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Abi Lemon 🍋The Brilliance Effect

@abilemon.co

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ADHD Coach, Business Mentor & Positive Psychologist - Music + Creative Industries.
▫️Brilliance Without Burnout
▫️Ex Ministry of Sound
🎧 @djabilemon

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I’ve been told a million times “you gotta have a very specific niche”

We get to be more than one thing in life, work and business because the common thread is always you.

I 💯 believe as ADHDers we thrive being multifaceted, and I can’t imagine being any other way - we shouldn’t have to fit into a box or a life that’s not designed for us.

Ted talk over 😂💥

#adhdcoach #adhdwomen #adhdlife by @abilemon.co

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2 days ago

I was privileged to be invited to talk about music, creativity and neurodivergence with a line up of incredible music industry legends (sorry @djjjfrost I know you don’t like being called that 😂)

We shared personal stories, we talked about how the industry needs to change and what we can do to support the next generation.

Brilliantly hosted by the powerhouse that is @nutritious_minds, this is an episode not to miss.

@nutritiousmindsclinic
@nutritiousmindspodcast
@djjjfrost
Deemus J
@mattjamlamont
@mccreedmusic
@iamdjarchie
@hannah.joseph
@mc_archie_d
@haroldheath this must been taken on one of your push-ups breaks 😂

@abilemon.co
@abi_nutritiousmindsclinic taken in Elephant and Castle by @abilemon.co

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3 days ago

Nobody told me any of this when I was diagnosed in 2021.

I thought the rejection stuff was me being too sensitive. I thought every idea had to happen that week or it was gone. I thought burning out was the price of doing work I loved.

In actual fact, none of that is true.

Your RSD will still go wild. You’ll still have more ideas than you could ever use. You’ll still forget the good thing that happened on Tuesday.

But you can do creative work with an ADHD brain and not burn out doing it.

And It’s so, so worth it.

Keep going.

#adhdwomen #adhdlife #adhdcoach taken in Bournemouth by @abilemon.co

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5 days ago

Is ‘handling it’ the real adhd superpower?

😩😂🤯😬

#adhdcoach #adhdwomen #adhdlife taken in Bournemouth by @abilemon.co

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6 days ago

I’ll be 50 in February - my 40s were also when I received my adhd diagnosis.

Being diagnosed later in life also has its challenge - if that’s you too, know that a mix of feelings is totally normal. Grief as to what might have been, anger at why no one noticed how much you were struggling before.

Where are my late diagnosed crew at? ⬇️ by @abilemon.co

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7 days ago

You can feel it building up…especially with outdoor gigs.

Long sets with hours on your feet
Heat and sun beating down on you, or it being really cold
No food
Lugging kit around
Loudness everywhere
Being ‘on’ for everyone
Wasps
The wind blowing - for me I don’t even like having the car window open, so 6 hours of my hair blowing around feels a LOT

These things can lead to us feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated in a job where you have to keep the smile on, and keep your audience happy. Even the act of masking the overstimulation contributes to creating that feeling of being totally ‘done’.

After nearly 100 hours of playing in the last month alone, here’s what I’m doing my manage that nervous system response:

Rest, rest and rest afterwards in a quiet place
Make sure sleep is the best quality it can be - earplugs, eye mask, magnesium
Keep some semblance of routine - gym workouts, nutrition
Stay super hydrated - make sure you’re brought water at regular intervals
Ask for what you need 🙏🏻 if you’re playing a long set, make sure you have some ‘wee break’ tunes or long tracks that mean you can stretch your legs or sit down, even for a couple of minutes
Avoid the temptation to push through with alcohol or stimulants - you’ll feel worse in the long run
Take a day off every now and then - one I’m not very good at
Use earplugs during your gig - @loopearplugs are always in my DJ bag
Take snacks for long gigs
Using some deep breathing techniques to help you regulate after a set
Talking to someone you trust about how you feel, someone that will support rather than invalidate your experience

ADHD burnout is very real, and if left unchecked and unmanaged, overstimulation and overwhelm will massively contribute to the burnout cycle.

If you need some extra support with your adhd traits, just reach out. I’ve got a space for 1:1 coaching opening up this week. taken in Bournemouth by @abilemon.co

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3 months ago

Ahhhaaa the little voice - learning how to know when it’s the “unhinged raccoon” or the “wise intuition” is definitely a skill.

Try:

Taking a pause before you make a dopamine driven decision - just breathe deeply and slowly for a few breaths to make sure your executive function is in control

Talking to someone you trust - not asking their opinion but just vocally processing the thought outside of your head

If it’s a nagging, intrusive voice, try changing your physical state. Try putting your hands in icy water, getting out of your seat and doing some star jumps, or just going outside for a walk under some trees.

Like most adhders, I’ve made some rash and impulsive decision over the years, some have put me in all kinds of danger and some have been the best decisions ever. Having a ‘pause’ process to work through can help you to make more of the good ones and at least think through the bad ones a little bit more first.

Drop me a DM if you need an experienced ADHD coach in your life right now - I’ve got a space for 1:1 opening up next week ❤️ by @abilemon.co

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3 months ago

As an ADHDer, saying yes to things was never the problem.

Saying yes to the right things that filled my soul, and moved me in the direction of my goals? THAT was the issue.

Self worth issues, people pleasing, RSD … all got in the way of me saying yes for myself.

This is your permission to say yes to more of what matters to YOU, and more that brings you joy every day.

Need help figuring that out? That’s what I’m here for… drop me a DM ❤️ taken in Bournemouth by @abilemon.co

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3 months ago

Sat with a client today who rewrote a follow up email eight times before sending it. Some part of them was bracing for danger the whole time, far more than the email itself warranted.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is real, it’s common in ADHD brains, and it’s exhausting in an industry built on pitching, applying, and constant maybes.

If a “no” wrecks you for longer than feels reasonable, there’s nothing wrong with you. Your nervous system is just doing what it learned to do.
I
📩 Link in bio if you want support with this. taken in Bournemouth by @abilemon.co

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4 months ago

I’ve heard this on discovery calls three times in the past couple of weeks - along with consistent overwhelm, and all the signs of approaching burnout.

This comes up constantly in my work with music industry professionals and creatives. The creativity is still there - it’s just buried under everything else, and has been for a while.

Burnout does that. Takes the thing you love most and puts it just out of reach, whilst you fight with the guilt and shame of feeling like you’re just not enough for the life you want.

Managing an adhd brain in the music and creative industry is certainly not for the weak.

📩 Link in bio if you want to talk about making life and work a little bit easier ❤️ taken in Bournemouth by @abilemon.co

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4 months ago

A quick introduction.

I’ve spent 30 years in the music and creative industries, and seen so many brilliant ADHD artists and creatives miss opportunities, hold themselves back or burn out, myself included.

Why couldn’t I finish things?

Why couldn’t I stay in a job?

Why was I “too much” yet never felt enough?

How could I find actual, real joy?

Who the fuck was I anyway?!

I was on a mission - I studied biological psychology at degree level, a 4 year degree in acupuncture, and SO many books and courses to try and figure out how to manage my brain and actually feel happy with who I was and how I show up in life.

I started coaching and mentoring other creatives, took an MSc in applied positive psychology and coaching psychology and then WHAM, I was diagnosed with ADHD, and everything started to make sense.

I learned how to regulate my nervous system, how to manage my brain day to day, and most of all I learned compassion for my wired-differently brain.

The lifelong quest to understand my own brain has led me to wanting to help you understand yours too.

In an industry that attracts neurodivergent brains, and yet can be incredibly bad for us, it’s important to find ways we can understand ourselves, figure out who we are and what matters, and work out how we can move toward our goals without self sabotaging or burning out.

If ADHD is part of your journey, I’m here to help - my DMs are open.

#adhd #adhdawareness #adhdcoach taken in Bournemouth by @abilemon.co

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4 months ago

The ‘after-coaching’ glow up is real - if you’re a music or creative professional, DJ or artist that wants support with managing life and work with ADHD, my DMs are open.

#adhdcoach #adhdbrain #adhdlife taken in Bournemouth by @abilemon.co

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4 months ago