Julie Legg speaks with Dani Donovan, CEO/founder of The Anti-Boring Project. Dani is known worldwide for her ADHD comic illustrations.
Dani is a graphic designer, content creator, public speaker and now author of ‘The Anti-Planner: How to get sh*t done when you don’t feel like it‘ that deals with procrastination and all the emotions that hinder us from doing those projects and chores that don’t excite us. With tools that address procrastination, perfectionism, and executive dysfunction, her work empowers ADHDers and their loved ones while fostering empathy and connection across diverse communities. Dani’s ADHD illustrations feature in THE MISSING PIECE: A Women’s Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ADHD Journey: Diagnosed as a college freshman, Dani’s ADHD was initially missed due to stereotypes and academic success. The diagnosis came during a consultation for depression, where communication quirks and executive dysfunction were highlighted.
- The Impact of ADHD Comics: Dani’s comics resonate deeply with other ADHDers, portraying the emotional and practical struggles of ADHD. The first comic, depicting ADHD storytelling, went viral, helping others feel seen and understood while educating loved ones about the condition.
- Creating The Anti-Planner: The book addresses executive dysfunction with creative, emotion-driven tools to help ADHDers manage procrastination and perfectionism. Structured around specific feelings and challenges, it provides strategies beyond traditional to-do lists, focusing on gamification and self-compassion.
- Advocacy Through Public Speaking: Dani bridges the gap between clinical understanding and lived ADHD experiences. Her talks cover ADHD-friendly design, workplace accommodations, and empowering mental health professionals with practical insights.
- Wider Reach and Influence: The work extends beyond ADHD, supporting those with depression, burnout, and executive dysfunction. Her content also helps non-ADHD individuals foster empathy and understanding for loved ones with ADHD.
- Future Projects: Plans include expanding The Anti-Planner content digitally, developing supplementary resources, and creating an app to make tools more accessible.
LINKS
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