Structured Success
@structuredsuccess.ca
ADHD Coach & Academic Strategist | Guiding ADHD, autistic, and neurodivergent clients through lived experience | they/her | #AuDHD | www.structuredsuccess.ca
Daily struggle by AceAngell on reddit
www.reddit.com/user/AceAnge...
www.reddit.com/user/AceAnge...
November 17, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Daily struggle by AceAngell on reddit
www.reddit.com/user/AceAnge...
www.reddit.com/user/AceAnge...
Finally, Cognitive Flexibility.
When things go sideways, cognitive flexibility is the executive function that allows us to adapt and carry on.
At its core, cognitive flexibility is essentially being able to think about things in different ways, often at the same time, and make connections
When things go sideways, cognitive flexibility is the executive function that allows us to adapt and carry on.
At its core, cognitive flexibility is essentially being able to think about things in different ways, often at the same time, and make connections
November 12, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Finally, Cognitive Flexibility.
When things go sideways, cognitive flexibility is the executive function that allows us to adapt and carry on.
At its core, cognitive flexibility is essentially being able to think about things in different ways, often at the same time, and make connections
When things go sideways, cognitive flexibility is the executive function that allows us to adapt and carry on.
At its core, cognitive flexibility is essentially being able to think about things in different ways, often at the same time, and make connections
Working Memory.
When things pop out of the head, it is generally working memory that's going wrong.
This happens to everyone to some degree, but for ADHD'ers it's so frequent and so impactful that it can cause real havoc in our lives.
When things pop out of the head, it is generally working memory that's going wrong.
This happens to everyone to some degree, but for ADHD'ers it's so frequent and so impactful that it can cause real havoc in our lives.
November 12, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Working Memory.
When things pop out of the head, it is generally working memory that's going wrong.
This happens to everyone to some degree, but for ADHD'ers it's so frequent and so impactful that it can cause real havoc in our lives.
When things pop out of the head, it is generally working memory that's going wrong.
This happens to everyone to some degree, but for ADHD'ers it's so frequent and so impactful that it can cause real havoc in our lives.
Attention Regulation
Getting knocked off course by distractions is a major issue for ADHD'ers, and attention regulation is the executive function that's gone wrong to cause this.
Attention regulation is our ability to choose which distractions we attend to
Getting knocked off course by distractions is a major issue for ADHD'ers, and attention regulation is the executive function that's gone wrong to cause this.
Attention regulation is our ability to choose which distractions we attend to
November 12, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Attention Regulation
Getting knocked off course by distractions is a major issue for ADHD'ers, and attention regulation is the executive function that's gone wrong to cause this.
Attention regulation is our ability to choose which distractions we attend to
Getting knocked off course by distractions is a major issue for ADHD'ers, and attention regulation is the executive function that's gone wrong to cause this.
Attention regulation is our ability to choose which distractions we attend to
Inhibition
When inhibition goes wrong, the results are impulsivity.
Everyone has impulses or urges. These happen first, and when they do, inhibition is meant to fire up to stop us from acting rashly.
That… isn't what happens for ADHD'ers (or bipolar folks in mania) a lot of the time
When inhibition goes wrong, the results are impulsivity.
Everyone has impulses or urges. These happen first, and when they do, inhibition is meant to fire up to stop us from acting rashly.
That… isn't what happens for ADHD'ers (or bipolar folks in mania) a lot of the time
November 12, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Inhibition
When inhibition goes wrong, the results are impulsivity.
Everyone has impulses or urges. These happen first, and when they do, inhibition is meant to fire up to stop us from acting rashly.
That… isn't what happens for ADHD'ers (or bipolar folks in mania) a lot of the time
When inhibition goes wrong, the results are impulsivity.
Everyone has impulses or urges. These happen first, and when they do, inhibition is meant to fire up to stop us from acting rashly.
That… isn't what happens for ADHD'ers (or bipolar folks in mania) a lot of the time
Executive dysfunction is a core component of ADHD and often involved in autism, depression, bipolar, and OCD.
It's a big barrier with widely ranging impacts, from struggles getting started to being unable to stop, from memory issues to indecision.
But, what exactly is executive dysfunction? 🧵
It's a big barrier with widely ranging impacts, from struggles getting started to being unable to stop, from memory issues to indecision.
But, what exactly is executive dysfunction? 🧵
November 12, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Executive dysfunction is a core component of ADHD and often involved in autism, depression, bipolar, and OCD.
It's a big barrier with widely ranging impacts, from struggles getting started to being unable to stop, from memory issues to indecision.
But, what exactly is executive dysfunction? 🧵
It's a big barrier with widely ranging impacts, from struggles getting started to being unable to stop, from memory issues to indecision.
But, what exactly is executive dysfunction? 🧵
Me: I can't. I've tried and it doesn't work for me
My ADHD coach: (*) Has anyone ever taught you how to?
Me: ...no... actually.
Them: Why don't we start there
Me: *shocked pikachu face*
My ADHD coach: (*) Has anyone ever taught you how to?
Me: ...no... actually.
Them: Why don't we start there
Me: *shocked pikachu face*
October 28, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Me: I can't. I've tried and it doesn't work for me
My ADHD coach: (*) Has anyone ever taught you how to?
Me: ...no... actually.
Them: Why don't we start there
Me: *shocked pikachu face*
My ADHD coach: (*) Has anyone ever taught you how to?
Me: ...no... actually.
Them: Why don't we start there
Me: *shocked pikachu face*
I woke up this morning to find that last night I started to write a post... This is how far I got before I got distracted:
"I know that f"
Well done me. 🎉
"I know that f"
Well done me. 🎉
October 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I woke up this morning to find that last night I started to write a post... This is how far I got before I got distracted:
"I know that f"
Well done me. 🎉
"I know that f"
Well done me. 🎉
ADHD'ers: Yes~ I can definitely do that. I don't think I have anything going on.
Our calendar:
Our calendar:
October 4, 2025 at 2:12 AM
ADHD'ers: Yes~ I can definitely do that. I don't think I have anything going on.
Our calendar:
Our calendar:
I've been away touching grass in multiple national and provincial parks for the last 10 days.
In that time, I'm sure that nothing of political or social consequence happened right? ...right?
Instead of sharing the news, let's share photos from our last mini-adventures! Here's some of mine
In that time, I'm sure that nothing of political or social consequence happened right? ...right?
Instead of sharing the news, let's share photos from our last mini-adventures! Here's some of mine
September 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I've been away touching grass in multiple national and provincial parks for the last 10 days.
In that time, I'm sure that nothing of political or social consequence happened right? ...right?
Instead of sharing the news, let's share photos from our last mini-adventures! Here's some of mine
In that time, I'm sure that nothing of political or social consequence happened right? ...right?
Instead of sharing the news, let's share photos from our last mini-adventures! Here's some of mine
Nothing feels as good as climbing out of ADHD crisis mode alive and (mostly) in one piece.
...it's too bad it's almost always followed by massive existential crisis from understimulation and lack of urgency...
...it's too bad it's almost always followed by massive existential crisis from understimulation and lack of urgency...
August 14, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Nothing feels as good as climbing out of ADHD crisis mode alive and (mostly) in one piece.
...it's too bad it's almost always followed by massive existential crisis from understimulation and lack of urgency...
...it's too bad it's almost always followed by massive existential crisis from understimulation and lack of urgency...
The air has turned into poisonous pea soup again :(
July 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The air has turned into poisonous pea soup again :(
Our back deck is the adopted home of this beauty: A Mourning Cloak butterfly, emerging from it's chrysalis and waiting for it's wings to set
July 7, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Our back deck is the adopted home of this beauty: A Mourning Cloak butterfly, emerging from it's chrysalis and waiting for it's wings to set
Executive dysfunction got me in trouble again :(
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
June 10, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Executive dysfunction got me in trouble again :(
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
I don't have to do all of it to make progress.
Don't forget the essentials!
June 8, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Don't forget the essentials!
Of course, exactly where one Zone ends and another begins is going to be different from person to person, and what we need and the skills that work are going to be different as well.
So remember: These Zones aren't set in stone. Adapt them to fit you!
Here's a blank version to help with that:
So remember: These Zones aren't set in stone. Adapt them to fit you!
Here's a blank version to help with that:
May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Of course, exactly where one Zone ends and another begins is going to be different from person to person, and what we need and the skills that work are going to be different as well.
So remember: These Zones aren't set in stone. Adapt them to fit you!
Here's a blank version to help with that:
So remember: These Zones aren't set in stone. Adapt them to fit you!
Here's a blank version to help with that:
The final Zone (Go!) probably needs the least explanation.
This Zone is for times when we're feeling chill, calm, focused, curious, or engaged, and the goal for this Zone is to capture the moment and enjoy yourself.
Note: This Zone is not the goal!
This Zone is for times when we're feeling chill, calm, focused, curious, or engaged, and the goal for this Zone is to capture the moment and enjoy yourself.
Note: This Zone is not the goal!
May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The final Zone (Go!) probably needs the least explanation.
This Zone is for times when we're feeling chill, calm, focused, curious, or engaged, and the goal for this Zone is to capture the moment and enjoy yourself.
Note: This Zone is not the goal!
This Zone is for times when we're feeling chill, calm, focused, curious, or engaged, and the goal for this Zone is to capture the moment and enjoy yourself.
Note: This Zone is not the goal!
The fourth Zone (Slow) describes times when we just can't get moving.
We might be feeling sad, bored, understimulated, sick, or dissociated; but progress, movement, and sometimes even thinking feels like it takes more effort.
We might be feeling sad, bored, understimulated, sick, or dissociated; but progress, movement, and sometimes even thinking feels like it takes more effort.
May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The fourth Zone (Slow) describes times when we just can't get moving.
We might be feeling sad, bored, understimulated, sick, or dissociated; but progress, movement, and sometimes even thinking feels like it takes more effort.
We might be feeling sad, bored, understimulated, sick, or dissociated; but progress, movement, and sometimes even thinking feels like it takes more effort.
The next Zone (Watch) is for times that we're feeling off kilter.
We might be feeling confused, stressed, nervous, lonely, slightly dissociated, or on edge.
Emotions in this Zone can be sneaky, lowering our defenses or threatening to spiral towards other Zones
We might be feeling confused, stressed, nervous, lonely, slightly dissociated, or on edge.
Emotions in this Zone can be sneaky, lowering our defenses or threatening to spiral towards other Zones
May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The next Zone (Watch) is for times that we're feeling off kilter.
We might be feeling confused, stressed, nervous, lonely, slightly dissociated, or on edge.
Emotions in this Zone can be sneaky, lowering our defenses or threatening to spiral towards other Zones
We might be feeling confused, stressed, nervous, lonely, slightly dissociated, or on edge.
Emotions in this Zone can be sneaky, lowering our defenses or threatening to spiral towards other Zones
The second Zone (Stop) is for times when we're feeling very heightened, threatened, or on edge. Usually this feels like having a lot (or even too much) energy and like we could spiral out of control.
This can include feeling angry, panicky, scared, or extremely stressed.
This can include feeling angry, panicky, scared, or extremely stressed.
May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The second Zone (Stop) is for times when we're feeling very heightened, threatened, or on edge. Usually this feels like having a lot (or even too much) energy and like we could spiral out of control.
This can include feeling angry, panicky, scared, or extremely stressed.
This can include feeling angry, panicky, scared, or extremely stressed.
The first Zone (Regroup) describes times when we're in distress and just need to weather the storm.
These emotions can feel out of control, overwhelmingly powerful, or completely consuming, and fighting against them rarely works.
Examples include meltdowns, mania, panic attacks, fury, etc
These emotions can feel out of control, overwhelmingly powerful, or completely consuming, and fighting against them rarely works.
Examples include meltdowns, mania, panic attacks, fury, etc
May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The first Zone (Regroup) describes times when we're in distress and just need to weather the storm.
These emotions can feel out of control, overwhelmingly powerful, or completely consuming, and fighting against them rarely works.
Examples include meltdowns, mania, panic attacks, fury, etc
These emotions can feel out of control, overwhelmingly powerful, or completely consuming, and fighting against them rarely works.
Examples include meltdowns, mania, panic attacks, fury, etc
Rather than having to identify the exact emotion, the goal is to figure out which Zone of emotion we're in.
These Zones group emotions into larger buckets based on the type of emotion, how it feels in our body, and (most importantly) what we need when we're experiencing them
These Zones group emotions into larger buckets based on the type of emotion, how it feels in our body, and (most importantly) what we need when we're experiencing them
May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Rather than having to identify the exact emotion, the goal is to figure out which Zone of emotion we're in.
These Zones group emotions into larger buckets based on the type of emotion, how it feels in our body, and (most importantly) what we need when we're experiencing them
These Zones group emotions into larger buckets based on the type of emotion, how it feels in our body, and (most importantly) what we need when we're experiencing them
Emotional regulation is hard.
It's especially hard when you have ADHD, BPD, autism, or other neurodivergent conditions that create executive function barriers, flash emotions, or struggles to even identify what the emotion we're feeling is in the first place.
So I made something to help (🧵)
It's especially hard when you have ADHD, BPD, autism, or other neurodivergent conditions that create executive function barriers, flash emotions, or struggles to even identify what the emotion we're feeling is in the first place.
So I made something to help (🧵)
May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Emotional regulation is hard.
It's especially hard when you have ADHD, BPD, autism, or other neurodivergent conditions that create executive function barriers, flash emotions, or struggles to even identify what the emotion we're feeling is in the first place.
So I made something to help (🧵)
It's especially hard when you have ADHD, BPD, autism, or other neurodivergent conditions that create executive function barriers, flash emotions, or struggles to even identify what the emotion we're feeling is in the first place.
So I made something to help (🧵)