This week on the ADHD Big Brother podcast (CLICK HERE to listen to the episode) I talk about getting out of brain paralysis.

Brain Paralysis

Have you ever sat down to work on a thing, maybe meal plan (that was my example from the episode) and when you sat down with your pen and paper your mind just shuts off. Crickets. Nothing. Just a big void.

This happened to me last week and sparked the episode for me.

The insight that I got from this was that when it comes to my brain, intentions don't quite cut it for me...especially if I'm tired.

Sitting down with the intention "I'm meal planning!" is just a declaration of intent. It does not do much to get me moving forward.

How To Get Out Of Paralysis

In this case, the way to get out of brain paralysis is to have a specific question to activate your brain.

Saying "I'm meal planning" puts me catatonic, and I can easily get frustrated by how dumb I feel. Saying, "What 3 meals will I make for dinner this week" gives my brain something to do.

But now I have to think of a bunch of meals, you say? Not when I have a list of 10 meals that I know how to make to pick from!

Brain paralysis can be overcome if we recognize when it's happening, and we start asking questions.

If you are like me, then historically you recognize that you are paralyzed and you use that as an opportunity to remind yourself what a piece of trash you are. Let's change that to asking some good questions and getting our brain to work for us!

Quick question: do you struggle with meal planning, specifically? Should I be putting together a meal planning worksheet? Or do you RULE at meal planning and have it dialed in? Reply to this email and let me know!

The Normie Difference

I want to make a quick distinction between normies and ADHDers. A normie would probably read this email and think, "why are you overcomplicating something as simple as meal planning" whereas for an ADHDer, this is simplifying the complicated process of meal planning.

A normie can go from A to G on a task without needing to consciously work through B, C, D, E, and F. A person with ADHD needs practice at this because while we are on part A, our brain has already put us mentally at F and we become stuck, unable to finish and get to G because we are missing B, C, D, and E. We're funny that way!!

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A Forum Testimonial

One of the earliest members of the forum was Molly, and she struggled with daily external accountability at first. She kept trying to do the thing she said she was going to do, and then couldn't, and then wouldn't, and then would, and then wouldn't again, but she kept at it. Today she hit 30 days IN A ROW of doing the thing she said she was going to do!! THIRTY. DAYS! Here's a testimonial she wrote about the forum:

ADHD Big Brother Forum is where I go to take the mask off. I feel free to be imperfect and flawed without judgement. It's where I go to ask for advice, share accomplishments, rant, and even laugh. I have received nothing but support and encouragement from this beautiful community that Russ has created. With the help of this forum, I have been able to manage challenges that I face on a daily basis, as well as overcome life changing struggles that I've had for years. This group of lovely people has cheered me on through the whole journey and I couldn't be more grateful.
Molly Stinson, member since Feb. 2023

If you know what you want to do, you know how to do it, but you just can't seem to get your shit together enough to do it, then the ADHD Big Brother forum may just be your golden elixir!

​CLICK HERE to check out the guest section of the forum.

​CLICK HERE when you are ready to join!

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