Meet Your ADHD Therapist: Books, Cats, Gaming, and ADHD-Friendly Systems

So, you already know I have ADHD, but what you might not know is that I also have dyslexia—which adds an extra layer of spice to my brain. That’s why it often surprises people to learn that I’m an avid reader. I absolutely devour books: if it’s under 600 pages, I’ll finish it in hours; if it’s longer, give me a couple of days (as long as I’m interested). If not, a chapter could take hours.

My favorite genres are Science Fiction and Fantasy, though don’t ask me to pronounce the made-up names or invented languages. I double-majored in German, not Elvish! Some of my top reads include The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I also tend to prefer British authors, which probably explains why I sometimes spell words the British way rather than the American one.

When I’m not curled up with a book (and snuggling one of my three cats), you might find me outside in the garden battling weeds, or online in World of Warcraft, taking down whatever enemy is threatening Azeroth that week. Gaming is not only fun, but it also helps me connect with friends across the country while giving my brain the stimulation it craves.

In addition to my cats (who occasionally wander on camera during sessions), I share my home with a Border Collie named Pixel Pi. She ensures I get plenty of daily walks, which is excellent for ADHD regulation. Speaking of regulation, one of my favorite daily practices is playing the violin, especially in the morning. For me, it’s better than coffee. In fact, I credit music with helping me survive high school; my first period was always a music elective, which set the tone for my whole day. Even now, when I begin with a short practice, everything just flows better.

Of course, despite all my skills, strategies, and professional training in ADHD therapy, I still have my struggles. For example, my laundry rarely makes it from the basket to the drawers. Honestly, I’m just waiting to buy one of those clever Etsy dressers where you can slide the whole basket right in. Because here’s the truth: fighting against your brain is exhausting, and it’s easier (and healthier) to work with it.

That’s one of my guiding principles as an ADHD therapist: sometimes we create systems to meet the world’s expectations, and sometimes we say, “This is how my brain works, and I’m leaning into it.” There are no universal rules about how life should be done. It’s up to each of us to decide when to adapt and when to let go. Because even when we create systems, those systems do take extra work and effort that other people don’t have to put in.

So in my case, my clean laundry doesn’t need to be neatly folded away in drawers, it just needs a basket with a home. That’s ADHD-friendly living: building systems that make sense for your brain, not forcing yourself into someone else’s mold.