My ADHD Mindful Lifeline
The Power of Pause:
How Mindfulness Helped Me Navigate ADHD and Life’s Challenges
Hi! I’m Michelle Swerin, as I celebrate the launch of Mindful Empowered (proud business mom ; ) I need to take a moment to share something incredibly close to my heart about what has brought me to this next step of helping others find their mindful. I want to share a little glimpse into how mindfulness transformed my journey with ADHD and how it continues to shape the way I approach every day as an affirming therapist, neurodivergent entrepreneur, ADHD mom, spouse, friend, sister, & daughter.
As a therapist and someone who has navigated my own neurodivergence, I can tell you firsthand that ADHD (and the other layers of sensory sensitivities related to my life experiences that I carry with me) often feel like an overwhelming storm of thoughts and emotions. For a long time, I struggled to find a way to calm the chaos inside my mind (& of course moments of struggle continue). Before I was diagnosed as an adult mom who started their journey at the culmination of my child’s diagnosis, I had often felt like I was moving in 100 different directions at once. That was my normal. After I was diagnosed, providers would often compliment and reflect supportively that I had clearly compensated and made the most of my journey, despite not having earlier treatment or intervention (more on the internal detriment that deeply cuts despite outward accomplishments later), but I always shared that, “Before there was awareness, acceptance, labels, diagnoses, or medication, for me there was mindfulness. My lifeline in the chaos.”
Mindfulness isn’t a magic fix, but it has been my anchor in a world that often feels scattered and unpredictable. At first, I started with small, intentional moments: a few minutes of deep breathing, focusing on the present moment, or simply paying attention to my senses. It wasn’t easy—my brain is wired to jump from one thought to the next—but with practice, it started to create space for my thoughts to settle.
One of the most helpful tools I began using was mindfulness meditation. I found solace in quiet moments, guiding myself through my breath, reminding myself that it was okay to slow down. This practice became a cornerstone of my self-care routine, not just as a therapist, but as someone navigating life with ADHD.
Through this journey, I realized that mindfulness isn’t just about sitting still in silence; it’s about learning to be present with whatever comes up—whether that’s stress, excitement, frustration, or joy. It has taught me to be more compassionate with myself and to recognize when I need a break or when I’m pushing too hard.
Why Mindfulness Works for ADHD
Mindfulness has been instrumental in helping me manage my ADHD. It has given me tools to stay grounded when my thoughts get scattered, and more importantly, it’s allowed me to build a sense of self-awareness and regulation. When I’m mindful, I can better recognize when I’m feeling overwhelmed or unfocused, and I can take steps to re-center myself.
In my work as a therapist, I now use mindfulness-based techniques to support others with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other neurodivergent traits. Whether through breathwork, body scans, or simple moments of gratitude, I’ve seen how mindfulness can help people reconnect with themselves, enhance emotional regulation, and create a sense of balance.
Mindfulness isn’t a quick fix, but it’s a powerful tool that anyone can integrate into their daily life. For me, it’s been the key to finding peace amidst the chaos, and it’s a practice I will continue to lean on throughout my life.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
