Clutter. It's the silent scream of the modern age. A creeping accumulation of stuff that somehow, insidiously, steals not just our physical space, but our mental bandwidth, too. We’re drowning in it, folks. Drowning in a sea of forgotten birthday presents, impulse buys gathering dust, and that project – that project – we swore we’d finish… someday. Sound familiar? It should. Because this isn’t just about messy desks and overflowing closets. This is about cognitive overload, the subtle but persistent drain on our executive functions that leaves us feeling scattered, overwhelmed, and perpetually behind.

On this episode of Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast, Nikki and Pete dive headfirst into decluttering, exploring the peculiar relationship between our stuff and our sanity. They unpack the surprising statistics – the sheer volume of possessions we rarely use, the days of our lives lost searching for misplaced keys – and dissect the emotional baggage that comes with letting go. It’s a struggle many of us know all too well: the guilt, the shame, the nagging feeling that we should be more organized.

Think of this episode as a cognitive cleanse, a much-needed decluttering of your mental attic. It's a conversation that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the weight of their possessions, the insidious creep of clutter, and the liberating potential of a clean slate. Join Nikki and Pete as they navigate the messy, often emotional, but ultimately rewarding journey of taking control of your space, your time, and your mind.

When you’re ready, join us for the 2025 Declutter Challenge!

Links & Notes

• Support the Show on Patreon
• Dig into the podcast Shownotes Database

• (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast
• (02:21) - Discord! Patreon! More ADHD Fun!
• (03:41) - It's Decluttering Season!

David Greenwood is decoding burnout. In his exploration of this pervasive modern malaise, he's ventured into the very trenches of exhaustion, spoken with those who have stared into the abyss of depleted energy, and conferred with the experts who chart the treacherous landscape of chronic stress.

This week on the show, David sits down with Nikki and Pete to discuss the often-overlooked connection between ADHD and burnout. They explore the surprising statistic that suggests a staggering disparity: up to 93% of adults with ADHD grapple with burnout symptoms, compared to a mere 30% of the general population. What accounts for this chasm? Is it the relentless pursuit of perfection, the constant struggle for self-regulation, or the insidious creep of executive dysfunction that leaves one perpetually playing catch-up?

Together, they dissect the nuanced symptoms of burnout, moving beyond the simplistic notion of mere tiredness. They explore the physical manifestations, the emotional toll, and the mental exhaustion that can leave one feeling utterly depleted. They discuss how the very nature of ADHD, with its challenges in time management, emotional regulation, and sustained focus, can create a perfect storm for burnout to flourish.

David shares his unique perspective, honed through years of experience, offering practical strategies for recognizing the early warning signs and reclaiming control. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between stress and burnout, highlighting the critical need to address the root causes of chronic stress before it escalates into full-blown burnout. He introduces a deceptively simple yet profound tool for self-assessment: What are you complaining about? This seemingly innocuous question, he argues, can unlock a deeper understanding of the stressors that are silently chipping away at our well-being.

Join Nikki, Pete, and David for a conversation that is as insightful as it is practical, as thought-provoking as it is empowering. They offer a roadmap for navigating the complexities of burnout, providing the tools to reclaim energy, focus, and lives.

Links and Notes

• Overcoming Distractions Podcast
• Overcoming Burnout by David Greenwood
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

• (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast
• (00:54) - Support the Show • Become a Patron at Patreon.com/theadhdpodcast
• (02:00) - Introducing David Greenwood
• (03:20) - Exploring Burnout
• (38:02) - Learn More

Have you ever felt like you were living someone else's life? That the carefully constructed path you were on, the one paved with good grades, the "right" job, the societal expectations… it wasn't yours? Kate House did. At 25, she had what she calls a "quarter-life crisis." And what she discovered on the other side of that existential meltdown might just change how you think about living with intention.

Nikki and Pete sit down with Kate, a behavior change specialist and empowerment coach, to dissect the difference between living by default and living by design. It's a conversation that resonates deeply, particularly for those of us with ADHD, whose brains often feel wired for the former. Kate's story is one of transformation, from burnt-out corporate drone to energized entrepreneur, fueled by a simple question: "What's the next right step?"

This isn't about meticulously plotting out the next decade of your life. It's about recognizing the power of small actions, the ripple effect of tiny choices that can shift your trajectory from a life of quiet desperation to one filled with purpose and, dare we say it, sparkle. It's a human story, a universal struggle to break free from the inertia of expectation and embrace the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery.

Kate shares her wisdom gleaned from hosting the Live by Design Podcast, where she explores these very themes with her own community. She helps high-achieving women reclaim their time and energy, setting goals with soul and building sustainable habits. If you're ready to ditch the default and design a life you truly love, this conversation is a must-listen.

Join Nikki, Pete, and Kate for a conversation that will leave you questioning your own defaults and inspire you to take control of the narrative, one small step at a time. Because sometimes, the smallest shift can unlock the greatest transformation.

Links:

• ADHD Discord Community
• Patreon
• Live by Design Podcast
• Kate House Coaching

• (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast
• (01:50) - Support the Show: Become a Patron at Patreon.com/theadhdpodcast
• (03:22) - Introducing Kate House
• (04:04) - The Role of the Empowerment Coach
• (10:28) - Sidebar: Gendered Conversations
• (14:14) - Living By Design
• (32:03) - Goals with Soul