Bring in the New Year: Hope, Growth and Embracing Our Neurospicy Selves

I’ve never really been big on New Year’s celebrations or resolutions. They’ve always felt like too much pressure wrapped up in a single day, as if flipping the calendar somehow flips a switch in our lives. But this year, I’m entering the new year with a little more intention and a lot more hope.

Looking back, this past year was tough. It was full of lessons, challenges, and moments that tested my emotional resilience. Living with AuDHD isn’t easy—every day can feel like an obstacle course of emotional regulation, sensory overwhelm, and executive dysfunction. But it was also a year of growth and self-discovery. I learned to better understand my brain, and I began to lean into the things that make me who I am, instead of fighting against them.

In 2025, my hope is to continue this journey, working with my AuDHD rather than against it. I want to find solutions that make life a little easier for myself and for all of us navigating this neurospicy world. I also hope to grow our neurodivergent community—a space where we can share support, understanding, and a sense of belonging that is so often missing elsewhere.

### A Few Tools for Navigating AuDHD Challenges

As I work toward these goals, here are a couple of small, practical steps I’m embracing:

1. **Mindful Breathing**

Emotional dysregulation is one of the biggest challenges many of us face. Mindful breathing can help in those overwhelming moments:

**Box Breathing**

Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds. Repeat. This simple pattern can calm your nervous system and give your brain a moment to reset.

**The 5-5-5 Method**

Inhale for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds, and repeat for 5 minutes. This is great for grounding when you feel like you’re spiraling.

2. **Breaking Tasks Into Smaller Steps**

Executive dysfunction makes even small tasks feel enormous. I’ve learned to break things down into the smallest possible steps and celebrate progress instead of focusing on perfection. For example, if cleaning a room feels overwhelming, I’ll start by just picking up five items. Sometimes, that’s enough to build momentum.

3. **Celebrate Rest**

Burnout is real, and it can be hard to let ourselves rest without guilt. But rest isn’t just important—it’s essential. Rest doesn’t make us lazy; it makes us human.

### Looking Ahead

As we step into this new year, I’m hopeful. Hopeful that I can better navigate the challenges of being neurodivergent. Hopeful that our world will grow a little more neurodiverse, that there will be more support and awareness from those around us. And hopeful that together, as a community, we can find joy, understanding, and connection in our shared experiences.

Here’s to a year of growth, hope, and embracing our beautifully neurospicy selves.