The Anxious ADHDer

Ever notice how the week between Christmas and New Year doesn’t feel like a real week? Like time has lost its edges, routine has packed up and left, and your brain is just floating around asking what it’s meant to be doing.In this episode, I’m talking about the Weird Week. That in-between drop after December ends, and why it hits ADHD brains especially hard. We get into what actually happens when structure disappears overnight, why feeling bored and overwhelmed at the same time makes total sense, and why this week isn’t about rest, failure, or “not using your time well”.I also talk about how the Weird Week feels before and after having kids, why comparison hits harder than usual, and why this whole thing is best understood as a recalibration, not something you need to fix.If this week always throws you, even when you expect it to, this one’s for you.✨ What I cover:• What the “Weird Week” actually is and why it feels so unsettling • Why ADHD brains rely on routine for regulation, not productivity • Time blindness, low motivation and emotional flatness during this period • Why struggling to rest or start things isn’t laziness or burnout • How scrolling and comparison make this week feel worse • Why this week isn’t being wasted, even if it feels messy • Small, predictable anchors that help your nervous system settle • How the Weird Week changes once you’re a parent • Why rest doesn’t always feel restful for ADHD brains • Letting this week be weird without trying to optimise it💬 Quotes to remember:“This isn’t laziness or burnout.”“This week is not being wasted.”“We need predictability, not freedom.”“You’re not behind. You’re just in between things.”“This isn’t rest. It’s the sudden removal of the thing holding everything together.”🧠 TakeawayThe Weird Week isn’t a failure, a slump, or a productivity issue. It’s a transition. ADHD brains notice transitions more sharply, especially when structure disappears overnight. Feeling unsettled here is expected.You don’t need to reset, optimise, or come out of this week refreshed and sorted. Small anchors, familiarity, and a bit of self-compassion go a lot further than pressure ever will.Let it be weird. January will bring structure back soon enough.

Ever head into December feeling oddly confident, only for Christmas to immediately prove you wrong? One minute you’re convinced this is the year you’ll be organised, calm and festive. The next, you’re overstimulated, surrounded by half wrapped gifts, and wondering why everything feels so loud.In this episode, I’m talking about what Christmas looks like when you have ADHD and anxiety in the mix. The sensory overload. The emotional whiplash. The way one “simple” task somehow turns into twelve separate ones. And why feeling behind in December isn’t a personal failure, it’s a completely predictable brain response.✨ What I cover:Why December hits ADHD brains harder than any other monthHow sensory overload builds fast during ChristmasWhy gift giving is never just one taskThe dopamine spikes and crashes that make everything feel more intenseWhy feeling behind is basically part of the festive packageTiny survival strategies that actually helpDecision fatigue and how to reduce itWhy rest is regulation, not lazinessLetting go of the idea that Christmas is a performanceNormalising messy, chaotic, imperfect festive seasons💬 Quotes to remember:“Dopamine goes absolutely feral.”“Christmas tasks are not one task.”“Sensory stacking equals chaotic brain soup.”“December is not a productivity test.”“Resting is not quitting, it’s regulation.”🧠 Takeaway: Christmas with ADHD and anxiety isn’t supposed to look calm, polished or effortless. It’s louder, messier and more emotional, and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Once you understand what your brain is up against, the guilt eases and the season becomes a little more manageable. You don’t need to win Christmas. You just need to survive it kindly.#ADHD #ADHDChristmas #Anxiety #Neurodivergent #ADHDPodcast #TheAnxiousADHDer #MentalHealth #ADHDLife

Ever feel like time just slips away from you without warning? One minute you’re replying to one email, the next the whole morning has vanished and you’re staring at the clock like it has personally betrayed you. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.In this episode, I’m talking about what ADHD time blindness actually feels like. The disappearing hours, the shock at the clock, the chaotic Tuesday that summed up my entire personality, and why none of this is about laziness. It’s wiring, not willpower.✨ What I cover:• What ADHD time blindness really is and why it isn’t poor time management • Why the brain doesn’t register time passing until it is too late • How one quick task spirals into a full morning • The Tuesday story that explains the entire ADHD timeline • The classic leaving the house scavenger hunt • Working memory and why time information deletes instantly • How dopamine impacts motivation, initiation and duration • Why urgency is the only thing loud enough to cut through • Time paralysis and why wanting to start isn’t enough • Tools that actually help: visible timers, start times, body doubling, playlists💬 Quotes to remember:"ADHD time blindness isn’t poor time management. It’s not about responsibility. It’s not about caring.""My brain is like, we have been productive. The clock is like, it’s 8.45.""Earlier isn’t a real place for ADHD people.""Then begins the ADHD scavenger hunt.""Energy yeah. Anxiety quite high. Intention missing, hope missing, will to live also missing.""I leave the house looking like a woman who has been chased by wild dogs.""I will check the time five times in one minute just to retain it for half a second.""You know exactly what you need to do. You even want to do it. But the body just says no."🧠 Takeaway: Time blindness isn’t a moral failure. It isn’t a lack of effort. It is a brain that does not track time the way other brains do. Once you understand that, the guilt softens. With the right tools and a bit of self-compassion, your days get easier and the pressure feels lighter.#ADHD #TimeBlindness #Neurodivergent #ADHDPodcast #ExecutiveFunction #ADHDLife #MentalHealth

Ever feel like you’re really good at making friends but accidentally terrible at keeping up with them? One minute it’s instant connection, the next you’ve slipped into silence without meaning to. If that sounds familiar, you’re not the only one.In this episode, I’m talking about what friendship looks like when you’ve got ADHD and anxiety in the mix. The fast bonding, the overthinking, the unintentional disappearing acts, and the kind of loyalty that stays even when your messages don’t.✨ What I cover:How ADHD makes friendships feel easy and intense at the startHow anxiety turns small moments into big worriesThe reality of typing a message and never pressing sendHyper-empathy and why it can be drainingParallel play as a calm, comfortable way to connectFriendship gaps and why they’re not personal failingsFinding people who understand your rhythmWhy connection doesn’t require perfect communication💬 Quotes to remember:'Think like detective board, red strings everywhere, me in the middle connecting the dots that probably do not need to be connected.''ADHD friendship energy is honestly unmatched.''You meet someone and your brain is like yes, this is my person, soulmate, done, we ride at dawn.''You overshare, you laugh, you message twenty voice notes, you plan a holiday, you’re ready to adopt a houseplant together.''Then your executive function evaporates in broad daylight.''You see their message, you feel the love, and you think I’ll reply… later. And later becomes never.''Typed the message. Laughed at it. Forgot to send it. Classic ADHD friendship behaviour.'🧠 Takeaway: Friendships with ADHD and anxiety aren’t broken, they’re just a different rhythm. Once you understand how your brain works, the guilt softens and the connections feel easier. The right people won’t be thrown off by the gaps. They’ll know you always come back.#ADHD #ADHDFriendship #Anxiety #Neurodivergent #ADHDPodcast #FriendshipEnergy #MentalHealth #ADHDLife

Ever feel like your brain is running five tabs of chaos, two of inspiration, and one that just keeps buffering? Welcome to the world of dopamine, the Beyoncé of brain chemicals, where ADHD turns everyday motivation into a full-blown group chat argument between serotonin, cortisol, and a very tired prefrontal cortex.In this episode, I’m diving into the messy, funny, and painfully relatable reality of ADHD, dopamine, and medication. From the chemistry behind motivation to the chaos of UK med shortages, we’ll unpack what’s actually happening when your brain can’t "just focus," and why it’s not a character flaw, it’s chemistry doing its best.✨ What I cover:What dopamine really does (spoiler: it’s not the happy chemical, it’s the potential happiness chemical)Why ADHD brains chase novelty, urgency, and deadlines like limited-edition dopamine dropsHow stimulant meds don’t "fix" you, they just give Beyoncé better lightingThe messy reality of medication shortages, trial and error, and the guilt that shouldn’t existWhy your motivation disappears mid-task (hello, dopamine depletion)The difference between chasing dopamine and cultivating it, turning chaos into creativityPractical ways to feed your dopamine: movement, music, novelty, and rest that’s actually restful💬 Quotes to remember:“Dopamine isn’t about happiness, it’s about the promise of happiness.” “Our brains aren’t lazy; they’re just wired to chase possibility, not the finish line.” “ADHD meds don’t make you someone else, they just give you access to the version of you that was always there.” “It’s not about becoming more productive. It’s about becoming more you.” “Your dopamine system isn’t broken. It’s improvising.”🧠 Takeaway: ADHD isn’t a lack of discipline, it’s a different rhythm. Dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, cortisol, they’re all just trying to harmonize in a band that sometimes forgets rehearsal. When you stop punishing your brain for missing the beat, you start hearing the full song. Structure, kindness, and a few small dopamine snacks can turn the chaos into creativity, because your brain isn’t the problem. It’s just wired to play jazz.#ADHD #Dopamine #ADHDMedication #ADHDLife #Neurodivergent #MentalHealth #ADHDPodcast #Motivation #ADHDCommunity

Ever feel like you’re performing a version of yourself just to get through the day? Like you’re acting out “Normal Person Energy” on loop? That’s masking. It’s the quiet effort of hiding your ADHD, anxiety, or other neurodivergent traits to fit in.In this episode, I'm diving into my own experiences with masking, the toll it takes on mental health, and how honesty and self-acceptance can lighten the load. Masking often begins as a survival mechanism, but it can quickly turn into burnout if left unchecked.✨ What I cover:What masking actually looks like and why it feels exhaustingHow anxiety shapes ADHD symptoms and fuels overcompensationThe different types of masks we wear, from perfectionism to the helper maskHow micro-honesty can make life easier without oversharingWhy being open about ADHD and anxiety can create more supportive environmentsLearning to balance being capable and chaotic without burning out💬 Quotes to remember:"Masking was never really about pretending to be someone else. It was more about me trying to make life easier for everyone else." "You can be capable and chaotic. Professional and neurodivergent, anxious and confident, they can go hand in hand." "Micro-honesty, tiny truths like 'I process better if I could just jot notes while you talk,' is disclosure without a crazy long essay." "You don't have to shrink your ADHD or anxiety to make other people comfortable." "Since being honest, I don’t mask as heavily, and when I do, it’s lighter—less armor, more filter."🧠 Takeaway: Masking helps you survive, but it can also exhaust your mind and body. Small acts of honesty, supportive allies, and clear boundaries make it possible to navigate life as your true self without burning out. You can show up fully, chaotic and capable, and still be enough.#ADHD #Masking #ADHDAnxiety #Neurodivergent #ADHDPodcast #MentalHealth #Unmasking #SelfAcceptance #ADHDLife

Ever convinced yourself this time it’s different? That new hobby, skill, or random obsession is definitely your life’s purpose? Yeah. That’s hyperfixation. ADHD’s version of a two-week love affair with a side of existential overcommitment.In this episode, I’m talking about the beautiful chaos that is hyperfixation: why it feels like a rush, how anxiety crashes the party, and what actually happens when the dopamine runs out.Because hyperfixations aren’t failures. They’re just proof that our brains care deeply, sometimes for two weeks, sometimes for two months, always dramatically. 💛✨ What I cover:What hyperfixation actually is (and how it’s different from hyperfocus)Why your brain treats every new hobby like a soulmateThe “glow phase,” when you swear you’ve found your purposeThe crash, when dopamine ghosts you mid-projectHow anxiety turns rest into guiltLearning to pause before you chase the next shiny thingTips for working with your brain, not against it💬 Quotes to remember:“Hyperfixation is ADHD’s version of falling in love. The dopamine hits hard, and reality hits harder.”“Your brain isn’t flaky, it’s just chasing a feeling that makes everything else quiet for a while.”“When the spark fades, it’s not failure. It’s your brain taking a nap, not quitting on you.”“You don’t need to build a house in every new obsession. Sometimes it’s enough to just visit.”🧠 Takeaway: Hyperfixations aren’t proof of inconsistency. They’re little bursts of joy, curiosity, and meaning. The trick isn’t to stop them. It’s to stop shaming yourself when they end.So ride the wave, don’t build a house there, and remember: when the buzz fades, it’s not the end. It’s just intermission.#ADHD #Hyperfixation #ADHDAnxiety #Neurodivergent #ADHDPodcast #MentalHealth #HyperfixationCrash #ADHDLife

Ever sit down to tweak one tiny thing… and six hours later you’ve redesigned your entire life, your tea’s cold, and your leg’s gone completely numb? Yeah. That’s hyperfocus, the best and worst part of the ADHD brain.In this episode, I’m unpacking how hyperfocus can be both a creative high and an emotional crash. We’ll look at what’s really happening in your brain, how anxiety hijacks it, and how to land softly before the burnout hits.Because hyperfocus isn’t a flaw, it’s just a superpower that needs gentler boundaries. 💛✨ What I cover:What hyperfocus really is and why it feels so goodHow anxiety turns passion into pressureRecognising when creativity becomes controlThe “soft landing” - ending before you’re emptyHow to de-shame the crash and treat it as recoveryCommunication whiplash and learning to re-engage gently💬 Quotes to remember:“Hyperfocus is when our brains flood with dopamine - finally something stimulating enough to lock in everything else. Hunger, thirst, time… they all just disappear.”“Anxiety sees the burst and goes, ‘Perfect, let’s live here forever.’ And suddenly it’s not creative anymore - it’s about control.”“You didn’t lose momentum, you just ran out of battery.”#ADHD #Anxiety #Hyperfocus #ADHDPodcast #Neurodivergent #MentalHealth #ADHDAnxiety #HyperfocusHangover

Ever find yourself going full project manager for 48 hours, colour-coding your entire life, labelling folders, making fresh to-do lists, and convincing yourself this planner will finally fix everything... only to burn out two days later?Yeah. Same.Welcome to what I’m calling The Productivity Paradox, that messy overlap where ADHD’s love of novelty meets anxiety’s need for control. It’s the perfect recipe for chaos, burnout, and a lot of half-finished “new systems.”Because when anxiety yells “you’re not doing enough!”, ADHD goes “cool, let’s fix it!”, cue the spreadsheets, templates, colour palettes, and eventual existential crisis.✨ Spoiler: You don’t need another planner, you just need a softer approach.✨ What I cover:Why ADHD & anxiety turn productivity into panicThe “panic with a planner” cycle (and why it feels so addictive)How guilt & self-worth get tangled up in being busyThe Three-Thing Rule (and why it’s life-changing)Micro-momentum, starting small when perfectionism freezes youRest as reboot, not rewardBody doubling & gentle time managementCompassion check-ins, because sometimes you need a hug, not a spreadsheet💬 Quote to remember:“It’s not about shrinking your goals, it’s about shrinking the chaos so you can breathe.” “You’re allowed to rest, you’re allowed to be messy, and you’re definitely allowed to have a half-finished to-do list and still be proud of yourself.”💛 For the fellow anxious ADHDersIf you’ve ever felt guilty for resting, or caught yourself making things look “together” without ever feeling together, this episode is for you.You’re not lazy, you’re not broken, you’re just wired for a different kind of brilliance. And sometimes, that means your productivity looks less like hustle and more like surviving with style.So, shut the planner, take a breath, and remember, a half-finished to-do list still counts.#ADHD #Anxiety #Neurodivergent #ProductivityParadox #MentalHealth #Podcast #ADHDAnxiety #ADHDProductivity #ADHDPodcast #ADHDandAnxiety

Ever find yourself saying "sure!" before your brain’s even loaded the question?I’m diving into The Art of Saying No, and the people-pleasing panic that so often comes with ADHD and anxiety. When your brain’s wired to avoid guilt, conflict or rejection, even the smallest “no” can feel absolutely massive.I’m learning to pause before the panic, set limits without spiralling, and remind myself that disappointing someone isn’t the same as doing something wrong. 💛Because honestly, being a “yes person” with ADHD and anxiety can feel like a full-time job. From apologising to bins (yes, really) to replaying every conversation in your head for days, people-pleasing might look like control, but it’s actually just exhaustion wearing a polite smile.ADHD impulsivity and anxious overthinking create the perfect storm, making every “no” feel like rejection. I talk about why that happens, how to pause before the panic, and what I’m doing to break the habit of over-apologising for existing.✨ What I cover:Why ADHD and anxiety make saying “no” feel dangerousThe people-pleasing cycle of yes → regret → burnoutMy go-to tools: the delay, the tiny no and the approval detoxReframing guilt as empathy (without losing yourself in it)💬 Quote to remember:“Disappointing someone is not the same as doing something wrong.”If this gives you even a smidge of courage to say “nah, not today”, share it with a fellow overthinker or recovering people-pleaser. You don’t owe everyone your energy, just your authenticity.#ADHD #Anxiety #PeoplePleasing #Boundaries #MentalHealth #Podcast #Neurodivergent #SelfGrowth

Overthinking? Same.I’m Jess, your anxious, tea-fuelled ADHDer figuring life out one impulsive decision (and mild panic) at a time.The Anxious ADHDer is a podcast for brains that don’t always play by the rules. And if I dare so say myself, honest, funny, and a little chaotic in all the right ways.New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Grab your brew, press play, and feel a little more understood. 💜

Ever feel like even simple choices drain you?In this episode, I’m diving into decision fatigue, the quiet, exhausting side of ADHD and anxiety that nobody really warns you about. You know, when every choice feels heavy and your brain’s running on empty, it’s easy to start doubting yourself.I’ll share how I’m learning to rebuild self-trust, what actually helps when your mind feels jammed, and a few small ways to bring your brain and energy back online. 💛Because honestly, being indecisive isn’t laziness, it’s your brain trying to protect itself. From picking lunch to making work decisions, ADHD impulsivity and anxious overthinking can make even the smallest choices feel massive. When every option comes with a dozen what-ifs, no wonder we freeze, delay, or hand the decision to someone else.✨ What I cover:Why ADHD and anxiety make every decision feel like climbing a mountainHow overthinking and perfectionism drain your mental energyPractical tools like decision windows, default options and micro-commitmentsHow to use criteria, not emotions, to simplify choicesSmall ways to rebuild trust in your own judgement💬 Quote to remember:“Indecision doesn’t mean failure, it just means your brain is tired.”#ADHD #Anxiety #DecisionFatigue #Overthinking #Boundaries #MentalHealth #Neurodivergent #SelfTrust

Ever find yourself stuck in that ADHD and anxiety shame spiral where one tiny mistake suddenly feels like proof you’re a total failure? You’re not alone.In this episode, I’m unpacking that exhausting loop, from missed deadlines and forgotten texts to those awkward moments your brain replays on a loop. I’ll share how ADHD sets the stage and anxiety piles on, why this combo hits so hard, and how I’m learning to climb out of it.Expect a few (very) cringe-worthy stories, honest reflections, and practical tools to remind us that shame is a liar, mistakes are human, and small wins count... more than we think. 💜Because let’s be honest, ADHD can make life messy, with missed deadlines, misplaced bills and late replies, and anxiety loves to make each one feel like the end of the world. Together they create a loop of overthinking, avoidance and guilt that is tough to break.✨ What I cover:Why ADHD and anxiety make small mistakes feel massiveHow the shame spiral starts and why it sticksThe role of silence, overthinking and what ifsPractical tools like resets, quick repairs and celebrating small winsHow to separate shame from reality and respond with self-compassion💬 Quote to remember:“Shame doesn’t say you did a bad thing, it says you’re a bad thing, and that’s the lie.”If this episode gives you a moment of relief, share it with someone who’s ever apologised for simply being human. Remember, ADHD does not make you lazy, and anxiety does not make you weak. Mistakes are proof you are trying.#ADHD #Anxiety #ShameSpiral #MentalHealth #Overthinking #Boundaries #SelfCompassion #Neurodivergent

You know that voice that tells you you’re not doing enough - no matter how hard you try?In this episode, I’m diving into the inner critic, that relentless voice that shows up when ADHD and anxiety collide. The one that fuels negative self-talk, chips away at self-esteem, and keeps saying that you should “do better.”I’ll share how naming your inner critic can create space, calm emotional chaos, and remind you that you are not your thoughts. 💜Because if you live with ADHD and anxiety, that inner voice can sound brutally convincing. It shows up in every missed deadline, every awkward moment, every time you overthink a text. But naming it helps separate you from it. Once you can recognise that voice as something outside of yourself, it loses its grip.✨ What I cover:Why ADHD and anxiety amplify your inner criticHow negative self-talk affects focus, mood and self-esteemWhy naming the voice helps create distance and perspectivePractical tools to challenge unhelpful thoughtsHow to respond with compassion and rebuild self-trust💬 Quote to remember:“You are not the voice in your head. You are the person who gets to choose how to respond to it.”If this episode helps you feel a little lighter, share it with someone who needs a reminder that their thoughts aren’t facts. Be kind to yourself, name the voice, and take back your power.#ADHD #Anxiety #InnerCritic #SelfCompassion #MentalHealth #Neurodivergent #Overthinking #Boundaries

Ever wonder why ADHD and anxiety can make relationships feel like an emotional rollercoaster? In this first episode, I’m exploring how the two tangle together, think emotional spirals, miscommunication, and that constant sense of overwhelm that nobody really talks about.I’ll share a few honest reflections, what I’m personally working on, and some small strategies that help me slow the spiral (or at least make it suck a little less).This is just the beginning there’s so much more to unpack! If you’ve ever thought, “Why is my brain like this?” welcome to my world. Let’s figure it out, one episode at a time. 💜Because when ADHD and anxiety collide, it can feel like your brain is at war with itself. ADHD makes it hard to start, focus or remember, and anxiety keeps whispering that you’ll mess everything up. Together they feed self-doubt, avoidance and burnout. And if you’ve ever found yourself overthinking a message, cancelling plans out of guilt, or trying to be “easy” so no one leaves, you’ll get it.✨ What I cover:How ADHD and anxiety feed off each otherWhy the overlap can make relationships feel so intenseHow self-sabotage and overthinking show up in daily lifeThe difference between forgetfulness and fearPractical tools to calm your brain and rebuild self-trust💬 Quote to remember:“You’re not lazy or broken. You’re just living in a nervous system that’s been on high alert for too long.”This is just the beginning, and there’s so much more to unpack. If you’ve ever thought, “Why is my brain like this?” welcome to my world. Let’s figure it out, one episode at a time.#ADHD #Anxiety #MentalHealth #SelfAwareness #Relationships #Neurodivergent #Overthinking