Reflections on a year I didn't plan for
ADHD + dementia, the midlife sandwich generation + joystacks
Dear ones,
It’s been a hot minute since I have posted here.
This year delivered some challenges I hadn’t expected, and some lessons hard learned.
As we speed off into 2024, here are some reflections from a year I didn’t plan for, and links to things I have found useful, maybe you will to!
ADHD diagnosis:
At the start of the year, I got a diagnosis for ADHD.
Like many women of my age, peri-menopause amplified the symptoms, leading me to seek more information and delve into more understanding for how my brain works.
I also went through an Access To Work application with the help of This Is Me agency.
Without the agency advocating on my behalf, I would have found the process incredibly confusing.
I am delighted to have received an award, and I am also now a support worker for them, creating content for lovely clients.
Tools that help me:
1. FLOWN is such a brilliant tool for community + focus, and has helped me to work in a far more effective way with body doubling and accountability.
(Read more about my Flown experience here)
2.Amanda Perry’s ADHD Task Wizard
Although I have a raft of systems to stay organised, this little gem from Amanda Perry is superb. Using the “now” or “not now” lens that ADHD’ers often have with tasks, the ADHD Task Wizard is a simple way to braindump all the tasks in your head, and to know what you are dealing with in the moment.
Grab it here.
Dementia and the Midlife Sandwich Generation
My Mum’s journey with dementia took a big nosedive this year, meaning a LOT of time, energy, love and focus has been spent getting her safe, well, and looked after.
The impact on me and my family has been significant, and juggling work, teens, and dementia care took me to some really challenging places, both physically and mentally.
There is a great deal of unseen and unheard labour that goes into keeping a loved one safe.
My capacity for work projects was greatly diminished for some time.
But my capacity for joy found new levels, not least in the wonderful care home that Mum is now in, singing along with the residents, and treasuring moments of being able to be a daughter once more.
I have been sharing some of this journey in posts on Instagram, and I know from DM’s and comments that there are many people going through this.
If that’s you, I am sending so much love and courage.
Joy Stacking
While life has been doing it’s thing, being mindful of the moments of joy and sharing them on social media in “joy stacks” became a regular habit.
I noticed the ripples happening with other people doing the same, and it turned into an incredible joy stack challenge that arrived beautifully organically.
I will be running another one in January, with more plans afoot, so do stay tuned by joining my Instagram channel.
Other Projects
In a year that also saw some of my biggest clients shift how they work and down size teams, some other projects that arrived unexpectedly were:
Co-writing a book with a dear friend (more on this to be revealed soon, I can’t wait to share more).
Working with another client on disseminating her academic research into practical tools and content. (Check out Holly’s work on Innovation in Careers Development right here).
Opening up my Love, Legacy, Leadership offer (click here to find more - email me on jo@jogifford.co if it’s something you would like to explore)
Useful Apps
Anything that saves time, saves meetings, and makes life easier I am down for.
Read.ai is a favourite for meetings (although the Fathom meeting summaries are excellent).
Loom continues to be a super useful tool in creating explainer videos, screenshares, and bite sized micro learning videos.
I love this visual summary - and 264 meetings eliminated? Brilliant!There is so much more to unpack from 2023, and I look forward to time off to go for Wintery walks, hot chocolates, and to journal my way through it.
Sending SO much love - and whatever human connection has looked like for you this year, I would love to hear.
Jo x