Was I Really the Dumbest Person in the Room? Growing Up Homeschooled

This week on the pod, I sit down with long-time friend Hannah to unpack her deeply personal journey through homeschooling, neurodivergence, and self-discovery. Growing up in a chaotic Christian homeschool environment with six siblings, Hannah reflects on what worked, what didn’t, and how a lack of structure and support shaped her sense of self-worth. She opens up about entering adulthood feeling unprepared, navigating community college with massive anxiety, and later discovering she’s neurodivergent, a revelation that reframed her entire childhood. Now working in education and pursuing behavioral-tech certification, Hannah shares how therapy, understanding, and self-compassion have helped her rebuild confidence and reclaim her love of learning. This conversation is raw, insightful, and incredibly validating for anyone who felt “behind” growing up homeschooled.Key PointsBig family life, AWANA memories, and mime team cultureHow chaos, parental conflict, and lack of structure shaped her educationFeeling “behind” and “dumb” the long-term effects of educational neglectNavigating college without foundational skillsDiscovering she’s neurodivergent at 30 & how therapy reframed everythingSensory issues, coping strategies, overstimulation, and emotional regulationHomeschooling today vs. “the bubble” we grew up inTimestamps00:00 Welcome to the Ex Homeschoolers Club00:32 Childhood Memories and AWANA Days07:39 Homeschooling and Family Dynamics12:10 Struggles with Education and Self-Worth16:23 College Challenges and Career Choices20:39 Discovering Neurodivergence and Therapy29:42 Managing Overstimulation30:30 Dealing with Everyday Frustrations33:10 Understanding Neurodivergence37:06 Homeschooling Reflections43:29 Big Family Dynamics46:39 Advice for Future Homeschoolers49:48 Pursuing New Learning Opportunities53:20 Homeschool Memories55:45 Final Thoughts and EncouragementIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at [email protected]