ADHD Awareness Month 2024

It’s worldwide ADHD Awareness Month and it will come as no surprise that I’m ‘all in’ with this campaign! Every day this month I’ll be raising awareness, celebrating difference, highlighting challenges, and busting a few ADHD myths.

October 31: Thank you for your support this #adhdawarenessmonth2024 … thanks for sticking with me! Let’s not limit our learning and conversation to one month a year though! X Julie
October 30: While we may share similar challenges and display similar traits, our ADHD journey, as with our undiagnosed past, is as unique as can be. So whether you think you may be low-functioning, high-functioning or somewhere in between, know that self-awareness is key. However, the importance of an ADHD diagnosis? Being able to identify as a zebra, not a failed horse with wonky stripes, means you can learn from other zebras, find your dazzle and run free in the knowing you belong.
October 29: Oh yes! We ADHDers are exceptional at over-thinking (and under-thinking when it comes to impulsivity, incidents and accidents). While it can seem like a blessing and a curse all rolled into one, our brains are unique and wired to consider a plethora of thoughts simultaneously – some are ‘sticky’, some go around in loops, some are pure off-the-wall genius. That’s how we roll. Embrace it. Work with it. Celebrate it!
October 28: This is Angela and I in my kitchen this afternoon. We’d been chatting like we’d known each-other for years, but I met Angela approx 30 minutes beforehand when she knocked on my door! Long-story short: Angela is from Sydney, had read THE MISSING PIECE, and wanted to call by and say hello when she was back in New Zealand. Both diagnosed in our 50s it was an absolute joy to swap stories, overtalk and overshare! Angela shared a lovely quote by philosopher Søren Kierkegaard “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” So true.
October 27: History tells us that the ratio for ADHD diagnoses boys-to-girls is 3:1 yet the odds of having ADHD is more likely 1:1. This is me around 6-7, the age when ADHD diagnoses are said to most typically occur. This photo was taken in the 70’s however, long before ADHD was recognised in ways that we understand it today. Who would have suspected little old me? Was I inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive? If I didn’t show it outwardly, I certainly felt it inwardly – but it was all I ever knew. Almost 50 years later … here’s to all the women diagnosed as adults. You are not alone.
October 26: At times it can be too easy for those of us with ADHD to berate ourselves over incidents and accidents rather than celebrate personal successes. ‘Take the win’ encourages self-acknowledgement of positive outcomes, thoughts and perceptions. It exercises mindfulness, boosts our dopamine levels and gives us a well-earned sense of pride. It can be fun too. I usually call mine out with a ‘whoop whoop’ regardless who may be in ear-shot.
October 25: A long Labour weekend ahead of us means (hopefully) some extra downtime to recharge our ADHD batteries. Every ADHD brain recharges in different ways. The method doesn’t matter, but the outcome does. Re-balancing our energy levels helps us manage our most challenging ADHD traits. For those who don’t have a great awareness of ADHD it may seem like we are being anti-social or even selfish. But those who do know us well will understand that ‘me time’, even for a short time, will allow us to spring back with renewed energy.
October 24: ADHD affects us all differently. I’m running an anonymous survey and I’d LOVE your input if you can spare 3-5 minutes – it’s about how ADHD impacts individuals (all genders) in the workplace; Including challenges, strengths, workplace culture, and job satisfaction. Thank you in anticipation! https://julielegg.nz/survey/
October 23: When at the start of a very personal ADHD journey it can feel overwhelming and isolating. There are incidents and accidents, thoughts and feelings, and challenges that you may not have told a soul about, past or present. Hearing stories and experiences of what others have gone through helps to validate our own and it also provides perspective. Understanding that you are not alone and not at odds with the world single-handedly, is mighty.
October 22: I talk with Raewyn Heays, national co-ordinator at ADHD New Zealand. They are a self-funded organisation and spearhead for positive change on behalf of the ADHD community. They also facilitate a large range of webinars, event and courses on various ADHD topics – dealing with anxiety, teens, parenting, embracing the chaos, and so much more. To listen or watch the interview, head over to ADHDifference.nz and wrap your ears around the latest episode.
October 21: A day in the life … Yes, my kitchen bench-top may look chaotic but I have a plan to chop, freeze, dehydrate, preserve, eat – in no particular order. My priority is to prepare the produce before wilts beyond recognition, not to have a tidy kitchen. Not a scrap will be left to waste. I have my own personal deadline, but not one bestowed upon me. To me, this is not mess. It is organised chaos and it fills my soul.
October 20: For many folk with ADHD, including myself, we can have a challenging time with time. When we’re focused on something of interest we can forget time exists, or we can underestimate how long it will take us to complete a task. In the moment, we don’t mind a bit – we are fully engaged and our dopamine levels are high. The butterfly effect however is that we may lose ourselves in ‘the now’ and forget to eat, sleep, do other tasks, go to the bathroom or …. [fill in the blank]! While situations like this can result in amazing headway in a project, the same time-blindness can be as easily achieved doom-scrolling through social media. “Where HAS the day gone?” is a question we ask ourselves often.
October 19: Have you heard the term ‘ADHD tax’? It’s the ‘cost’ that folks with ADHD pay, a repercussion of something ADHD related. It could be small, it could be monumental. Most of the time it is just annoying and inconvenient. It could involve the extra effort one goes to, or the time it takes, or other ramifications. Example: the other day I visited my parents, a 1.5 hour drive away, to bring homemade soup for lunch. 25 minutes into the drive (after ensuring my car was full of petrol, I left on time, and even had washed the breakfast dishes) I realised that soup was at home in the fridge. Do I continue my journey, arrive on time, without promised lunch? Or, do I return home, pick up soup, and arrive 1 hour late? Either way, it was an ADHD tax. Soup was delicious.
October 18: While some ADHD brains are avid readers, despite best intentions others struggle to stay focused, often having to read and re-read paragraphs and pages (it can be hard work even). I was determined to make women’s experiences of an adult ADHD accessible to everyone, so was delighted to have been able to narrate and put together the audiobook. It’s been downloaded world-wide and I’m really humbled that it has reached so many. Thank you. Welcome to our world.
October 17: I write about addiction and self-medicating in THE MISSING PIECE. Once diagnosed and prescribed with ADHD stimulant medication correctly, individuals may feel less inclined to self-medicate with or abuse non-prescribed drugs or substances as they may have done in their undiagnosed past. This highlights the gap between the diagnosed and undiagnosed, those receiving prescribed treatment and those at risk for developing a drug abuse problem. Isaac Davison shares in this NZ Herald article more about a recent NZ Drug Foundation report recommendations.
October 16: Another myth-busted. ADHD only being a childhood thing was 1980’s thinking! That is certainly not that case, now more research and studies have come to light. It is thought that some traits may appear to diminish with age (particularly hyperactivity). As ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all disorder, each individual will experience different challenges in different ways.
October 15: I’m happy to bring to you a great interview with Ashley Cairns from A Change for Better . The organisation offers online ADHD assessments with psychologists, throughout New Zealand, low wait times and a potential subsidy (through their ACFB Fund) for those that meet their criteria. It’s a fascinating chat. Watch on YouTube or head to ADHDifference for podcast options.
October 14: Procrastination is a big hindrance for many living with ADHD. We know the importance of a task, we appreciate at times the urgency, but often we are overwhelmed with the thought of starting something mammoth … or of little interest for that matter. It’s such a juxtaposition when we can impulsively start numerous other tasks, yet stumble on others. Dopamine plays a huge part in starting and achieving tasks. Interest drives us; fascination, enthusiasm. Making a task ‘fun’ is key, or breaking down big tasks into smaller chunks, finding dopamine hits/rewards in breaks along the way.
October 13: Whether we have ADHD or not, it is human nature to want to be loved and accepted for who we truly are, without people-pleasing or masking. And in the essence of this quote, those who matter to us (the non-judgemental folk, those that find joy in our joy) are keepers, they’re our kind of people. Yay them, and yay us!
October 12: It’s #adhdawarenessmonth2024 and #bookshopdayNZ and I personally wanted to thank independent bookstores up and down the country who have supported THE MISSING PIECE and thereby helping to raise awareness of ADHD in adult women. A special thank you to Matakana Village Books (Matakana), Time Out Bookstore (Mt Eden), Paradox Books (Devonport), Poppies Hamilton (Hamilton CBD), Pennys Bookstore (Chartwell), The Village Bookshop (Greytown), Page & Blackmore (Nelson), Emmas at Oxford (Oxford), Scorpio Books (Christchurch).
October 11: There are so many myths and misconceptions about ADHD, including this one. It is upsetting for many women to hear this particular throw-away remark as it trivializes what it’s like to live with ADHD; the real challenges faced, and incidents and accidents experienced along the way that have greatly impacted their lives. Maybe the myth stems from a lack of understanding, maybe they are undiagnosed ADHD themselves, who knows … but the myth needs correcting. ‘Awareness is Key’, this year’s slogan for #adhdawarenessmonth2024
October 10: 1 in 20 people have ADHD in New Zealand. The 5% estimation dates back to 2020. I would love to have more updated stats given the skyrocketing number of adult diagnoses in the past few years! Something else to ponder during this #adhdawarenessmonth2024.
October 9: ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all disorder. Day-dreaming, zoning out and a creative imagination plays out differently for everyone. Spending a lot of time outdoors, my mind drifts to the sky … and low and behold, cloud creatures appear several times a day. I love the process and giggle at the momentary hilarity of what I see, until it morphs into a non-descriptive mass of cotton-balls.
October 8: ADHDifference (with yours truly hosting, alongside hubby Jel) has a new podcast out today on ADHD & Impulsivity. It was a fun topic (as you can tell) with plenty to ponder – in the workplace, impulse buying and over-committing, to name a few. #adhdawarenessmonth2024 Listen your way https://adhdifference.nz/e23-impulsivity/
October 7: Many adults with ADHD will have implemented strategies, or creative ADHD life hacks, to achieve what neurotypicals do with ease. It helps make tasks more fun, purposeful, and provides a sense of achievement in instances were some are too overwhelming to tackle (aka paralysis by analysis). This is my personal approach!
October 6:Practicing mindfulness is a great ADHD hack – being at one with nature, being in the moment, clearing your mind of distraction and strange segways. Ooops! Often best intentions don’t go to plan. My social media post tells the story. One minute out enjoying the chickens cooing, taking inspiration and banging out a riff on the guitar!
October 5: Having ADHD can be challenging – an invisible disorder in many ways in so far as it isn’t easy for observers to understand what’s going on in our heads. If only they could step inside our brains for a few minutes! It’s #adhdawarenessmonth2024 and @danidonovan illustrates perfectly how some simple tasks can seem insurmountable at times.
October 4: While people with ADHD can experience extreme impatience in a manner of different ways and environments, here are the moments Rhonda experiences it most. An excerpt from THE MISSING PIECE: ‘My impatience is extreme – red lights, traffic jams, walking behind slow people, queues, anything without forward momentum.’ [Rhonda, diagnosed with ADHD at 51]
October 3: It’s always fun to chat with folks on the other side of the world, this time as a guest with UK-based ADHD coach, Laurence Pratt from ADHD Goals. He was keen to hear about THE MISSING PIECE. There was a lot to cover – misconceptions, mindfulness, navigating relationships, ADHD community, promoting ADHD awareness and advocacy here in New Zealand. Watch the interview here.
October 2:ADHD awareness comes in many forms. THE MISSING PIECE was written for women on their ADHD journey and for loved-ones, work colleagues, friends and neighbours, to better understand how ADHD affects and impacts our daily lives.  Feedback from Simon: ‘An insightful read from someone who is on their journey. It has certainly helped me gain a much better understanding of our daughter. Good read for family members and friends.’
October 1:To start as I mean to continue, here’s our latest ADHDifference podcast all about the ‘Awareness is Key’ drive throughout October. #adhdawarenessmonth2024. Click on image below for options to listen to podcast or mull over the transcript, or head over to YouTube to view.