Five Steps to Finding Your Strengths as an ADHD Woman
Finding Your Strengths as an ADHD Woman: A Path to Joy, Authenticity, and Balance
Why Finding Your Strengths as and ADHD Woman Matters
- Avoid Burnout: Aligning your life with your strengths prevents you from going against your natural tendencies, helping you conserve energy and thrive.
- Reduce Stress: Emphasizing your strengths makes daily challenges more manageable, leading to a less stressful life.
- Increase Joy and Happiness: Doing what youâre naturally good at brings a sense of fulfillment and joy, allowing you to live more authentically.
- Unmask and Be Authentic: Understanding and using your strengths empowers you to drop the mask and embrace your true self, leading to deeper connections and greater self-confidence.
5 Ways to Find Your Strengths and Apply Them
1ď¸âŁ Reflect on Your Successes
How to Find It: Recall moments when you felt proud, accomplished, or particularly satisfied. What were you doing? What strengths did you rely on?
How to Apply It: Use these strengths in new challenges or opportunities. For example, if creativity helped you in the past, seek out projects that require innovative thinking.
2ď¸âŁ Pay Attention to What Energizes You
How to Find It: Notice which tasks leave you feeling energized rather than drained. What activities make you lose track of time?
How to Apply It: Incorporate more of these energizing activities into your daily routine. If helping others gives you energy, find ways to mentor or support people in your life.
3ď¸âŁ Listen to Feedback
How to Find It: Reflect on the compliments and feedback youâve received. What do people consistently say youâre good at?
How to Apply It: Lean into these recognized strengths. If others often comment on your empathy, consider roles or activities where you can support and understand others.
4ď¸âŁ Explore New Interests
How to Find It: Step outside your comfort zone and try new things. Sometimes your strengths reveal themselves in unexpected places.
How to Apply It: Use this exploration to expand your skill set. If you discover a talent for public speaking, seek out opportunities to present or lead discussions.
5ď¸âŁ Use the VIA Strengths Survey
How to Find It: Take the VIA Strengths Survey, a well-regarded tool that helps you identify your core character strengths. This survey provides insights into the traits that naturally resonate with you.
How to Apply It: Once youâve identified your strengths using VIA, consciously incorporate them into your daily life. For instance, if "Creativity" is a top strength, find ways to express it through your work, hobbies, or problem-solving.
How to Start Recognizing Your Strengths Today
Your strengths may have been overlooked or dismissed if you've spent years trying to meet neurotypical expectations. Hereâs how you can begin to recognize and embrace your unique abilities:
- Acknowledge Past Conditioning: Understand that schools, workplaces, and even mental health systems often focus on fixing perceived weaknesses rather than nurturing your natural strengths. Recognizing this bias is the first step toward reclaiming your abilities.
- Shift Your Focus: Consciously start paying attention to what youâre good at rather than what you struggle with. List activities where you excel and notice patterns in your strengths.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when you struggle. Instead of fixating on weaknesses, remind yourself that everyone has unique strengths, and itâs okay to take time to discover yours.
- Seek External Feedback: Ask friends, family, or colleagues what they believe your strengths are. Sometimes, others can see what we can't.
- Take Action: Use tools like the VIA Strengths Survey to identify your strengths and actively look for ways to incorporate them into your daily life.
Why Finding Out About Your Strengths Should Matter to You
Common Strengths ADHD Women May Have
Itâs okay if you donât have these strengthsânot everyone with ADHD is the same. However, here are some strengths that ADHD women often possess:
- Creativity and Innovation: Seeing the world in unique ways and developing new ideas.
- Hyperfocus: The ability to deeply concentrate on something you are passionate about.
- Empathy and Sensitivity: A strong sense of understanding othersâ feelings.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Approaching challenges from multiple angles to find creative solutions.
- Resilience and Perseverance: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward.
- Energy and Enthusiasm: Bringing passion and drive to everything you do.
- Adaptability: Adjusting to new situations with ease.
These are all common adhd strengths but each person is unique.
Take the Next Step
Discover more about your adhd strengths today by taking the VIA Strengths Survey. This tool will help you identify the strengths that resonate most with you, providing insights into aligning your life with your natural abilities. Remember, your strengths are unique to you, and discovering them is the first step to living a truly yours life.
Medical Disclaimer
The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk.
Kristen McClure: Neurodivergent-Affirming ADHD Therapist and Coach with 30 years experience in North Carolina and South Carolina Offering virtual therapy and coaching services across North Carolina, including Ashville, Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington, Greenville, and more. Also serving major South Carolina cities such as Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, and more.
