Speaking up about my ADHD as an influencer - Grace Lim

Summary

Grace, a 30-year-old freelance fashion stylist and content creator, shares her journey of self-discovery after being diagnosed with ADHD. She talks about the struggles she faced in her work life, feeling constantly distracted and exhausted, and how medication helped her experience clarity for the first time. Grace emphasizes the importance of authenticity, encouraging others to face their mental health challenges and seek help. Her story highlights the courage to be honest about oneself, build connections with others facing similar struggles, and raise awareness for mental health issues like ADHD.

Takeaways

• 😀 Grace, a 30-year-old freelance fashion stylist, discusses her experience with ADHD and mental health struggles.
• 😀 She reveals feeling disconnected from colleagues due to distractions and low energy, despite putting in full effort at work.
• 😀 Grace was diagnosed with ADHD after visiting a psychiatrist, which led to a shift in understanding her struggles.
• 😀 The first time Grace took ADHD medication, she had a mind-blowing realization of how neurotypicals experience focus and quietness.
• 😀 After starting medication, Grace found it easier to complete tasks and feel motivated, but she acknowledges it’s not a perfect solution.
• 😀 Grace is passionate about mental health and wants to raise awareness, especially about ADHD, to help others feel less alone.
• 😀 Authenticity is a major theme in Grace’s story, as she believes being true to oneself is crucial for personal growth and connections.
• 😀 Grace expresses frustration with people who avoid facing their true selves or challenges, as it leads to wasted potential.
• 😀 She highlights the importance of having real conversations with others who share similar experiences to foster understanding and support.
• 😀 Grace emphasizes that being authentic attracts people who are also genuine and open to learning from each other’s experiences.

Q & A

What motivated Grace to seek help for her struggles at work?

Grace felt that despite putting in 100% effort at work, she was distracted, often falling asleep, and lacked the energy that her younger colleagues had. She realized something was wrong and decided to seek help.

How did Grace feel after starting her medication for ADHD?

Grace described the experience as 'mind-blowing.' For the first time, she felt a sense of calm and focus, realizing how quiet and focused the world felt, similar to how neurotypical people experience it.

What was Grace's emotional response when she joined the community for ADHD?

Grace felt overwhelmed and even secretly cried during her first call with the community. She was relieved and felt a sense of belonging, as she was surrounded by people who wouldn't judge her.

Why does Grace believe authenticity is important?

Grace believes that being authentic is essential for attracting people who are real and relatable. She feels that living authentically leads to more meaningful connections and a better life.

What is Grace's opinion about people who aren't authentic?

Grace feels frustrated with people who don't face their problems and live inauthentically. She believes they waste their lives trying to impress others rather than being true to themselves.

What was the turning point for Grace in terms of understanding her mental health?

The turning point for Grace was when she received her ADHD diagnosis, which explained many of her struggles, such as being easily distracted and lacking energy, and gave her a clearer understanding of herself.

How does Grace describe her work experience before her diagnosis?

Before her diagnosis, Grace felt disconnected from her colleagues, as they seemed to have more energy and productivity. Despite her best efforts, she struggled with distractions and often felt inadequate.

What does Grace hope to achieve by talking about mental health?

Grace wants to raise awareness about mental health, particularly ADHD, and create a space where people with similar struggles can find support and understanding.

How does Grace describe the feeling of clarity after taking her ADHD medication?

Grace compares it to experiencing a newfound peace of mind. She felt like everything became quiet, and she could focus on tasks, which was a stark contrast to how she felt before.

What impact did the ADHD community have on Grace's journey?

The community helped Grace feel seen and supported, allowing her to be more open about her struggles. It gave her a sense of belonging and empowered her to be more authentic in sharing her experiences.