How mindfulness helps me stay grounded and self-compassionate while living with ADHD
“I didn’t think that I was the sort of person that could sit down and meditate or that I had the focus for it. It’s wonderful to discover that about yourself.”
Emily Kenneally, a writer for a mental health charity supporting educators and a creative workshop facilitator, shares her journey with mindfulness and how it helps her stay grounded and self-compassionate, while living with ADHD.
This blog post is based on an interview with Tamsin Bishton using Emily’s words. It’s part of a blog series “My journey with mindfulness” edited by Tamsin.
How I came to mindfulness
I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder in my twenties and discovered origami as a calming hobby. I began running origami workshops for people of all ages and I got really curious about why engaging with this activity was helping us. After lots of conversations, I realised that it was a kind of mindfulness. Making origami asks you to engage your senses and be in the present moment. It is also an activity that encourages connection and thoughtful conversations.
I read about mindfulness and the different kinds of practices that you can do, and began listening to guided meditations. But it was challenging practicing alone, so I joined an eight-week Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy course at the Sussex Mindfulness Centre.
The group was supportive and it felt accessible and practical. I learned techniques I could use daily, both short and long, which helped me notice emotions at stressful moments and recognise unhelpful patterns of behaviour. Over time, I began to feel safer in my body. I could pay attention to my breathing, once a source of anxiety, which became something I could return to for steadiness.
I discovered that mindfulness isn’t just solitary; the guidance of the teacher and the shared experiences within the group were essential in helping me experience the benefits.
Learning mindfulness enhanced my resilience in daily life, inspiring me to share its benefits with others. I decided to train to teach Adapted Mindfulness-based Interventions, to support individuals who may find longer practices or the traditional eight-week programme challenging.
Personal benefits of mindfulness
Mindfulness helps ground me, more than I ever anticipated. I feel more comfortable in my skin. I didn’t think that I was the sort of person that could sit down and meditate or that I had the focus for it. But I found, little by little, I have been able to build that up. It’s wonderful discovering that about yourself.
I was diagnosed with ADHD not long ago. There’s a misconception that people with ADHD can’t concentrate. Often, for me, it’s quite the opposite! I can hyperfocus on things that matter to me, work for example, and I really struggle to pull myself away.
Mindfulness helps interrupt my periods of hyperfocus and puts me back in touch with my body. It helps me ask: what am I feeling? What is my body trying to tell me? How can I support myself? When it comes to meditation, I can do it, it’s just that I do it in smaller steps and build it into my life in different ways.
ADHD often coexists with other conditions. A hypermobility disorder affects all my joints, causing chronic, daily pain. Mindfulness helps me live alongside the pain by helping me be compassionate and accepting, so my emotional suffering is less. It also helps me to listen to my body, rest with less guilt and be active when I can, which impacts on the severity of the pain.
Mindfulness isn’t a panacea, but it does make my difficulties feel more manageable.
Work related benefits and secondary benefits
Since completing the training, I’ve been able to continue to develop my creative workshops and incorporate mindfulness approaches. It has also helped inform the mental wellbeing resources I write for educators. I’m now developing my mindfulness teaching to support people with ADHD and those in workplaces, who may benefit from engaging in shorter practices. You can learn about my ‘Mindfulness with ADHD’ and workplace sessions here. Or you can join a creative origami workshop here.
Encouragement for anyone considering trying mindfulness
A few mindful moments can shape your day, your choices and how you take care of yourself. It’s not mystical; it’s rooted in everyday experiences and may help you to navigate life’s challenges.
Mindfulness is a word that’s thrown around a lot now. To truly gain the benefits and understanding, I encourage you to learn through a fully trained practitioner and within a supportive group, where insights are deepened and sustained.
Join a free taster
If you’re interested in learning mindfulness for yourself, then please do come along to one of Sussex Mindfulness Centre’s taster sessions. They’re free. You get to experience a practice as well as hear a little bit more about what’s involved in the various mindfulness courses that we offer. Most of our courses are online and can be booked by individuals.
And if you would like to share the magic you can join a free online teacher training information session. Or if you’d like to find out more about becoming an advocate check out our Advocates page.