Drowning to Empowered: My Journey

This is me in April of 2020. The world had shut down and aspects of my experience could no longer be masked. This version of me had no idea I had ADHD nor that at least one of her kiddos did as well. She didn’t know that what she was experiencing was overstimulation, executive functioning break downs related to constant emotional regulation of those around her with no supports for her own nervous system. She was home alone most days with an 18 month old and a 5 year old worried, depressed and hopeless at times. The mama guilt, the fear and the overwhelm were so much.

Flash forward 5 years to today…What a wild ride it has been of learning, diagnosis, medication, supports, and healing. I’m probably the healthiest I have ever been physically, mentally and emotionally. I’m masking less, surrounding myself with neurodivergent safe family and friends and experiencing so much passion related to helping others on their journey as well. I’m leaning into things that “light me up” and ready to help others do the same. What I couldn’t know at that time was that there was nothing wrong with me. My brain was just wired differently than those around me and I was not making it up or over exaggerating what felt so hard for me. I can now understand why those endless days felt like hell. But these days also served as a catalyst for what came after.

Along the way I have learned a lot about what works for me as well as what helps those around me. I have supported countless therapy clients discover their own now diagnosed or suspected ADHD and helped with the healing journey related to a lifetime of not knowing why life felt so hard at times and so easy at others. Through all of this I have developed a proprietary system of steps that help Women diagnosed with ADHD later in life move through the process from chaos induced stress and overwhelm toward a more energized and intentional way of living. If this is something that could help you too, please reach out! I have support options at all different price points, and I offer a free stress reduction strategy call for moms with ADHD. Now is the time to start even if life looks like it did for me in April of 2020. I can meet you where you are on this journey.

by Rhonda Estling, LMFT

ADHD Coach and Consultant