New Year, New You? Not so fast.
Welcome to the New Year!
You’re likely seeing this everywhere but in the Chinese Zodiac, 2026 (actually beginning on Feb 17th, the Chinese Lunar New Year), is the Year of the Fire Horse. Meant to symbolize: Bold Action! Visibility! Growth!
All great things, but I say, “Whoa there, take it easy!”
I’m all for a slow cantor but sprinting out of the gate can mean burn out for ADHDers. That’s why this first newsletter of the new year is coming at ya, nice and easy, on January 9th.
The new year does feel like a nice time for a reset though, doesn’t it? For ADHDers who can get carried away by big new ideas but fizzle quickly, having a vision for the year, and set-in-stone times to check in and recalibrate, might be just the thing to keep you going this year.
Maybe you’ve already had time to take a look at last year and ask yourself what you want to leave behind in 2025 and what you want more of this year. Maybe you’re in the middle of a burn out and all you want more of this year is naps, that’s totally legitimate!
Here’s a different question for you:
How do you want to feel at the end of this year?
Peaceful? Energized? Content? Self-compassionate? Proud? Joyful?
Now work backwards. If that’s what you would love to create this year, what do you want to make part of your daily, weekly or monthly rhythms that will move you towards feeling that way at the end of the year?
I’d love to hear what comes up for you.
With Refreshment for the New Year,
Danica
What I’ve been Reading/Watching/Listening to
I stumbled upon this lovely little resource, I can’t remember where, but it might spark some insights into what this year holds for you. I found it engaging and it encouraged some new creativity that I hadn’t known wanted to pop up.
For those of you who love to set goals but also struggle with the action needed to meet those goals. Russell Barkley has a nice explanation of what he calls “Intention Deficit Disorder”. I believe he coined the phrase “ADHD is not a disorder of knowing what to do. It’s a disorder of doing what you know.”
I can’t say enough about the importance of self-compassion and how transformational it has been in my own journey. If you’re hard on yourself and self-forgiveness is something that you struggle with, this workshop might be just the thing. I have no affiliation with the Center for MSC, just saw this workshop and thought I’d pass it on.
What’s Coming Up
Book Club
Women with Attention Deficit Disorder - Sari Solden
This one is a little older (thus the old language of ADD instead of ADHD) but it so beautifully describes the experience of women with ADHD that I think you will feel very seen and validated. It’s available as an e-book, audio book and you can probably grab a used hard copy.
Hit reply to let me know if you’d like to join or if the timing doesn’t work, please let me know! I’ve been toying with making this an evening book club.
February 3, 10,17, and 24, 10-11AM Pacific
Deep Dive ADHD GROUP
I’m a huge believer in the power of community to spur growth and healing. And I have loved taking clients through the Deep Dive Program. So I’m very excited to offer it as a group program this year! This group will be limited to 5 fabulous women to keep it intimate.
Six, 1.5 hour meetings, over 12-weeks with journal prompts in-between sessions on the off weeks. Reach out for details.
