January 2, 2025
Here’s my list of what I’m exploring this week.
FEATURED ARTICLE
How to Stop Worrying!
The 5×5 Rule
I was reading an article online and came upon this gem:
Whatever unpleasant situation you are undergoing, applying the 5×5 Rule is to simply ask one question:
Will this matter or affect me in 5 years? If not, don’t spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it.
Just about everyone I know with ADHD has a tendency to worry. In fact, my friend, Dr. Ned Hallowell, wrote an entire book on the topic:
(Check it out on Amazon- HERE)
Why do we worry so much? My guess is that we don’t trust ourselves to make the right decisions. Impulsivity can pull us in the wrong direction. Insecurity…that, too. Our histories are often filled with poor decisions due to ADHD. And then there’s the good chance that we have anxiety in our mix. Worry is a form of anxiety.
We also have a tendency to hold on to hurts or perceived hurts. Dr. William Dodson coined the term Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). I wrote about this in my last blog.
Back to worrying.
There’s so much more to this but I do believe that the intensity of this can often be seen with ADHD. We’ve lost confidence in ourselves. We’ve made many mistakes in life (who hasn’t?). We are afraid of our own judgment. I chalk this up to having grown up with ADHD and the damage it can cause on self-esteem and confidence.
So let’s all try the 5×5 rule. I know I will as I tend to ruminate and worry about things in general. In fact, that’s another reason I believe it can be fueled by our ADHD:
Our brain is always seeking stimulation. Ruminating and worrying takes a lot of thinking energy. Brain stimulation. The hungry ADHD brain.
Try the 5×5 rule. Today. I’m sure there’s something bothering you, taking up your mental energy at this very moment. Tell us about it in the comment below.
Terry’s Top Picks
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Terry Recommends
My Favorite Planner
I’ve used this planner – no joke- for over 20 years!
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Website: www.ADDconsults.com
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Wait: Like this article? Please leave your thoughts, resources, hacks, etc. in the comment section below.
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