ADHD & Stressful Days: How Gratitude and Perspective Can Help You Reset

How perspective, permission and gratitude can shift a stressful day for a neurodivergent brain

Some days don’t just start on the wrong foot—they limp.

Today it was broken watches, misbehaving cars, dodgy cash machines and a sat nav that decided I must be on a bike.(Reader: I was not on a bike.)

It felt like everything that could go wrong, did. And early in the day, I could feel the tension building. The tight chest. The irritability. The rising sense of “here we go again.”

And if you’re neurodivergent—ADHD, Autistic, highly sensitive—you probably know that feeling well.

When Small Things Feel Like Too Much

Here’s the thing most people don’t see:

It’s not just that the watch stopped working. It’s not just that the sat nav took me on a wild goose chase. It’s the mental load of trying to adapt again and again and again.

Executive functioning challenges—something many of us with ADHD or Autism deal with—mean we often rely on tools like watches, schedules, and routines to anchor us. So when one piece falls out of place? Everything can feel shakier than it “should.”

And when our nervous system is already at capacity, even small inconveniences can feel catastrophic.

The Breaking Point... and Then Something Shifted

A short check-in call ran over by 90 minutes. My body was tense, my patience thin.But then—something shifted.

A chiropractor appointment gave my nervous system a chance to release some of that stored-up stress.I came home to a quiet house, blasted music, made a ridiculously good dinner, and—somewhere in the middle of all that—I remembered:

I’m okay.

Gratitude, But Make It Real

This wasn’t toxic positivity. I wasn’t pretending everything was perfect.

But I could see it differently:

• That cash machine issue? I still have money in the bank.

• My broken watch? I’ll replace it—eventually.

• My sat nav meltdown? Weirdly funny in hindsight.

• My husband sorting our daughter so I could look after my body? A small, huge thing.

• The sunshine, the breeze through the door, the music? Magic.

Sometimes perspective doesn’t come in the moment.Sometimes it comes later, when things go still. When the noise quiets just enough for you to feel grateful and exhausted.

Why This Matters for Neurodivergent People

For many of us, days like this feel overwhelming not because we’re dramatic or disorganised—but because our brains are constantly working overtime to manage the invisible.

ADHD and Autism can make:

• Transitions harder

• Small changes feel huge

• Emotional regulation slower

• Executive functioning unpredictable

That’s not failure. That’s neurology.

So if you’re hard on yourself after a day that felt like “too much,” I see you.

If you need reminders that your overwhelm makes sense, and that your capacity fluctuates, you’re not alone.

Coaching Doesn’t “Fix” This—But It Can Help You Navigate It

When you work with a coach who understands neurodivergence, the goal isn’t to become someone else. It’s to:

• Understand your brain

• Build support systems that actually work for you

• Learn how to recover faster when things unravel

• And let go of the guilt that says you should be handling more

Today was chaotic. And it was beautiful. And it reminded me that self-compassion isn't a luxury—it’s a survival tool.

Ready to Feel Less Alone?

You don’t need to hit rock bottom to ask for support. You don’t have to do this on your own.I offer one part-funded coaching place at a reduced rate for those who need support but may find access difficult.

👉 Join the part-funded coaching waitlist

👉 Book a free intro call

👉 Read more about ADHD coaching here

📝 A Note on Language and Perspective

This post is written from my lived experience as a late-discovered ADHDer, mum, and neurodivergent coach. I don’t speak for all neurodivergent people—and your story may look different to mine—but you’re welcome here, exactly as you are.