Doing Life With… is a BellaNaija Options collection that showcases how individuals reside, work, journey, care for his or her households and… all the things in between. We’re documenting the lives of all individuals and making certain everyone seems to be well-represented at BN.
Did you miss the final dialog with Debby Ojay? You may catch up here.
This week, we’re doing life with Rach Idowu who’s utilizing her platforms to advocate for ADHD. She offers us a glimpse into her life, background and journey. Get pleasure from!
Hey Rach, how are you immediately?
I’m doing nice immediately. I’m presently on vacation within the USA visiting household in a couple of states and attending to see new locations on my bucket listing.
Superior! Give us a peep into your background
I used to be born and raised in London to Nigerian dad and mom. I’m the center little one and had center little one syndrome being 2 years aside from my 2 sisters. Rising up, I had a lot vitality as a child. I used to be all the time outdoors rollerblading, taking part in with neighbours, and an avid gamer. At school, I used to be all the time drawn to topics that left room for creativeness/interpretation like Sociology, Media Research and Enterprise. My lecturers would inform me that I had the present of the gab, I used to be charismatic and I had the eye span of a goldfish. In 2016, I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Worldwide Enterprise with two years of examine overseas from the College of Hertfordshire. Throughout my research, I spent a yr overseas on the College of North Carolina Wilmington within the US and a semester at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. I additionally accomplished a 6-month internship working for a US firm in Barcelona.
Inform us slightly about your profession
I spent most of my profession working within the UK Civil Service, doing a spread of roles from Procurement, Contract Administration, Industrial, and Coverage. I are usually drawn to high-pressured and high-profile roles that give me a variety of accountability and allow me to have interaction with a spread of stakeholders. I now not work for the UK Civil Service; I presently work within the Utilities/Vitality sector within the Electrical energy Markets. My function is extra of an operational function the place I work with stakeholders, specialists and trade, making certain the safety of the electrical energy provide and dealing to make sure we function a decarbonised electrical energy system by 2035.
Seems like rather a lot. You’re vocal about residing with ADHD, inform us about it
Round 2016, earlier than I used to be formally recognized with ADHD, I believed I used to be growing early-onset dementia. I began to note that I used to be forgetting issues, poorly organised, and coping with ADHD tax. I used to be simply in all places. I booked an appointment with my Normal Practitioner, and he or she gave me a reminiscence check on the spot, which I handed. Quick ahead to 2018, I began the method of getting assessed for ADHD. My GP initially stated she didn’t suppose I may have ADHD as a result of I graduated and had job. I needed to push her to refer me to the psychiatrist for an evaluation. In January 2020, on the age of 26, I used to be recognized with ADHD Mixed Sort. The entire analysis course of took 1 yr and 6 months through the UK Nationwide Well being Service. I initially felt a way of aid as a result of I had solutions. If it wasn’t ADHD, I used to be positive it was most likely a mind tumour — thank God it isn’t. After which I felt unhappy, fascinated about what my life may have been like if my ADHD had been recognized earlier on due to the assist and remedy I might have obtained, which might have helped. Since then, I’ve been elevating consciousness on-line, featured in lots of information publications (BBC, NY Instances, and so forth.), and invited to talk about ADHD/Neurodiversity within the office.
We’re pleased with what you’ve executed, Rach
Thanks.
How has residing with ADHD influenced your every day routine and life-style?
Making an attempt to stay to a routine seems like I’m placing my on-the-go ADHD mind in a cage, that it doesn’t need to be in. I do know that routines are supposed to be useful however I can’t assist however really feel restricted and uninterested in having a every day routine. I believe it’s necessary to search out what works for you, that doesn’t really feel like a chore or self-punishment. There is no such thing as a set means of adulting with ADHD however right here are some things that I’ve discovered useful I’ve discovered a couple of issues to be useful: utilizing a reward system, using gamification strategies, practising productive procrastination, utilizing fidget toys, partaking in physique doubling, writing a listing to organise my ideas earlier than beginning a process, choosing 1-3 ‘should dos’ for the day, and setting every day markers as an alternative of making a strict schedule, which permits for extra flexibility. I additionally use the ADHD Traits Flashcards I created which embrace a coping technique for every symptom I’m fighting, which makes issues a lot simpler.
You’re very open about ADHD on social media. How do you keep a constructive mindset and keep motivated regardless of the challenges of residing with it?
I solely began my AdultingADHD Substack e-newsletter and in addition tweeting about my ADHD as a result of my post-diagnosis appointments with the psychiatrists received cancelled as a result of COVID-19 lockdown within the UK. I had nobody to show to, so I began my e-newsletter as an off-the-cuff on-line buddy to anybody else feeling lonely and primarily for myself. It’s superb to have over 11,000 subscribers now. I used to be coping with internalised ableism and embarrassment so my Twitter account was nameless for about 1 yr which helped me develop confidence and construct neighborhood on-line. I’ve good days and dangerous days however not chasing perfectionism has helped me rather a lot. I even have supportive family and friends and my religion in Jesus helps me deal with feeling defeated, down and never sufficient.
What recommendation would you give to others who’ve been not too long ago recognized or are struggling to handle their ADHD?
Your mind isn’t damaged, you’re not lazy or nugatory. We have to reject each unfavorable phrase given to us and take a look at to not internalise individuals’s unfavorable opinions. I do know it’s simpler stated than executed but it surely’s necessary to be stated. Additionally, discovering neighborhood makes an enormous distinction. Should you don’t have an in-person neighborhood, faucet into social media platforms and digital teams. Should you don’t know the place to begin, a easy seek for ADHD or asking a query is a technique to begin. Additionally, an enormous factor that helped me was listening to ADHD podcasts like Translating ADHD, ADHD Rewired, ADHD for Sensible Ass Girls, and take management ADHD podcast. I discover listening to friends who’ve ADHD and are within the working world encouraging and relatable and I be taught rather a lot as properly.
What’s a typical day for you?
I prefer to get up between the hours of 5-6:30 am, whether or not I’m working from dwelling or going into the workplace. The very first thing I do is open the YouVersion Bible app the place I learn a bible plan after which I placed on some gospel music on Spotify. I nonetheless have a foul behavior of scrolling by way of social media although. If I’m working from dwelling, I’m all showered and dressed earlier than 7 after which I make myself a cup of espresso. I work on private initiatives similar to writing for my e-newsletter, enhancing a YouTube video or performing some coding earlier than the day job begins.
I go browsing to work between 8:30 to 9 a.m. after which it’s conferences, duties and deadlines. After work round 5:30ish, I’ve to decompress for at the very least 45 minutes. That is both going for a stroll across the neighbourhood or mendacity flat in mattress. After work on most days, I’m catching up with my fav TV collection, assembly up with mates or going to an occasion. On Wednesdays, I’ve improv lessons from 8-10 pm, after which I’d go to the pub with my class at 10 pm. Then it’s bedtime. On the weekends, it’s largely engaged on ardour initiatives, assembly up with family and friends after which church on Sundays.
What’s that unconventional thought in regards to the world that you simply suppose individuals may not agree with?
I’m unsure if that is unconventional, however I believe governments ought to construct underground bunkers. Everybody needs to be assigned bunkers primarily based on areas within the occasion of an apocalypse occurring. Entry needs to be non-obligatory, in fact. You may most likely inform I watch means too many sci-fi exhibits. Haha.
A second or expertise whenever you felt notably pleased with your self?
I actually by no means thought I’d have the ability to use my story to assist many adults with ADHD, particularly being booked to talk at totally different corporations. Lately, I used to be serving to somebody with ADHD who was extraordinarily suicidal and simply felt misplaced and hopeless. They have been recognized with ADHD however nonetheless didn’t have assist or entry to remedy. I spent a while listening to their points and offering sensible recommendations. I additionally gave them decks of the ADHD Flashcards. I used to be informed by their relative (who launched me to them) that they’re doing extraordinarily properly and life has circled for the higher. It was a particular second.
Awwwn. A ability or pastime you picked up prior to now yr and luxuriate in?
Improv! I accomplished Degree 1 in Might and accomplished Degree 2 in July which ended with my first reside efficiency in a packed room. The spotlight was having the ability to be inventive and be any character on the spot, it additionally helped that the viewers discovered me humorous.
One loopy factor you’d do if the world wasn’t watching you?
I might borrow a monster truck (such as you see on TV) and experience it round city.
Haha, sounds enjoyable! One factor in your on a regular basis life that carry you pleasure?
Currently, I’ve been practising extra gratitude. So being grateful that I’m alive, having mates that make me snort and simply having the ability to assist individuals in any means that I can.
Rach in three emojis?
😍🙏🏼🎉
Thanks for being on Doing Life With…, Rach
Thanks for having me, BellaNaija.
Many because of Rach Idowu for having this dialog with us and answering all our questions.
Do you like this content material, have any suggestions for us or need to be a BellaNaija Options contributor? We’d like to learn from you. Shoot us an electronic mail: [email protected]. Be part of us on Saturday for the following episode!
