We ARE the Professionals.

Originally published 19th September 2023

I'm off for a little jaunt today. Few days away with mates. At least 3 out of the 4 of us are NeuroDivergent. We are a Counsellor. Research Scientist. Youth Worker and HR Person.

We normally have shenanigans between us. Stuff going on. Stress. Hopefully not all at the same time.

Today is my day of stress. Not big stress. But I thought I'd share what being ADHD and Autistic can look like.

The bigger picture is that yesterday I delivered training to a bunch of Mental Health First Aiders. I bloody loved it. They seemed to like it. No one fell asleep.

Yesterday evening, after being on a happy high, I slumped low. I recovered from the sensory overwhelm of having been excited and hot during the presentation.

Being hot is a sensory trigger. I'm proper grumpy when hot. Except that being excited trumped feeling hot so I couldn't tell I was hot until I was way too hot. Interoception issues means I can't read my body cues at the best of times.

So yesterday evening I was tired and low. I never understood why I'd feel low after something so fab, but nowadays I expect it. I ride that wave of yuk.

So I didn't pack for my trip.

The night before that I was meant to freeze a homecooked stew I was to take on my little break. A group shared meal. But I'd been preppng for the presentation so the stew had been forgotten. So last night, a bit low and flat, I prepped and put on, the stew. The plan was 'slow cook for a few hours'. This morning I remembered the stew was still stewing. 13 hours later. It was a bit dry so I've added a bit more water.

I now realise I've not got enough stew. In my rush I'd not really engaged my brain to consider there are 4 of us going away. So I need bread to offer alongside the tiny offering of stew. So now I need to go to the shop for the bread.

I wanted to dye my hair but didn't have the colour I wanted so there's now 2 things to get from the shop. However, getting dressed for the shop to then get undressed (to dye my hair) seemed a waste of time. And I remembered I had in fact bought bread to go with the stew anyway, but had forgotten I had. I also found a spare purple toner hair colour I had left over from months ago. No shop needed. Yay.

Multitasking whilst hair is changing colour, I started packing and transferred the stew pot into a big bag. The stew pot tipped a bit as I carried it in the bag to the hallway ready to put into my friends car when she gets here to collect me. So now there's even less stew and I've had to clean the pot, throw the bag, get a new bag.

Discovered that the friend who is driving is delayed with her own stuff so I'm going to drive to our destination on my own. Friend will join us a bit later. Other 2 come from a different direction.

I pack the van with all my stuff. Masses because it's the UK and every possible season needs catering for. So off to petrol station (obviously Petrol gauge shows almost empty) to get petrol. Key snapped. 1 end stuck in the ignition. I'm now sat on my driveway wondering why things are not simple.

Agreed that the delayed Friend will now pick me up when she leaves later. So I've taken all my stuff out from the van back to the hallway. Now I'm waiting. I'd forgotten and not planned having lunch, so I'm now sat on my sofa eating a thrown together lunch.

Yes this is a lunch suitable for an indecisive person. And a cup of tea because its 3pm and I've not had a drink today other than a sip of a cup of tea, with my meds this morning. That tea went cold, undrunk. Yes this is me on ADHD Meds.

Yes I'm a Professional holding down a self employed job. Professionals can be NeuroDivergent and a bit messy and still do a good job. But there's a reason I'm a Counsellor but not a Coach. Being organised is not my thing.

How is your day going? Better than mine?

Ps toast and tea now cold.

PPs just remembered the stew was meant to have dumplings but I forgot.

Picture description: plate of toast, quarter cream cheese, quarter marmite, quarter choc spread, quarter peanut butter an jam. Another pic, face shot of me, white woman, short blonde hair clipped fringe. Black jumper with NeuroDiversity University logo. Selfie taken just before going to Presentation yesterday. Picture: slow cooker pot, view from above, pot is in a bag. Last pic, close up of a key fob, end missing.