Is ADHD Holding You Back? How to Stop Living Small and Become Bigger

Written By Cheryl Gigler
Illustration of a small figure standing confidently in front of a larger version of herself, representing the ADHD journey of growing into your bigger self.

A few years ago, I heard actress Jessica McCabe, YouTube sensation, speak in St. Louis. Host of the YouTube channel, How to ADHD, Jessica’s weekly program educates, giving tips and techniques for managing ADHD in a funny, fast-paced, ADHD-friendly way!

Two women seated close together in conversation, representing the supportive relationship between an ADHD coach and client.

Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, Jessica grew up with excellent supports her mother put in place. As a young adult, the budding actress began to flounder, unable to keep a job or manage many of the responsibilities of adult life. She couldn’t seem to remember her lines. Plus, her agent told her she was too big and needed to lose 10 pounds.

Jessica crossed paths with a life coach and it proved to be a defining moment. She shared the painful conversation with her agent, saying that she ‘needed to be smaller.’ The coach simply said to her, ‘you need to be bigger.’

With tears running down her face, Jessica said, “when you create space for yourself, you create space for others.” And that’s exactly what Jessica did in launching her YouTube career. In making herself vulnerable, she forged a connection with countless others in the ADHD community who suffer, bringing hope. You can hear Jessica’s story in a TED talk, “Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story.”

Illustrated character with a question mark overhead and a thought bubble showing a sprouting plant, representing curiosity and the potential for growth with ADHD.

Here are a few questions to ponder:

  • Where are you “living small?”

  • In what area of your life might you live larger?

  • What would “living larger” look like?

  • What risks are you willing to take?

  • Who or what can support you as you step forward?

  • For whom can you create space?

Most of us are playing it safe in some part of our lives. Maybe there’s one thing that you have always wanted to try. It might be bravely stepping forward to get an ADHD diagnosis. Or creating boundaries with family members who don’t believe that ADHD is real. It might look like doing that one thing you are afraid to do. Every step forward strengthens your game, making the next challenge easier.

Live large and create space for you!

Schedule your complementary discovery call with an ADHD/life coach today!

Cheryl Gigler
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The Challenge of Risk Taking, Especially When You Have ADHD!