Black Friday & ADHD - How to Avoid Impulsive Spending

Black Friday is basically engineered to hijack an ADHD brain. Countdown timers, flashing banners, urgency emails — it’s the perfect storm for impulsive buying and dopamine-driven decisions. In this short solo episode, Clinical Psychologist and ADHD specialist Michaela Thomas shares three quick, compassionate strategies to help you navigate Black Friday with intention, self-trust, and calm, rather than getting pulled into impulsive spending. You’ll learn how to pause before you buy, check your emotional state, and create a tiny, intentional “YES list” that keeps you grounded instead of overwhelmed. Whether you’ve overspent before or simply want to approach the season with more steadiness, this episode offers practical tools you can use today — without shame, restriction, or perfectionism. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why Black Friday is especially triggering for ADHD brains How urgency and dopamine hijack your decision-making The 10-second pause that protects you from impulsive buys How to spot when you’re “emotion spending” vs. choosing consciously How a micro 3-item “intentional yes” list keeps you grounded How to honour your needs and your values during the sales If you struggle with impulsivity, emotional regulation or burnout… You’re not alone — and you’re not broken. These tendencies are part of your wiring, not a personal flaw. You might need support in learning to slow down for long enough to notice how you feel so you can regulate your emotions and nervous system. Connect with Michaela: Instagram: @the_thomas_connection Website: thethomasconnection.co.uk Join the newsletter for tools on slowing down with compassion on www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/newsletter