Description

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD and boredom – despite having a busy mind, we still can experience boredom in various situations, often to our surprise.   
 
They chat about their personal experience of boredom in ADHD, describing it as a struggle with motivation rather than simply having nothing to do. They discuss “trapped boredom,” which arises in situations with little control, and “freedom boredom,” where multiple options fail to spark interest. Both types can heighten frustration, procrastination, or impulsivity, and often require specific coping strategies.  

KEY TAKEAWAYS

•  Understanding Boredom in ADHD: Boredom isn’t just about having nothing to do—it’s about a lack of motivation or focus. It can stem from being stuck in a situation (trapped boredom) or having too many options but no drive (freedom boredom).
• Challenges of Boredom: 'Trapped boredom' can trigger frustration, zoning out, or distractions like fidgeting. 'Freedom boredom' often results from low dopamine, making it hard to start or enjoy activities and leading to guilt or procrastination.
• Strategies to Manage Boredom: Tools like fidget toys, doodling, or breaking tasks into smaller chunks can help, along with rest as self-care or revisiting old hobbies to spark interest.
• Perspective on Boredom: Recognize that boredom is natural, not unique to ADHD, and can sometimes be an opportunity for rest or rediscovery.

LINKS

• Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024)
• ADHDifference - Instagram

 
 Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you if you have inspiring ADHD experience/journey you'd like to share. We are looking for strategies that work for you, uplifting stories of overcoming adversity, or celebrating success.

Did you find this podcast helpful? Please subscribe if you'd like to hear more, or share with friends/family if you think there's a topic that may provide some insight. Our mission is to keep the ADHD conversation flowing and support each other.

Send us a text

Thanks for listening.

• Visit ADHDifference.nzto find past episodes, videos, links, or to say hello!
• Get social with us on Instagram