Identity - winging it

Alright, be honest—how many unfinished projects do you have lying around right now?The book you swore you’d finish? Still sitting on the shelf.The laundry you folded? Now part of the furniture.That hobby you definitely thought would be your new personality? Yeah, that lasted a week.If this sounds painfully relatable, welcome to the ADHD Half-Finished Club.In this episode, we’re calling ourselves out for starting things with full enthusiasm… and then immediately losing interest.• Why do we do this?• What’s actually happening in our brains?• And can we actually trick ourselves into finishing things without hating life?Grab a drink, settle in, and let’s laugh through the chaos together.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:✔ The ADHD “Half-Finished” Hall of Fame – Books, hobbies, laundry… we’re exposing ourselves.✔ Why Our Brains Do This – The science behind our shiny new project syndrome.✔ How to Actually Finish Things – Simple ADHD-friendly hacks that actually work.✔ The Big Takeaway – You’re not lazy. You’re not failing. You just need a different approach.Key Takeaways✨ Your ADHD brain isn’t broken—it just needs dopamine, urgency, and a little trickery to get things done.✨ Not everything needs to be finished immediately. Some things can wait. Some things don’t actually need finishing at all.✨ You’re not alone in this. If you have a house full of half-done tasks, welcome to the club.Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!💬 What’s the most ridiculous thing YOU’VE left half-finished?📩 DM me on Instagram @whenlifebeginsat40 because I need to hear your stories!📢 If this episode made you laugh, share it! Someone else out there needs to hear this.🔥 Remember: You’re not failing. Your brain just likes starting things more than finishing them.🎙 Hit subscribe & don’t leave this episode half-listened! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have ADHD and feel like your symptoms have gotten 10 times worse lately—more brain fog, emotional chaos, exhaustion, forgetfulness—you’re not imagining it. Perimenopause is here to mess things up.This episode dives deep into why perimenopause makes ADHD so much harder, what’s actually happening in the brain, and what you can do to manage it.💡 In This Episode:✔ The Science Behind Perimenopause & ADHD – Why estrogen & dopamine are key players in ADHD function.✔ The Cognitive Struggles – Brain fog, forgetfulness, executive dysfunction.✔ The Emotional Chaos – Mood swings, rejection sensitivity (RSD), and feeling like a different person.✔ The Daily Struggles – Sleep issues, sensory sensitivities, and complete exhaustion.✔ What Actually Helps? – Practical strategies, medication tweaks, HRT, lifestyle adjustments, and self-advocacy.Key Takeaways🌟 You are not broken. Your brain is reacting to massive hormonal shifts.🌟 You are not failing—your body and mind are adapting.🌟 You deserve support, whether that’s medical, lifestyle changes, or just people who understand.Resources & Tools Mentioned:📌 Tracking Symptoms: Apps like Clue, Flo, or a simple journal.📌 Supplements That May Help: Omega-3s, Vitamin D, Iron (if low).📌 ADHD-Friendly Strategies: Micro-habits, body doubling, low-energy productivity hacks.📌 Medical Support: ADHD medication adjustments, HRT (if suitable), consulting a doctor who understands ADHD + menopause.Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!✨ Follow me on Instagram: @whenlifebeginsat40✨ Struggling with ADHD & perimenopause? DM me—I’d love to hear your story.✨ If this episode helped you, please share it! There are so many women out there who need to hear this.🔥 Remember: You are adapting, not failing. You are not alone in this.🎙 Subscribe & leave a review! It helps more neurodivergent women find this podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🚨 Trigger Warning: Discussion of friendship breakups, rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), and toxic friendships.Friendship should feel safe. It should be easy. You shouldn’t have to overthink every text, worry that your bad day will make someone leave, or feel like you’re “too much” just for existing.But what happens when a friendship no longer feels like that? What happens when trust is broken, when you’re dismissed, or when you realise that being in someone’s life is causing you more stress than happiness?Here’s the thing: I do not go back to ended friendships. Ever. Not because I hold grudges, but because I hold boundaries. If I can’t trust you, if I have to second-guess my place in your life, if you’ve shown me that I can’t rely on you—then that door is closed for good.💬 In This Episode:✔ Why I do not revisit ended friendships (and why that’s self-protection, not bitterness)✔ How rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) makes trust nearly impossible to rebuild✔ The emotional toll of friendships where you feel like you’re too much✔ That friendship group who speculated about my postpartum depression but never checked in on me✔ Why friendship should be drama-free, easy, and accepting of both good and bad days✔ Why toxic positivity isn’t real support💡 Key Takeaways:• If your friend can’t take you on your worst day, they are not worth your time on your best day.• You are not “too much.” They are simply not enough for you.• Walking away from a friendship that no longer serves you is not cruel—it’s self-respect.🎙 Let’s connect!✨ Follow me on Instagram: @whenlifebeginsat40✨ Have you ever had to walk away from a friendship for your own mental health? DM me—I want to hear your story!✨ Don’t forget to subscribe & leave a review—it helps more neurodivergent people find this podcast!You are not broken. You are not too much. And you deserve friendships that feel safe, real, and accepting of all of you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🚨 Trigger Warning: Mild discussion of money anxiety and decision-making overwhelm.Ever spent way too long deciding on something simple, only to end up buying nothing? Or spent hours researching an item, panicked after purchasing it, and then convinced yourself you made the wrong choice? Yeah, same.When you have ADHD, autism, or both, making decisions can feel like an extreme sport—especially when it comes to big purchases, meal planning, or even choosing what to watch on Netflix. Between executive dysfunction, overthinking, perfectionism, and money anxiety, decision fatigue is a real struggle.In this episode, I’m breaking down:✔ Why neurodivergent brains struggle with decision-making✔ The fear of regret, perfectionism, and why we spiral over ‘the right choice’✔ How money anxiety makes spending feel impossible✔ Real-life examples of decision paralysis (yes, I’m still choosing a toaster)✔ Strategies to make decision-making easier when your brain refuses to cooperateSo, if you’ve ever felt personally victimised by your own inability to make a decision, this one’s for you.🎙 Let’s connect!✨ Follow me on Instagram: @whenlifebeginsat40✨ Tag me in your stories & tell me what’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve spent too long deciding on? DM me—I need to know I’m not alone in this!✨ Don’t forget to subscribe & leave a review—it helps more neurodivergent folks find this podcast!Alright, time to stop overthinking and hit play—let’s get into it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🚨 Trigger Warning: Discussion of autism/ADHD assessments, masking, and experiences of being dismissed by professionals.You know your child. You know yourself. So why is it that when you try to explain the reality of neurodivergence—whether it’s your own or your child’s—so many professionals, teachers, and even family members just… don’t see it?This is something I’m dealing with right now as I prepare for Blake’s autism assessment. He’s a high masker, but I see the signs every single day—his struggles with sensory sensitivities, transitions, and self-regulation. Yet, I know that in a short clinical setting, professionals may not see the full picture. And that terrifies me.This episode is for anyone who’s ever had to fight to be believed, whether for a diagnosis, accommodations, or simply understanding from the people around them.💬 In This Episode:✔ Why masking makes autism & ADHD so hard to diagnose✔ Why professionals often miss the signs of neurodivergence✔ The emotional toll of being dismissed or invalidated✔ My fears about Blake’s upcoming autism assessment✔ How to advocate for yourself (or your child) when no one is listening🎙 Let’s connect!✨ Follow me on Instagram: @whenlifebeginsat40✨ Have you ever had to fight for a diagnosis or prove your struggles to others? DM me—I’d love to hear your story!✨ Don’t forget to subscribe & leave a review—it helps more neurodivergent people find this podcast!If you’ve ever felt invisible, please know this: Your experience is real, even if others don’t see it. Keep pushing. Keep fighting. Keep trusting yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is real, raw, and deeply personal. Today, I sit down with Olivia (@mynewnnormal_), who is currently navigating the Right to Choose (RTC) pathway as she seeks an ADHD diagnosis.She isn’t officially diagnosed yet—she’s on the waitlist—but in this conversation, Olivia opens up about exactly what that experience feels like. The doubts, the emotional highs and lows, and the relief of finally feeling like things are making sense.What makes her journey even more layered? She’s also a mum to an autistic child, balancing her own struggles while advocating for him at the same time.This isn’t a clinical, polished discussion. It’s real life. It’s messy, unfiltered, and deeply relatable. If you’re on your own path to an ADHD diagnosis—or raising a neurodivergent child while figuring out your own neurodivergence—you’ll feel right at home in this conversation.What We Cover in This Episode:✔ Olivia’s journey to self-discovery – When did she first start suspecting she had ADHD?✔ The emotional rollercoaster of waiting for an assessment – The self-doubt, the validation, and everything in between.✔ The Right to Choose (RTC) pathway – How she accessed it and what the process has been like so far.✔ Parenting an autistic child while seeking your own diagnosis – The balancing act, the guilt, and the moments of clarity.✔ How she’s finding life right now – The struggles, the wins, and what’s helping her get through it all.✔ Advice for others in the same boat – What she wishes she knew before starting this process.Key Takeaways:✨ Getting diagnosed as an adult is a process—emotionally and practically.✨ The waiting can feel like limbo, but knowing yourself better is powerful.✨ Parenting a neurodivergent child while questioning your own neurodivergence is A LOT—but you’re not alone.✨ There’s no ‘right way’ to navigate this—what matters is that you’re taking steps that feel right for you.Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!📢 Follow Olivia on Instagram: @mynewnnormal_📢 Follow me on Instagram: @whenlifebeginsat40💬 Are you navigating an ADHD diagnosis while parenting? DM me—I’d love to hear your story!🔥 If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it!🎙 Hit subscribe so you don’t miss more real, raw conversations about ADHD, autism, and late diagnosis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friendship isn’t always sunshine and laughter—it’s also miscommunications, mistakes, and those oh sht* moments when you realise you might have messed up. In this episode, we’re diving into the reality of friendships, the struggles of navigating misunderstandings, and how neurodivergent traits like autism and ADHD can make relationships extra complicated.We’re talking about the guilt of saying the wrong thing, the awkwardness of overthinking every interaction, and the painful moments of being misunderstood or feeling like ‘too much.’ But we’re also talking about growth—how we learn from our mistakes, how we forgive (ourselves and others), and how we figure out which friendships are truly worth holding onto.💬 In This Episode:✔ The reality of making mistakes in friendships (& how to own them)✔ Overcoming the fear of being ‘too much’ for people✔ The impact of neurodivergence on relationships (and why we overthink EVERYTHING)✔ When to mend things… and when to let go✔ The messy, beautiful journey of personal growth🎙 Let’s connect!✨ Follow me on Instagram: @whenlifebeginsat40✨ Tag me in your stories & tell me your thoughts—I’d love to hear them!✨ Don’t forget to subscribe & leave a review—it helps more people find the podcast!Friendship is messy, but so are we—and that’s okay. Let’s get into it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK isn’t easy. The waitlists are long, the process is confusing, and it’s frustrating as hell. In this episode, I’m sharing my full journey through the Right to Choose pathway—how I went from an 18-month wait to getting diagnosed in just four months.In this episode, I talk about:✨ How Right to Choose actually works✨ Why I switched from Psychiatry UK to A Problem Shared✨ Exactly what happens in an ADHD assessment✨ The emotional rollercoaster after getting diagnosed💡 If you’re looking for more info on Right to Choose providers and want to hear real experiences from others going through the process, check out this amazing Facebook group:👉 Right to Choose ADHD & Autism Providers📢 DM me or tag me @whenlifebeginsat40—I’d love to hear your story.🎧 Listen now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For 41 years, I had no idea I was autistic. I just thought life was harder for me than it was for everyone else. I didn’t see myself in my son’s autism diagnosis. But when my daughter’s school told me she was showing autistic traits, I had a moment that changed everything—she’s just like me.And suddenly, my entire life made sense.This episode is for every late-diagnosed parent who only started questioning their own neurodivergence because of their child. It’s for those of us parenting kids who are wired like us—the ones who see our struggles mirrored back in them, the ones trying to break cycles while still figuring ourselves out.In this episode, I talk about:✨ The moment I realized I was autistic because of my daughter✨ The struggles of parenting when you are also neurodivergent✨ The absolute chaos of ADHD x ADHD executive dysfunction✨ Why, despite the challenges, raising neurodivergent kids as a neurodivergent parent is actually kind of beautifulIf you’ve ever thought “I see myself in my child”—this one’s for you.📢 DM me or tag me @whenlifebeginsat40—I’d love to hear your story.🎧 Listen now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever felt completely stuck, even though you want to get things done? You’re staring at the task, fully aware it needs doing, but your brain just says, “Nope.” Yeah, same.In this episode, I’m sharing five simple ways to trick your brain into moving—without it feeling like a chore. Whether it’s ADHD, PDA, executive dysfunction, or just pure overwhelm, these hacks will help you break through that mental brick wall and actually get started.No pressure, no guilt—just small, doable steps that make starting feel possible.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How to move without overthinking (goodbye, decision paralysis)• Why tiny actions can trick your brain into momentum• How to change your environment to stop feeling stuck• The power of speaking tasks out loud to make them easier• And my personal tricks that help me get sh*t done when my brain says “nah”If you’ve been stuck lately, this one’s for you. Let’s get moving—literally!📢 Try one of these tricks today and tell me how it worked for you! DM me or tag me @whenlifebeginsat40—I’d love to hear your wins.🎧 Listen now and let’s do this together! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.