Rachel is a disability researcher, advocate and visual artist who had previously worked in the digital marketing and MarTech space for over a decade. She is passionate about disability inclusion and mental health advocacy, and believes that empathic imagination is essential for fostering authentic connections and social inclusion in the wider society. Beyond her work, Rachel finds joy in reading, singing, drinking tea, playing with her cats and taking long walks. Her mind is always whirring with new ideas, and her heart is deeply moved by stories that speak to our shared humanity.
When did you get diagnosed?
I was diagnosed in 2022, after years of struggling with time management, impulsivity and burnout. I started to realise that I was struggling with procrastination a lot more than the average person, and had an intuition that it might be ADHD.
What was life like before diagnosis?
Quite confusing, to be honest! While I knew I was sharp, creative and quick-witted, I also knew I didn’t have much of a clue about how to understand or navigate my struggles. As a kid, I was often punished for not obeying the rules and being “problematic” due to my behaviour. I was also told things like, “If you’re so smart, why can’t you do this?” For example, I wasn’t able to keep my room organised or keep track of my appointments, and people were assuming that I was just lazy or wasn’t trying hard enough. This led to low self-esteem, which caused me to become a people-pleasing perfectionist who was afraid to make mistakes. It was all-around exhausting.
What was life like post diagnosis?
My life didn’t change too drastically post-diagnosis as I had already developed many coping mechanisms by then. What changed was the way I saw myself. Instead of feeling like I was a burden or a problem to fix, I began to see myself in a more compassionate light and started being kind to myself in my struggles while also embracing my strengths. I also began to see the beauty in my imperfections; quite a feat as I’ve always tried to “fix” or cover up my flaws as I felt unlikeable and unlovable. It’s been a journey of self-discovery with its highs and lows, but I’d say that it’s the most meaningful journey I’ve ever embarked on.
What do you think are your greatest ADHD strengths?
I’m a natural interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary thinker! I can make associations between very unusual things and come up with innovative and creative solutions. I also like to think that I have mad ad lib skills as I can come up with parody songs and jokes on the fly… But you might not believe me until you witness it for yourself!
How do you manage ADHD in daily life?
Practically speaking, task management tools have been a lifesaver as I can set specific deadlines and break down tasks into smaller sub-tasks. I also use calendar apps to keep track of my appointments and have a shared calendar with my husband to avoid double-booking my appointments. I journal and exercise regularly to regulate my emotions and energy. I think finding the right rhythm for me and working with flows really helped, more so than working with tasks. Working with flows allows me to follow a process that makes sense to me, as I work with the natural peaks and troughs in my energy levels instead of checking tasks off a list that doesn’t take that into consideration.
How would you advise your younger self?
You don’t have to be anyone else to be loved. You might struggle and stumble along the way, but as you grow into who you’re meant to be, you’ll meet people who truly accept and love you for who are. You’re enough!
Complete this sentence: ADHD is……
ADHD is a way to understand how I experience the world and connect with others.
Many thanks for stepping up to be our #Champions4ADHD and spread ADHD Awareness, hope and inspire others. This is an important step to create more understanding, acceptance and opportunities for ADHDers in Singapore. If you would like to be part of #ADHDStories, please submit your story here
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