Cultivating Self-Care: A Plant-Inspired Strategy for ADHDers (and others)

Description:

When a plant stops growing and flowering, nobody yells at it that it should try harder. Instead, you check whether it has everything it needs: is there enough light, consistent watering, enough space in the pot, enough nutrition in the soil? Then, you change the conditions to give the plant its best chance to succeed. 

But that's not how we treat ourselves as writers and illustrators — especially writers and illustrators with ADHD. We mentally yell at ourselves to "just try harder." We fall asleep feeling hopeless, like maybe this isn't in the cards for us considering we missed yet another deadline... And when was the last time you touched that supposed "passion project" anyway? Clearly you don't want it enough. 

But what's usually missing has very little to do with passion, discipline, or talent. We haven't given our brains and bodies the conditions they need to thrive: enough rest, nutritious food, movement, social connection, and a nervous system that isn't running on fumes. 

This Blue Monday, right after the holiday madness has settled and the last New Year's drink has been fully digested, let's focus on self-care as the actual groundwork. What is it that our brains and bodies actually need to produce the amazing children's stories that live inside us? How do you spot which one is missing for you right now, before you've completely burned out? And what do you do on days you have very little to give? 

Let's build the foundations for a successful year.

Created for ADHDers, and useful for anyone who feels it's time to find a better strategy than "just trying harder." 

Bio:

Susanne Schotanus is the world's first ADHD writing coach for adults — a role her clients chose for her. After five years coaching hundreds of writers, she's discovered that most of the "writing problems" people beat themselves up over are actually executive function challenges. Too many ideas, not enough time, paralysis when faced with a blank page, the inability to finish what you start — these aren't character flaws. They're signs that standard writing advice was designed for a brain you don't have. Susanne helps writers build systems that actually work for how they think — so they can get their stories out of their heads and onto the page.   

This event is £10 to members, £20 to non-members.

THIS EVENT IS FREE FOR ALL WINTER OF WELLBEING SEASON TICKET HOLDERS.

There are no refunds for this event. Afraid you can't make time/date for this opportunity? The full webinar will be recorded. Registered participant will be able to (re-)watch the recording for 30 days after the event.

Any questions? Email Cat Parker at: [email protected] 

Please note: SCBWI has a zero-tolerance policy against harassment of any kind. Any violation of this policy is actionable.

This event is made possible by a grant from SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America 

To see the full line-up for our Winter of Wellbeing click here