Episode 17: Kori Tomelden, autism mom

Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Welcome to episode #17. We’re thrilled to be joined by Kori Tomelden today. Kori is a late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic mom raising a neurodiverse family. She uses her internet presence to share her neurodivergent life in a neurotypical world.

1. JN: How does your neurodiversity impact your productivity both positively and negatively?
   1. 2019 looking for strategies to support autistic daughter (ASD L3) who was becoming adult
      1. Already doing many of the strategies to support herself
      2. Entire life been told too sensitive/emotional - “highly sensitive person”?
         1. Is HSP actually codeword for ASD/ADHD?
   2. Diagnosis process:
      1. Rabbithole of self diagnostic tests
      2. ADHD inattentive/ADD showed up
      3. Professional diagnosis offputting: financial/waitlists
      4. Pursued evaluation in case medication was required
      5. Unexpected additional diagnosis of ASD L1
      6. Diagnosis in 2020
   3. Medication for depression and open to medication
   4. What would life have been like if diagnosis earlier
      1. Help with sensory overload
      2. Social skills
2. JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
   1. Communications Specialist (social media) part time job
   2. Entrepreneur/coach ( https://koriathome.com/ )
      1. Helping parents
      2. Since 2017
3. JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
   1. Work life balance: hard cut off time (stop using laptop and phone)
   2. Watch:
      1. Documentaries
      2. Jeopardy
   3. Gardening
   4. Crochet
   5. Cats x 3
4. JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
   1. Coffee
   2. Prepare launch for daughters
   3. Drop daughters to school
   4. Laundry
   5. Cats
   6. Medication
   7. Ease into workday
   8. Phone on Do not Disturb from 8am to 4pm
   9. Emails - check for urgent responses
   10. Check google calendar
   11. Check Asana - project management list
   12. Start working
5. JN: What do you do to optimise productivity during your working hours?
   1. Challenges:
      1. RSD
      2. Catastrophising
         1. Contingency plans for contingency plans
   2. Strategies that don’t work
      1. Time boxing
      2. Excess planning
   3. Strategies that work
      1. Mondays = CEO day
         1. Planning week ahead
         2. Checking calendar
         3. Educational and development time
            1. Audible + note taking
      2. Pomodoro technique
      3. Block scheduling
      4. Triggers to break out of hyper focus
         1. Playlist
      5. Focus Music for boring tasks
         1. Opera
      6. Time tracking: Toggl
      7. Themed days
6. JC: What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?
   1. Games
   2. Facebook on phone
   3. Online shopping
7. JN: How do you switch off at night?
   1. Hard stop
8. JC: What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
   1. Apps
      1. Toggl
      2. Asana
      3. Google Drive + Google Calendar
      4. Canva
9. JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?
   1. Instagram: https://instagram.com/nostalgicneurodivergent
10. JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
    1. Be gentle with yourself, be forgiving, you’re only human.