might actually deserve to exist permanently, so let's talk about why, and how having a plan removes so much of the guilt and shame tied to clutter. This episode hopefully feels like sitting with a friend who gently helps you sort through the chaos one basket at a time Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-281-how-to-organize-reduce-adhd-doom-piles Links mentioned in this episode: Christen Fackler's organizing method of cousins, coworkers, and family: http://www.iorganizeeverything.com/about-us.html It's time to take care of you, mama: A whole weekend for you to relax and get away from all your weighty responsibilities, to understand your ADHD mind in community with moms who get it. Picture it: You, me, and 13 other ADHD mamas hanging out all weekend with plenty of acres and your very own adorable tiny home for you to enjoy the peace and quiet, too. Time to relax! Get your ticket now for the 5th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat on October 16-18, 2026, and I'll take care of everything once you arrive! https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

"How do I reduce the number of doom boxes, doom drawers, and doom cupboards in my life?" –Mama T asks. Doom piles are the junk spots for things you don't know how to categorize or put away, so the junk just lives in the pile for months or years, as you shuffle it from one area to another until you get fed up! If your doom drawers, doom boxes, and mystery piles are quietly multiplying around the house, you are definitely not alone. In this episode of Your Questions Answered, I'm sharing a practical and compassionate approach to dealing with clutter when your ADHD brain gets stuck in overwhelm and decision fatigue. Instead of seeing doom piles as proof that you're failing, I'm reframing them for what they really are: unmade decisions. And honestly, that shift alone can take a little weight off your shoulders. Let's walk through my simple system for sorting doom piles into categories like things that already have a home, things that need action, and things you genuinely don't know what to do with yet. You'll hear real-life examples from my own home, encouragement to stop expecting perfection, and permission to create systems that actually fit your life instead of fighting against your brain. Plus, some "doom spaces" might actually deserve to exist permanently, so let's talk about why, and how having a plan removes so much of the guilt and shame tied to clutter. This episode hopefully feels like sitting with a friend who gently helps you sort through the chaos one basket at a time Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-281-how-to-organize-reduce-adhd-doom-piles Links mentioned in this episode: Christen Fackler's organizing method of cousins, coworkers, and family: http://www.iorganizeeverything.com/about-us.html It's time to take care of you, mama: A whole weekend for you to relax and get away from all your weighty responsibilities, to understand your ADHD mind in community with moms who get it. Picture it: You, me, and 13 other ADHD mamas hanging out all weekend with plenty of acres and your very own adorable tiny home for you to enjoy the peace and quiet, too. Time to relax! Get your ticket now for the 5th annual ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat on October 16-18, 2026, and I'll take care of everything once you arrive! https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat

Have you ever made a mistake and immediately spiraled into shame? Like, "What is wrong with me!?!" Because, same. Except… this time was different. In this episode, I'm sharing a very real (and slightly painful) story about accidentally taking my stimulant medication before bed. Yup, that was rough. But instead of going down the usual shame and guilt spiral, something surprising happened – I gave myself grace. And that moment? It's exactly why this year's retreat theme is  "You Are Enough." We're talking about what it looks like to stop beating yourself up, to drop the constant pressure to be perfect, and to finally feel at home in who you are – mistakes and all. I'm also giving you all the details for the upcoming 5th annual Successful As a Mother Retreat on October 16-18, 2026: who it's for, what we'll do, and why this weekend might be exactly what you've been craving. If you're tired of carrying the mental load, tired of feeling like you never quite "get it right," and just want a space where you can breathe… this is your invitation. You don't have to earn rest. You don't have to fix yourself first. You are already enough. Come spend the weekend with us. Buy your ticket here: http://patriciasung.com/retreat Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-280-you-are-enough-buy-ticket-for-adhd-mom-retreat Links mentioned in this episode: Can't join us this year? Add your name to the 2027 retreat waitlist: https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat-waitlist You're not alone. "This is a chance to invest in yourself and build a community that will empower your future. Worth it!" –ADHD Mama D.B. Our annual all-inclusive ADHD Moms Weekend Retreat is coming up October 16-18, 2026 just outside of Houston, Texas! And we hope you're coming, too!  I'll take care of all the details - you simply show up and enjoy. Having a circle of moms who support you and believe in you matters. Reserve your all-inclusive ticket here: patriciasung.com/retreat Ticket sales close 9/24/26 or when the last ticket is sold.

Have you ever pushed so hard to finish something… only to realize you're not actually at the finish line? In this episode, I'm catching you up on life lately, from wrapping up my book to what the last several months have really looked like behind the scenes. Writing over 100,000 words, navigating intense editing, and learning how my brain works best stretched me in ways I didn't expect. And honestly, it was both exciting and exhausting. We're talking about what happens after a big push, that weird in-between space where you thought you'd feel "done," but instead you feel a little lost. I'm sharing what I learned about perfectionism, pacing, and why celebrating your progress matters way more than we think. I also open up about slowing down this summer, rethinking what actually matters in this season, and how I'm trying to make life feel easier instead of doing more. Plus, a few personal updates, including a surprising health discovery and what's coming next with the book. If you've been running on empty or wondering what comes after the sprint, this one will feel like a deep exhale. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-279-avoid-adhd-burnout-seventh-anniversary Links mentioned in this episode: Get book updates here: patriciasung.com/book Add your name to the 2026 annual ADHD mom retreat waitlist: patriciasung.com/retreat-waitlist Looking for support on how to treat your ADHD beyond medicine? Grab my free list of strategies and ADHD treatments at patriciasung.com/beyond-meds

Ever wonder why so many women with ADHD end up in relationships that drain them? You're not alone -- and it's not a coincidence. After hosting another magical ADHD moms' retreat, I couldn't shake the conversations we had around partners -- some amazing, others... deeply painful. In this episode, I'm sharing the patterns I've seen over and over: women with ADHD stuck in emotionally abusive relationships, often with narcissistic partners. And honestly, it makes me furious. We're digging into why this happens, how low self-esteem and a lifetime of gaslighting make us vulnerable, and how abusers prey on our empathy and longing for stability. I'm not a narcissism expert (yet), but I've got a stack of library books and a brain buzzing with questions. If you've ever doubted your gut or felt like your relationship was slowly chipping away at your sense of self, this one's for you. Plus, I give a life and book update, talk about the whirlwind of writing with ADHD, and how I'm navigating deadlines, stomach flu, identity theft, and everything in between. Want to be part of the book's beta reading team? Sign up at patriciasung.com/book Add your name to the 2026 Retreat Waitlist: https://www.patriciasung.com/retreat-waitlist Feeling overwhelmed? Grab my free reset video at patriciasung.com/calm Big hugs, Successful Mama. You're not crazy – and you're not alone either. Find links to everything mentioned in this episode & read the transcript here: https://www.patriciasung.com/podcast/episode-278-adhd-women-and-narcissists Looking for support on how to treat your ADHD beyond medicine? Grab my free list of strategies and ADHD treatments at patriciasung.com/beyond-meds