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This week, we reside collectively Ricky Idowu She is utilizing her platform to advocate for ADHD. She lets us in on her life, background and journey. take pleasure in!
Hey Rachel, how are you at this time?
I carried out properly at this time. I am presently on trip within the US, visiting household in a number of states and beginning to go to new locations on my bucket listing.
Astonishing! Inform us just a little about your background
I used to be born and raised in London to Nigerian dad and mom. I’m the center baby and undergo from center baby syndrome, 2 years other than my two sisters. Rising up, I had as a lot power as a child. I am at all times exterior rollerblading, enjoying with the neighbors, and am an avid gamer. In class I used to be at all times drawn to topics that left room for creativeness/interpretation, akin to sociology, media research and enterprise. My academics would inform me that I had the reward of gab, that I used to be charismatic, and that I had the eye span of a goldfish. In 2016, I studied overseas for 2 years on the College of Hertfordshire, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Worldwide Enterprise. Throughout my research, I studied overseas for a 12 months on the College of North Carolina at Wilmington and for a semester on the College of Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. I additionally accomplished a 6-month internship in a US firm in Barcelona.
Inform us just a little about your profession
I’ve spent most of my profession working within the UK Civil Service in a spread of roles together with procurement, contract administration, industrial and coverage. I are usually drawn to high-pressure and high-profile roles that give me quite a lot of duty and allow me to work together with a spread of stakeholders. I not work for the UK Civil Service; I presently work within the Utilities/Vitality sector of the electrical energy market. My position is extra of an operational position, working with stakeholders, consultants and business to make sure the safety of the electrical energy provide and dealing to make sure we function a decarbonised electrical energy system by 2035.
Feels like quite a bit. You are outspoken about dwelling with ADHD, please inform us
Round 2016, earlier than I used to be formally identified with ADHD, I believed I had dementia praecox. I began noticing that I used to be forgetting issues, being poorly organized, and coping with ADHD taxes. I am all over the place. I made an appointment with my GP and she or he gave me a reminiscence take a look at on the spot, which I handed. Quick ahead to 2018, I began getting evaluated for ADHD. My household physician initially mentioned she did not suppose I had ADHD as a result of I graduated faculty and had a great job. I needed to urge her to refer me to a psychiatrist for analysis. In January 2020, on the age of 26, I used to be identified with ADHD blended kind. Your complete prognosis course of took 1 12 months and 6 months by the British Nationwide Well being Service. I initially felt a way of aid that I had a solution. If it wasn’t ADHD, I am certain it may have been a mind tumor – thank God it wasn’t. Then I felt unhappy and thought of what my life could be like if my ADHD had been found earlier as a result of I might have had assist and therapy that will have helped. Since then I’ve been elevating consciousness on-line and have been featured in lots of information publications (BBC, New York Occasions, and many others.) and been invited to talk about ADHD/Neurodiversity within the office.
We’re so pleased with every little thing you do, Rachel
Thanks.
How does having ADHD have an effect on your each day life and way of life?
Making an attempt to stay to a routine seems like I am placing my ADHD mind in a cage that it does not need to be in. I believe it’s essential to discover a methodology that works for you that doesn’t really feel like a chore or self-punishment. There isn’t any set technique to deal with ADHD, however listed below are some that I’ve discovered useful: use a reward system, undertake a gamification strategy, observe efficient procrastination, use fidget toys, double up on bodily exercise, and begin duties Writing a listing beforehand to prepare my ideas, selecting 1-3 “should dos” for the day, and setting each day markers relatively than making a strict schedule permits for extra flexibility. I additionally use ADHD Traits Flashcards I created one which included coping methods for each symptom I skilled, which made issues simpler.
You’ve got been very open about ADHD on social media. How do you keep optimistic and keep motivated regardless of the challenges you face?
I solely began my AdultingADHD Substack e-newsletter and in addition tweeted about my ADHD as a result of my post-diagnosis appointment with my psychiatrist was canceled as a result of COVID-19 lockdown within the UK. I had nobody to show to, so I began writing a e-newsletter as an off-the-cuff on-line good friend to different individuals who had been feeling lonely (principally for myself). It is wonderful to now have over 11,000 subscribers. I used to be coping with internalized ableism and embarrassment, so my Twitter account was nameless for a few 12 months, which helped me construct confidence and on-line neighborhood. I’ve good days and dangerous days, however not being perfectionist has helped me quite a bit. I even have supportive family and friends, and my religion in Jesus helps me overcome emotions of failure, frustration, and inadequacy.
What recommendation would you give to others who’ve lately been identified or are struggling to handle ADHD?
Your mind just isn’t damaged, you aren’t lazy, and you aren’t nugatory. We have to reject each detrimental phrase that’s given to us and check out to not internalize folks’s detrimental opinions. I do know it’s simpler mentioned than accomplished, however it’s essential to say it. Moreover, discovering neighborhood can have a huge effect. For those who don’t have an in-person neighborhood, make the most of social media platforms and digital teams. If you do not know the place to start out, you’ll be able to merely seek for ADHD or ask a query to get began. Additionally, an enormous factor that helps me is listening to ADHD podcasts like Translating ADHD, ADHD Rewired, ADHD for Good Ass Ladies, and the take management ADHD podcast. I discovered listening to visitors who had ADHD and had been working within the office to be inspiring and relatable, and I realized quite a bit.
What’s a typical day like for you?
I prefer to get up between 5:30 and 6:30 within the morning, whether or not I am working from house or going to the workplace. The very first thing I do is open the YouVersion Bible app, learn a Bible plan in it, after which play some gospel music on Spotify. Nevertheless, I nonetheless have a foul behavior of searching social media. If I earn a living from home, I take a bathe, dress, and make myself a cup of espresso by 7 o’clock. I work on private initiatives like writing articles for my e-newsletter, modifying YouTube movies, or doing a little coding earlier than beginning my day job.
I log in to work between 8:30am and 9am, after which there are conferences, duties, and deadlines. After get off work round 5:30, I’ve to decompress for at the least 45 minutes. That is both taking a stroll across the neighborhood or mendacity flat in your again in mattress. Most days after get off work, I watch my favourite TV exhibits, meet up with pals, or attend occasions. On Wednesday, I’ve an improv class from 8 to 10pm, after which I am going to most likely go to the bar with my class at 10pm. Then it is time to go to mattress. Weekends are principally about engaged on ardour initiatives, catching up with family and friends, after which going to church on Sunday.
what’s That What’s an unconventional thought concerning the world that you just suppose folks may disagree with?
I am undecided if that is unconventional, however I believe the federal government ought to construct underground bunkers. Within the occasion of an apocalypse, everybody must be assigned cowl primarily based on location. In fact, enter must be non-obligatory. You may most likely inform I watch too many sci-fi exhibits. Ha ha.
A second or expertise that makes you significantly proud?
I actually by no means thought I might be capable of use my story to assist so many adults with ADHD, particularly being booked to talk at completely different corporations. Just lately, I used to be serving to a person with ADHD who was very suicidal and simply felt misplaced and hopeless. They’re identified with ADHD however nonetheless don’t obtain assist or obtain therapy. I spent a while listening to their issues and offering sensible recommendation. I additionally gave them a set of hyperactivity flashcards. Their kinfolk (who launched me to them) advised me that they had been doing properly and that their lives had been getting higher. This can be a particular second.
oh. A ability or pastime that you just realized and loved over the previous 12 months?
Improvisation! I accomplished Stage 1 in Might and Stage 2 in July, culminating with my first reside efficiency in entrance of a packed room. The spotlight was having the ability to be inventive and turn into any character on set, which additionally made me attention-grabbing to the viewers.
Would you do one thing loopy if the entire world wasn’t watching?
I might borrow a monster truck (like those you see on TV) and trip it round city.
Haha, seems like enjoyable! What’s the one factor in your each day life that brings you pleasure?
Currently, I’ve been working towards gratitude extra. So I need to be grateful that I am alive, have pals who make me chortle, and be capable of assist others in any method I can.
Three emojis for Rachel?
😍🙏🏼🎉
Thanks for collaborating in Dwelling with, Rachel
Thanks for having me, Bella Naija.
An enormous thanks to Rach Idowu for having this dialog with us and answering all our questions.
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