Lately, I’ve been obsessed with fishing. I love being outside, on the water, soaking in the fresh air. There’s something so calming about watching the fish swim around, and when I actually catch one? That’s my big dopamine hit for the day. Nothing beats that excitement…until it wears off 2 minutes later.

I’ve always been a go, go, go type of person – constantly looking for something to do and chasing activities that don’t feel boring. Right now, my top three are fishing (obviously), biking, and, if I’m really desperate for stimulation, yard work. The part no one really talks about with this kind of brain, though, is how painful it can be when you hit a wall and have zero motivation to do any of those things. That heavy, frustrating feeling of wanting to do something – but everything feels either too hard or not stimulating enough – is brutal.

To Cope,

I’ve started keeping a sort of pocketbook of dopamine hits. Some are small, like just walking outside for five minutes. Others are bigger, like heading out to fish or going on a long bike ride. But even with this list, I still find myself stuck — frozen between what I want to do and what feels easiest in the moment. Too often, I end up scrolling on my phone instead, which only makes the frustration worse.

My therapist shared something with me recently that really stuck. She told me:

“Yes, getting up to do these things feels hard — especially with a brain like yours — but the reward and excitement afterward is immeasurable.”

And somehow, hearing that from someone else made it click. It helped me recognize that the dread I feel beforehand is temporary, and the payoff is always worth it. I’ve slowly been starting to recognize my overwhelm, and address it with this mindset.

That Said,

doom scrolling still happens – let’s be honest. It’s a near-daily thing I try to fight against. But part of why I started this blog is to channel my energy into something that feels meaningful. I want to build a space where people with similar brains – people who feel stuck, overstimulated, underwhelmed, or all of the above – can come together and share our wins, tips, tricks, and frustrations.

Honestly, finding people who understand this messy brain? That’s the real win.

Want to see the stuff that keeps me going – whether I’m outside fishing or inside coloring to calm my brain? Check out my Outdoor + Chill Zone for my go-to dopamine boosters, all ADHD-brain approved.