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When I decided to organise the ADHD Extravaganza in Ely, one of the things that was important to me was that the event should have a purpose beyond simply gathering people together for an afternoon. I wanted it to raise awareness of ADHD, bring people together, give local businesses and speakers an opportunity to share what they do, and ultimately raise some money for a charity doing important work for people affected by ADHD. That is why I chose ADHD UK as the charity to ben

ADHD is often associated with children and younger adults, but there are plenty of people who reach their 50s, 60s or beyond before they start wondering whether ADHD could explain some of the difficulties they have experienced throughout their lives. This is particularly interesting because someone who has reached this stage of life may reasonably ask themselves: "If I've managed all these years, why would I need a diagnosis now?" The answer is that managing something for dec

I'm really pleased to be bringing something a little different to Ely this September. On Saturday 19th September, I'll be hosting the ADHD Extravaganza at The Lighthouse on Lynn Road. It's an afternoon celebrating neurodiversity, bringing people together and giving some brilliant neurodivergent local businesses an opportunity to share what they do. What can you expect? There will be plenty going on during the afternoon, including an ADHD talk from me, ADHD coach and teacher M

My wife and I went to Poets House in Ely at the weekend and had a wonderful time together. We love our children - obviously - but sometimes you just need to spend some time alone together. It is very easy for life to become centred around your children, particularly when they are young. There are school runs, clubs, meals, bedtime routines, work, and all the other everyday things that need doing, and before you realise it, you can have gone weeks without having any proper tim

When someone receives a diagnosis of ADHD, medication is often one of the main things they consider. I have ADHD myself but chose not to take medication - it is a personal decision, and I think it is important to do what is best for you. From speaking with my clients over the years, it is clear that everyone's experience with ADHD medication tends to be quite different. Some find it transformative for their focus and impulse control, whereas others struggle with side effects

Technology is a bit of a double-edged sword when you have ADHD. My phone can remind me about appointments and my next clients, store reminders, set alarms, and make sure I don't forget things I would otherwise probably forget. However, it can also completely steal my attention. I can pick up my phone to check one thing and, a few minutes later, find myself reading up on potoo bird mouth for the next hour. If you've never seen a potoo bird, I can assure you that this was a ver

There are some places where you arrive, take a look around and immediately realise that you are going to remember the view. Castillo de la Muela in Consuegra, Toledo, is one of those places for me. The climb up to the castle was certainly hot work in the Spanish sunshine, but once we got up there and I saw the view across La Mancha, it was pretty easy to forget about the walk up. A castle with more than 800 years of history The castle sits high on the Cerro Calderico and has

Most people with ADHD know what it feels like to mask, although some people will experience it much more than others. If you aren't sure what it actually looks like, then carry on reading below.. What Does ADHD Masking Look Like? When you're around other people, it can feel as though you are performing rather than simply being yourself. You might find yourself concentrating hard on looking as though you are listening intently, even when your thoughts have drifted elsewhere. S

I recently came across a Batman statue and couldn't resist recreating the classic superhero pose. Batman: "We need a plan" Me: "Absolutely. I've got 17 of them" Batman: "Excellent. Which one are we starting?" Me: *Panics in ADHD* It gets a laugh because there's more truth in it than many people realise. One of the biggest misconceptions about ADHD is that people simply don't plan ahead, when in reality, many of the people I work with are excellent at coming up with ideas, res

One thing I've been working on over the last few years is learning Spanish. My wife is Spanish, and her family don't speak English, so learning the language isn't just a hobby. It's important to me that I can communicate with them, even if my conversations are still fairly simple. I wouldn't describe myself as a natural linguist. Learning another language has taken time, patience, and plenty of repetition, but I've also learnt a lot about how an ADHD brain approaches learning

One question I'm often asked is whether being self-employed suits someone with ADHD. Speaking from my own experience, I'd say yes... but with warnings! I genuinely wouldn't want to do anything else. I love meeting new people, delivering talks, coaching my clients, and having the freedom to shape my own working week. As a parent, that flexibility is invaluable and is one of the biggest benefits of running my own business. However, there is another side to self-employment that

When people think about ADHD, they often imagine someone becoming overwhelmed when things go wrong. In reality, many adults with ADHD describe the exact opposite. I've always found that when a genuine crisis happens, I become calm, focused, and surprisingly good at solving the problem in front of me. It's something I've experienced personally and something I've heard from several of my coaching clients over the years. The interesting part is that the same person who can stay

Family holidays are often something we look forward to for months; spending quality time together, exploring new places, and taking a break from work can be a welcome change. However, if you have ADHD, holidays can also bring a unique set of challenges that people don't always see. While everyone else may be looking forward to relaxing, you might already be thinking about remembering passports, booking confirmations, medication, chargers, packing for every possible weather fo

Most of us expect big decisions to feel difficult. Choosing a career, moving house, or deciding whether to accept a new job naturally takes time and thought. What often surprises people with ADHD is that the smallest decisions can sometimes feel just as overwhelming. When Every Choice Competes for Your Attention You sit down to work and immediately wonder which task should come first. You open the fridge and can't decide what to eat. You know you need to make a phone call, bu

Many adults with ADHD tell me they know exactly what they need to do, but if they can't do it properly, they don't do it at all - and not because they don't care, but because often, they've set such a high standard in their own mind that anything less feels pointless. What Does an All or Nothing Mindset Look Like? You decide there's no point going for a brisk walk because you can't fit in a full workout. You leave the housework because you don't have time to clean every room.

Have you ever had an appointment at 3pm and found yourself achieving very little before then? You know there's plenty of time to get things done, yet starting anything feels surprisingly difficult. Instead, you find yourself checking the clock, thinking about the appointment, or worrying you'll lose track of time and miss it altogether. Many adults with ADHD describe this experience, often referring to it as waiting mode. Although waiting mode isn't an official clinical term,

Many people assume that if you enjoy spending time with other people, you'll come home feeling refreshed and energised, but for many adults with ADHD, that isn't always the case. You might have had a lovely afternoon with friends, attended a family gathering, or spent the day in meetings at work, only to get home feeling completely exhausted. Some people even find they need the rest of the evening, or the following day, to recover. That doesn't mean you don't enjoy being arou

One thing many of my clients say is: "I've been busy all day, but I don't feel like I have actually achieved anything" If you've ever ended the day feeling mentally exhausted despite having very little to show for it, you're certainly not alone! The reality is that being busy and being productive are not the same thing, and for many people with ADHD, the difference often comes down to executive functioning rather than motivation or time management. Why ADHD Can Make You Feel

For many people, receiving an ADHD diagnosis feels like crossing the finish line. After months, or sometimes years, of waiting, they finally have an explanation for why everyday life has often felt more challenging than it seemed to be for other people. The diagnosis can bring relief, validation and a sense that things finally make sense - however, what many people are not prepared for is what happens next. Diagnosis Is the Beginning, Not the End An ADHD diagnosis can explain

Many people look forward to warm weather, but if you have ADHD, you may find your symptoms become harder to manage during a heatwave. Feeling more distracted, emotionally reactive or mentally exhausted isn't unusual, and you're certainly not alone. While everyone can struggle in extreme temperatures, the combination of ADHD and heat can make everyday tasks feel much more difficult. Why does heat affect ADHD? When we're too hot, our bodies have to work harder to regulate tempe