WiseMind Unlocked: Emotional Survival for ADHD & Autism

In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by intense emotions that seem too daunting to handle. Many of us are searching for ways to cope with these emotions while staying productive and positive. Welcome to the Empowered Slacker Society, where we provide strategies to help you work smarter, not harder, so you can create more time for what truly matters. This week, we are diving into a transformative technique called Wise Mind journaling, brought to you by Megan Griffith, a life coach specializing in autism and ADHD.

Understanding Wise Mind

The concept of Wise Mind lies at the intersection of logic and emotion. While logic involves analytical thinking and fact-based conclusions, emotions are derived from feelings and non-linear thinking. Though they may seem like opposites, logic and emotion are different sides of the same coin, both essential for making sense of our experiences. Instead of seeing them as foes, we can harmonize these aspects through a practice known as dialectics—holding seemingly opposing truths together to gain a deeper understanding.

Introducing Wise Mind Journaling

Wise Mind journaling is a practical exercise that enables you to bridge the gap between feeling and thinking. The process is simple yet profound. Open your journal to two blank pages. On the left side, pour out your emotions without any restraint or rationalization. It’s crucial to allow your feelings to flow freely, without trying to explain or apologize for them.

On the right side, list out the facts—specific pieces of information about the situation that you could present as evidence. This could include direct quotes or actions that have occurred, rather than subjective interpretations. The goal is to clearly articulate what is known without emotional influence.

The final step involves reflecting on both pages. Look for connections between your emotions and the facts. How do these two aspects support and illuminate each other? This integration fosters a Wise Mind, a state of being where you understand the complexity of your emotions while grounding them with logic.

Embracing Complexity

Our brains are wired to resist complexity, often defaulting to simpler, black-and-white thinking. However, the world, and our feelings within it, are richly multifaceted. By acknowledging this complexity through Wise Mind journaling, we can achieve emotional balance. It's crucial to understand that emotions don't need to make logical sense—they simply need to be felt and expressed.

Practical Tips for Success

To fully integrate this journaling practice into your life, keep your journal visible. Many with ADHD or similar conditions struggle with object permanence—out of sight, out of mind. By placing your journal where you can see it, you’re more likely to use it consistently.

Give yourself permission to experience emotions in their most raw and dramatic forms. Emotions don’t have to be rationalized—they just need to exist. Allow yourself to be despondent, if that's how you feel, rather than simply sad. This acknowledgment paves the way for genuine acceptance and understanding.

Finally, release the notion of having to choose between being emotional or logical. You can be both, simultaneously. You hold multiple truths and capabilities within you.

Support for Big Emotions

If your emotions feel overwhelming, consider exploring Megan Griffith’s free audio course, the "Mental Breakdown Survival Guide." This resource provides guidance from the depths of emotional turmoil to finding a path forward. You can access it in the links below.

Thank you for engaging with this Slacker Hack. Remember, smart work triumphs over busy work. Keep slacking with intention and utilizing these empowering strategies. By leaving a comment, subscribing, or leaving a review, you help us grow and bring you more insightful content. Stay empowered and let your emotions guide you wisely.