Diary of a Mid-30s Girlie!

Why do ADHD girlies keep stuff we don’t even like? Why does minimalism feel like a personal attack? And how do we declutter without spiraling into an identity crisis?In this episode, I break down the real reasons traditional decluttering advice doesn’t work for neurodivergent brains — and what actually does. From my fake beef with Marie Kondo to the emotional landmines in your bathroom, we’re going deep on how to create a space that supports who you are becoming, not just who you’ve been!You’ll get 7 ADHD-friendly tips that are practical and rooted in compassion — no beige boxes or shame spirals required!Love,DP.S. let’s chat in the comments :)🧠 Grab my ADHD-friendly Notion template here!💬 Wanna get an hour with me on my Hot Girl Helpline? YOU CAN!💌 Subscribe to ADHD Girlie on Substack!🕒 Timestamps + Takeaways00:00:03 – The Hoarder–Minimalist ParadoxWhy do ADHD girlies keep things we don’t even like? Let’s talk about the inner war between craving calm and living in clutter.00:01:11 – Why ADHD Brains Struggle With ClutterIt’s not laziness — it’s pattern recognition overload. We see too many possibilities in everything.00:01:59 – Story Time: The Toilet Paper Tube RattleA baby toy, a cord organizer, a trash item… or all three? This is how our brains spiral.00:02:39 – The Hobby Graveyard & Guilt PileWhen your space becomes a time capsule of everything you never finished.00:03:47 – Minimalism Is Not an AestheticLet’s separate the beige influencer vibe from what minimalism actually means for ADHD baddies.00:04:56 – Overstimulation, Memory, and Crusty VibesWhy clutter makes us shut down and how “leaving it out so you remember” totally backfires.00:06:04 – My (Fake) Beef with Marie KondoHer system works — just not for brains like ours. Here’s why.00:07:14 – 7 ADHD-Friendly Decluttering TipsThe real meat of the episode. Grounded, practical, and laced with compassion.00:07:26 – Tip 1: Declutter Your HeartLet go of past identities. Own your future. Your space should reflect who you’re becoming.00:09:12 – Tip 2: High Leverage Spaces FirstPrioritize the areas draining your energy the most — not the ones that just nag at you.00:11:25 – Tip 3: The Overwhelm vs. Underwhelm ParadoxBig piles = burnout. One drawer = meh. Here’s how to find your sweet spot.00:12:48 – Tip 4: Time Blindness & the Dory EffectWhy timers don’t always work — and what does. (Smartwatches to the rescue.)00:15:02 – Tip 5: Externalize EverythingTalk to yourself, your items, or your AI. Out-loud processing is a game changer.00:17:03 – Tip 6: Delay Decision FatigueUse layered “maybe” piles to avoid emotional shutdown. Forget perfect, aim for momentum.00:19:54 – Tip 7: Remember Your CriteriaYour working memory will forget your goals. Set future-you reminders in advance.00:21:23 – Decluttering Is Spiritual, ActuallyYour stuff either reinforces your past or helps unlock your next chapter.00:21:27 – Wanna Work Together?Coaching spots are open. Hybrid support coming soon. Let’s declutter your life and your mind. Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe

EDITOR’S NOTE: while this post reflects my feelings about AI in early 2025, it does not reflect how I feel in 2026. I will address this change of heart in a future post.🎧 Diary of a Mid-30s Girlie #9If you’re a woman with ADHD, a laptop, and a million ideas a minute — this one’s for you.In this episode, I’m breaking down how women with ADHD are uniquely built for the New Internet — and how AI tools like ChatGPT can help us become the most prolific, magnetic creators of this era.for all my fellow Goblin Girls just trying to get it together We’re talking creative workflows, who gets to be an It Girl in the Age of AI, how ADHD might be an unfair advantage in the Ideas Economy, and how to use AI without becoming beige, boring, or robotic.Whether you’ve struggled to execute your ideas, organize your brilliance, or just keep up with life — this episode is your permission slip to leverage your brain the way it was meant to shine.Love,DP.S. let’s chat in the comments :)🧠 Grab my ADHD-friendly Notion template here!💬 Wanna get an hour with me on my Hot Girl Helpline? YOU CAN!💌 Subscribe to ADHD Girlie on Substack!share with another Goblin Girl in need ⏱️ Timestamps & Takeaways:00:00 – ADHD girlies are built for the New Internet00:33 – The secret isn't organization — it's ideas + AI execution01:33 – What actually makes someone an It Girl?02:09 – It Girls never do it alone — they have teams03:43 – Why ADHD girlies haven't had access to support... until now03:58 – Maybe your brain was never the problem — it was structure05:27 – The ADHD creative advantage: popcorn ideas06:35 – Enter AI: finally a system that keeps up07:50 – How I used ChatGPT to write this podcast (and you can too)10:47 – AI should help you, not replace you11:42 – Protect your voice!!!13:18 – Most people are using AI wrong (and how to do it better)15:35 – Train your tools — don’t let the tools train you17:10 – 4 types of girlies who will thrive in the AI era20:20 – This is our moment — flip the script!! Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe

⏱️ TIME STAMPS, TAKEAWAYS + PRACTICAL TIPS(00:00:03) – New Year Momentum (or lack thereof)* Theme: Resolutions lose steam fast* Takeaway: Wanting change is still valid even if motivation wanes—pivot into sustainable mindset shifts(00:00:42) – Out: Fawning & Fixing | In: Dignified Discomfort* Takeaway: You don’t owe fake niceness to people who are rude; choose integrity over people-pleasing* Practical Tip: In the moment, ask “What did you mean by that?” instead of laughing it off(00:03:18) – Out: Over-Researching | In: Step-by-Step Action* Takeaway: Research feels productive but can be a form of procrastination* Practical Tip: Identify just your next step—then do it. No more 27-tab rabbit holes(00:04:52) – Out: Perfectionism | In: Create & Ship* Takeaway: You don’t need to be a master to make meaningful work. Let taste mismatch be a teacher, not a blocker* Practical Tip: Make it “volume over vanity”—prioritize output over optics(00:06:22) – Out: Slowness | In: Speed* Takeaway: Close the gap between idea and execution. The faster you move, the more momentum you build* Practical Tip: Apply “money loves speed” to all areas—test fast, learn faster(00:07:11) – Out: Procrastination | In: Preparation* Story Time: Packing early for a flight completely changed her experience* Practical Tip: Shift from “last-minute mode” to “done-early ease”—future you will thank you(00:09:11) – Out: Need for Certainty | In: Tolerance for Ambiguity* Takeaway: Wanting guarantees keeps you on the bench. You grow by doing, not by knowing* Practical Tip: When you're hesitating, ask: “What if I just played the game today?”(00:11:10) – Out: Pie-in-the-Sky Goals | In: Micro Wins* Takeaway: Grand visions overwhelm ADHD brains. Focus on small, repeatable victories* Practical Tip: Win the day. Walk, cook at home, upload one video—stack tiny triumphs(00:12:21) – Out: Nighttime Scrolling | In: Nighttime Reading* Takeaway: End-of-day habits set the tone. Make evenings intentional, not dissociative* Practical Tip: Set a “Goblin Girl Hour” cap or sub in a physical book before bed(00:13:19) – Out: More | In: Better* Takeaway: Curation over accumulation. Love what you have = use and maintain what you have* Practical Tip: Touch everything you own this year. If you don’t love it, why keep it?(00:14:34) – Out: Instant Results | In: Reps & Progress* Takeaway: Mastery comes through iteration. Growth compounds when you stop chasing “the one”* Practical Tip: Make 100 good things instead of one perfect thing(00:15:46) – Out: Perfect First Draft | In: The Reissue* Takeaway: Release now, revise later. You’re allowed to evolve in public* Practical Tip: Think like an artist: drop the single, remix it later if needed(00:17:29) – Out: Rigid Routines | In: Minimum Viable Practices* Takeaway: Perfection collapses under pressure. Flexible consistency works better* Practical Tip: Anchor habits to needs—like “laundry when full” instead of “every Wednesday”(00:18:23) – Out: Complacency | In: Intention* Takeaway: Going with the flow can become passivity. Intention brings direction* Practical Tip: Ask: “Why am I doing this?” before you press play on autopilot(00:19:12) – Out: Rigidity | In: Surrender* Story Time: Letting go of needing to sit next to Gabe—and the universe made it happen* Practical Tip: Get clear on what you want. Let go of how it happens(00:20:44) – Out: Isolation | In: Community* Takeaway: People need people—even introverted extroverts* Practical Tip: Reach out. Nurture relationships. Join things. Create shared moments(00:21:28) – Out: Numbing | In: Presence* Takeaway: Zoning out can look like self-care, but it’s often a symptom of deeper dissatisfaction* Practical Tip: When you reach for a vice, ask yourself: “What am I avoiding feeling?”(00:22:34) – Out: Checkmark Mentality | In: Leverageable Action* Takeaway: Not all tasks deserve your time. Some are busywork dressed as productivity* Practical Tip: Ask: “Does this move the needle?” before doing a task(00:23:38) – Out: Emotional Sponge Mode | In: Clear Channel Flow* Takeaway: Feel everything, absorb nothing. Process what’s yours, let the rest pass through* Practical Tip: Try “label & release” journaling to move through amplified emotions(00:24:22) – Out: Bad Posture | In: Good Posture* Takeaway: Posture affects everything—even emotions, digestion, and jaw tension* Practical Tip: Tongue on roof of mouth. Shoulders relaxed. Realign as a form of self-respect(00:25:11) – Out: Optics | In: Essence* Takeaway: Prioritize how life feels, not how it looks. Be real, not performative* Practical Tip: Ask: “Am I doing this to feel good or look good?”(00:26:44) – Out: Scattered Spaghetti | In: Funneled Focus* Takeaway: Marry your passions into one container. Stack your skills, don’t scatter them* Practical Tip: Pick one “home base” project. Build depth before you branch(00:27:52) – Out: Raw Dogging Life | In: Taking Your Meds* Takeaway: If something helps you function better, it’s worth consistency—even if subtle* Practical Tip: Track how you feel with and without support. Patterns will reveal truth(00:29:00) – Out: Taking Life for Granted | In: Making It Magic* Takeaway: Even temporary things deserve reverence. Magic is made, not found* Practical Tip: Ask: “How can I honor today?” instead of waiting for someday(00:31:01) – Out: Settling | In: Luxury & Ease* Takeaway: You’re allowed to want more. Struggle isn’t required to be a good person* Practical Tip: Start small. Upgrade the candle. Use the good soap. Speak abundance daily(00:33:25) – In for 2025: Spiritual Connection* Takeaway: Reconnecting to a higher power can transform your energy, purpose, and peace* Practical Tip: Start small: gratitude journaling, prayer walks, or spiritual reading Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 7:fall off… get back on!Timestamps & Takeaways(00:00:00) – IntroTakeaway: Sometimes we drop off — and that’s okay. Let’s explore why, and how to return without shame.(00:00:40) – Why I Fell OffTakeaway: Just because you were gaining consistency doesn’t mean a system is fully built. Early-stage routines still require full energy.(00:02:20) – The Plane MetaphorTakeaway: Honor the energy it takes to get something in the air. Don't assume cruising altitude too soon.(00:03:18) – The Realization: Self-Sabotage & Fear of PeaceTakeaway: Self-sabotage isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s subtle: blowing up flow the moment it feels safe. Peace can be triggering if chaos is your baseline.(00:06:11) – The Work Shift ExperimentTakeaway: If ease and readiness feel unfamiliar, you may subconsciously chase the chaos your nervous system is used to. Awareness is step one.(00:07:40) – Faux Beginners & False StartsTakeaway: Mastery requires sustained engagement. Reinventing yourself repeatedly keeps you feeling productive, but delays actual progress.(00:08:40) – Let’s Reframe: Not a Crash — Just a FallTakeaway: Plane crash energy = guilt and perfectionism. Horsefall energy = human and recoverable. The story you tell yourself shapes your return.(00:09:40) – Final Thought: Just Put Your Foot in the StirrupTakeaway: Progress doesn’t require perfection. Just showing up, even clumsily, builds the momentum back.Practical Tips from This Episode* Respect the Takeoff Phase:Don’t add new projects while you're still finding flow with a current one. Let something hit cruising altitude first.* Do Shadow Work Regularly:Self-sabotage often hides in your subconscious. Patterns like fearing peace or craving chaos don’t go away just because you named them once.* Experiment Like a Coach:Even small tweaks — like getting ready earlier — can reveal huge behavioral insights.* Reframe the Fall:Instead of guilt-tripping over “falling off,” view it like falling off a horse: common, recoverable, even expected.* Start Small, But Start:Your comeback doesn’t need to be a grand rebrand or perfect post. Just one foot in the stirrup is enough. Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe

🎙 Diary of a Mid-Thirties Girlie — Episode 5You don’t need a perfect plan, you need a North Star and the audacity to raw-dog life, b*tch.Hey Girlies,this week we’re taking a closer look at DOING THE THING! You know, the thing you’ve made all kinds of plans and systems around but never seem to actually execute on.The thing you think about in the shower and on the way to work, but can somehow never seem to find time for... My experience of late? You’re not doing it because you’re not yet OBSESSED.So spare me the trite work/life balance speeches and let’s figure out how you can find your reason to get up in the morning. It’s time to GO ALL IN!All this and more this week on “Diary of a Mid-30s Girlie,” the official podcast for the last b*tch in her friend group to get her sh*t together!love you and AS ALWAYS, see you in the comments😘 💖,D🕒 TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro00:30 – The Notion Grocery List Spiral 🛒01:59 – The YouTube Delay Years 📹02:41 – The Weight Loss Plan That Never Worked ⚖️03:38 – You Don’t Need SOPs for Your Life 🧼04:46 – Organization vs. Movement05:56 – Chaos as a Power Source ⚡️07:21 – Simplicity Actually Works08:00 – The Romance of Obsession ✨09:10 – You Don’t Need a Map. You Need a Compass. 🧭10:50 – Manifestation & MLK have a shared same message11:50 – What Changed When She Committed 💡13:03 – Obsession > Discipline14:05 – Burnout ≠ Spending Energy15:47 – What Do You Think About on the Toilet? 🚽17:00 – Restructure Life Around the Obsession18:06 – Why You Plan Forever18:36 – “I’m not studying the game anymore. I’m playing it.” 18:44 – Coaching Program Launch! 💬🧠 Practical Tips1. Don’t optimize the dream to death.→ If your Notion board is prettier than your progress… you’re probably stalling.2. Done imperfectly > Planned perfectly.→ You’ll learn more by doing the thing wrong than by never doing it at all.3. Chase clarity by acting, not organizing.→ You don’t need a master plan. You need to move and course-correct as you go.4. Ask this when overwhelmed:“What’s the next best step I can take today that moves me toward my North Star?”5. Reframe the chaos as main character energy.→ You’re not behind — you’re raw-dogging life, baby. Own it.6. Obsession is more powerful than discipline.→ Find the thing you think about constantly… and structure your life around that.7. Simplify decisions with a single filter.→ Instead of 500 boxes to check, ask:“Will this nourish me or deplete me?”“Does this bring me closer to what I want?”8. Ditch the 500-step map. Use your inner compass.→ Your path will shift. Trust your ability to pivot — not predict.9. Let your priorities reorder your life.→ Don’t fit your dream around your to-do list. Fit your to-do list around your dream.10. Start now. You can always re-release later.→ Taylor’s Version exists. So can Your Version 2.0. Lo-fi is valid. Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe

🎧 EPISODE 4: Play the Game Now (or Lose Automatically)🗓 Runtime: ~19 min🎙 Hosted by DanielleThis week we’re taking a closer look at FEAR, specifically the fears that surround putting your creative work out into the world! And, more specifically, what it feels like to see another creator put out content based on YOUR WORK! Did this creator cross the line when making a video inspired by one of my own? We’ll get into it! OH, and, as per usual, I deliver your weekly dose of vitamin D… aka Danielle telling you to DO it mama💖 All this and more this week on “Diary of a Mid-30s Girlie,” the official podcast for the last b*tch in her friend group to get her sh*t together! So let’s dive in! love you and AS ALWAYS, see you in the comments😘 And if you gkt to this part of this episode, i said i would put this in here lololol, enjoy😂😅 💖, D🔎 find me on other socials if you want @daniellecolada⏱ TIMESTAMPS + TAKEAWAYS00:00 – Title vibes & intro“Creative ownership and why it doesn’t matter if someone ‘steals’ your work.”👀 This episode explores jealousy, missed waves, and the magic of ideas.01:00 – Seeing your work show up on someone else’s channel“Time Flex Tier Technique” in another creator’s title💥 Initial shock → nervous system flare → realization: she did give proper credit🧘‍♀️ And yet, the emotion lingers… why?03:40 – Enter: the unexpected cocktail of feelings“Jealousy. Grief. Anger. Not at her… at myself.”💔 Sometimes your shadow doesn’t show up until it’s triggered — even when the trigger isn’t malicious.04:50 – Scarcity mindset + missed opportunity spiral“I didn’t ride the wave the way I should have.”😞 She acted. I hesitated. And the algorithm kept moving.06:00 – “She deserves what she has.”It’s not that she did anything wrong — it’s the reflection that hits hard🌊 Danielle’s Google Calendar video was her “rocket ship moment”… and she froze.07:00 – On being the inventor vs. the executorTiago Forte didn’t invent Notion, but “Second Brain” made him a thought leader💡 You don’t have to build the tool — you just need to offer the system that resonates.08:00 – Deep truth: this is about purpose“I have never felt so much purpose in my life as I do now.”💬 Danielle shares her heart — and the weight of knowing she could have leaned in sooner.09:00 – The hockey stick effect of content growthSlow, slow, slow… BAM. One video changes everything.📉 Danielle’s video popped — but fear blocked the follow-through.10:00 – Just because you missed it then doesn’t mean you can’t act now💪 Regret isn’t useless — it’s data. Use it.10:15 – The woo part: ideas have lives of their own“If you don’t go into labor, the idea finds another mother.”👼 Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert, Rick Rubin, and more — Danielle believes ideas want to be born and will move through someone else if you delay too long.11:00 – From childhood to Taylor Swift: the remix is real“I thought I invented clap-on lights at age 7.”🎶 She tells a haunting story about writing a song with eerie lyrical parallels to August — three years before it dropped.13:30 – The idea is going to live somewhere“If you don’t put it out, it will find someone else who will.”💫 Which leads to a new mantra: Play the game now… or lose automatically.14:20 – Imperfect action > perfect delayDanielle shares how the low-key, lo-fi approach helped her actually launch this podcast🎤 Cheap mic, AirPods for aesthetic, green screen backdrop = done > perfect16:30 – You can always re-release later“Taylor’s Version, anyone?”🌀 Your creations are living, editable, update-able. Nothing’s set in stone anymore.17:30 – Stop strategizing. Start moving.“You cannot plan and plot your way into excellence.”🔥 Especially if you’re ADHD — you’ll think your way out of your magic. Trust your instincts and create before you’re ready.18:30 – Final note to her people“You don’t need to win. But you do need to play.”💬 Danielle invites listeners into the comments and affirms that she reads every single one.🛠 PRACTICAL TIPS FROM THIS EPISODE✅ Release things before they’re perfect — polish can come later✅ Use missed opportunities as motivation, not shame✅ Create now, refine later (a la Taylor’s Version)✅ Don’t hoard your best ideas — act on them✅ Lo-fi can still be legendary✅ Embrace intuitive momentum — especially if you're neurodivergent✅ If you’re scared of being seen, press publish anyway✅ “Play the game now or lose automatically” — let that be your new creative mantra💬 PROMPT FOR LISTENERSHas there ever been an idea you sat on… and then someone else put it out first?How would you act differently next time? Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe

🎧 EPISODE #3🗓 Originally published : Feb 18, 2024 | YouTube⏱️ Runtime: ~18 mins🎙 Hosted by Danielle ColadaHey Girlies!Today we’re examing the potentially pointless things we’ve shoved into our “productive” morning routines, specifically JOURNALING! Do I believe journaling is an excellent tool to have in your back pocket to whip out as needed? ABSOLUTELY! Do I think it’s something you need to force yourself to do every single morning just because your favorite productivty girlie on YouTube pretends she does it everyday while enjoying her perfectly aesthetic morning latte? ABOLUTELY NOT. Essentially, find out what works FOR YOU and don’t be afraid to think outside the box… even if the “journaling” ritual you come up with doesn’t end up looking like everyone elses!And, if you have ADHD, you just might wanna give my voice-journaling practice a try!All this and more this week on “Diary of a Mid-30s Girlie,” the official podcast for the last b*tch in her friend group to get her sh*t together! So let’s dive in! love you and AS ALWAYS, see you in the comments😘 💖,D🔎 find me on other socials if you want @daniellecolada⏱ TIMESTAMPS + TAKEAWAYS00:00 – Journaling: Advil vs. Vitamin💊 Journaling should be used as needed to process emotion, not forced into your morning routine out of guilt or obligation.00:51 – Journaling becomes pointless when you’re just trying to keep up a streak🧠 If you're not emotionally activated, there’s often nothing worth writing. ADHD brains hate pointless busywork.02:20 – The 3-page myth & why it made things worse✍️ The popular idea of stream-of-consciousness journaling (like The Artist's Way) isn’t helpful if it becomes performative.03:40 – What journaling is good for🌀 Use journaling when emotions hit, not on a fixed schedule. Emotional processing > streak maintenance.05:00 – Emotions are rarely on a timer💡 For ADHD brains, timing matters. Self-reflection hits hardest in the moment — not when you’re trying to squeeze it into a checklist.06:00 – The best productivity advice? Do less.🧘‍♀️ Simplicity creates energy. A three-hour morning routine might feel productive, but it can actually leave you drained before your day even starts.07:10 – Danielle’s minimalist morning routine🌅 No fluff. No chaos. Just flow.08:10 – Journaling didn’t serve her goals🔍 Just because it works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s for you. Don’t force what isn’t aligned.08:55 – Danielle’s rule: Leverageism™⚖️ Find the highest impact habit. Don’t stack a dozen low-return tasks just because they look good in a morning vlog.09:45 – The ADHD way to journal: voice notes🎙 Voice notes let you process emotions, talk through decisions, and brain dump in real time — friction-free.10:40 – Danielle’s voice journaling workflow📲 ADHD-friendly, portable, and deeply therapeutic.💡 Pro tip: Use this method while walking for a next-level creative reset.11:57 – A real-life health anxiety story🗣 Sometimes, the person you need to talk to… is you.13:16 – Bonus: Journaling helps content ideas surface📝 Voice journaling can double as idea generation. Just hit record and talk it out.14:00 – Reminder: It doesn’t need to be ‘Dear Diary’🫶 No pressure. No grammar. Just release.15:35 – The big mindset shift💡 But what if you’re allowed to do things your way — even if it looks nothing like a YouTube morning routine?16:45 – Journaling can be anything expressive🎨 The medium doesn’t matter. The processing does.17:10 – Final thought: Stop ‘should-ing’ on yourself💬 You deserve to feel supported by your systems — not shamed by them.🛠 PRACTICAL TIPS FROM THIS EPISODE✅ Use journaling like medicine — only when needed✅ Skip “three pages” if you have nothing to say✅ Voice note your spirals, wins, decisions, and doubts✅ Set up frictionless tools (like one-tap widgets or dictate apps)✅ Walk and talk your ideas into existence✅ Edit later — just capture in the moment✅ Redefine journaling in a way that works for you💬 PROMPT FOR LISTENERSHow do you naturally process your emotions and thoughts?Is there a way to make it even easier or more aligned? Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe

🎧 EPISODE #2🗓 Originally published: Feb 9, 2024 | YouTube⏱️ Runtime: ~12 mins🎙 Hosted by Danielle ColadaWake up girlies, it’s a ✨BRAND NEW✨ episode of “Diary of a Mid-30s Girlie,” the official podcast for the last b*tch in her friend group to get her sh*t together!Come hang as I dive into what it’s like to still be FITFO when the whole world makes you feel like you’re behind. This week we’re DEBUNKING THE MYTH OF BEING LAZY, the only true 4-letter word in my book. In short, you’re not lazy. The real reason you’re not getting anywhere is because you keep pumping the breaks while revving your engine. There are several different ways to start taking the bricks out of your backpack, so let’s dive in! love you and see you in the comments😘 💖, D 🔎 find me on other socials if you want @daniellecolada⏱ TIMESTAMPS + TAKEAWAYS00:00 – Intro & today’s theme You don’t need to push harder — you need to stop getting in your own way.00:27 – Revving the engine = wearing yourself out 🚘 Constant effort + mental resistance = burnout. Progress comes from removing blocks, not just pushing forward.01:00 – When your self-worth is tied to productivity 💡 ADHD can distort your sense of effort vs. outcome. You’re not lazy — you’re overclocked and overwhelmed.01:30 – Productivity rabbit holes 🧠 Newsflash: You’re not lazy. If you want to do something but can’t, something’s in the way.01:50 – Tip #1: Declutter your distractions 🧹 Clutter = cognitive load. Even visual chaos drains energy. You don’t need a minimalist aesthetic — but you do need peace.03:00 – Mental clutter is real clutter 💡 The things you think you should be doing pull focus, even when you’re not doing them. Clear your mind like you’d clear your desk.03:45 – Don’t do it all at once ✨ ADHD-friendly tip: declutter one drawer at a time. Avoid all-or-nothing spirals.04:50 – Bonus tool: Open Tab Inventory 💡 Not everything you're thinking about is an action item. Separate thoughts from tasks. Name your tabs. Filter them.05:45 – Tip #2: Identify & eliminate friction points 🔥 Friction = anything that slows down or blocks momentum. Reduce steps between you and your next move.06:15 – Your air fryer needs a clear counter 💡 Make the easy thing actually easy. Set up your environment to support your intentions.06:22 – Tip #3: Minimize your routines 🌅 Simple > Perfect. Wake up → bathroom → coffee → sit down to work. That’s it. No drama.07:10 – Leverage your sleepy brainwaves 💡 The faster you start your important work after waking, the easier it is to enter flow. (Especially if you prepped the night before!)07:44 – Tip #4: Let go of perfection as you rebuild 🫶 Habits need room to grow. If you mess up your night routine? Adjust, don’t spiral. Flexibility keeps momentum alive.08:50 – Tip #5: Energetically cut the cords 🔮 Reclaim your energy. Let go of guilt, people-pleasing, and emotional entanglements that aren’t your job to manage.09:56 – Tip #6: Uncover your limiting beliefs (aka shadow work)🪞Shadow work = becoming aware of the hidden beliefs running the show. You can’t challenge a belief you haven’t named.11:00 – “Even if nothing comes of this, I’m still glad I did it.💡 Joyful action is never wasted. You are not entitled to the fruits of your labor — only the labor itself. (Bhagavad Gita…ish.)11:56 – Closing out + community invitation 💌 This is not just a podcast — it’s a co-created space. Questions? Requests? Let’s build it together.🛠 PRACTICAL TIPS FROM THIS EPISODE✅ Declutter your space one drawer at a time✅ Track your open mental tabs (Notion, notes app, or paper)✅ Identify friction points & eliminate extra steps✅ Create ADHD-friendly mini routines (no 5am bootcamp required)✅ Reclaim your energy: release guilt, people-pleasing, emotional clutter✅ Question the stories you’re telling yourself — especially the ones you didn’t realize were there💬 PROMPT FOR LISTENERS:What’s one brake you’ve been pressing without realizing it?What’s one friction point you can remove this week? Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe

🎧 Episode 1: I know u still haven’t “reset” for 2024🗓 Originally published: Feb 2, 2024 | YouTube🎙 Hosted by Danielle ColadaWake up girlies, it’s the ✨FIRST EVER✨ episode of “Diary of a Mid-30s Girlie,” the official podcast for the last b*tch in her friend group to get her sh*t together! Come hang as I dive into what it’s like to still be FITFO when the whole world makes you feel like you’re behind.This week we’re talking the big annual rest we didn’t do at the start of 2024, what I think ADHDers should be trying for productivity INSTEAD of Deep Work, how I don’t really love living in Los Angeles (yet?), and how it’s never to late to start all over!love you and see you in the comments😘💖, D 🔎 find me on other socials if you want @daniellecolada⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome to the podcast!00:40 – pressure, perfectionism + why this podcast exists03:08 – What it’s like being a Mid-30s Girlie + the planner that hurt my feelings lol05:56 – I still haven’t done my New Year reset10:00 – Why January 1st might actually be a scam11:51 – ADHD vs. unrealistic timelines12:58 – Why Cal Newport’s Deep Work didn’t work for me14:49 – Meet your new bestie: Shallow Work17:38 – The voice note productivity hack19:18 – You can have a new beginning anytime you want21:28 – Let’s build this together!💭 TAKEAWAYS1. Perfectionism is the enemy of consistency.* Putting too much pressure on “perfect” content (or resets) leads to paralysis.* Done > perfect, always.2. You're not the only one still resetting in February or beyond* Most people struggle with January resets, but shame keeps it quiet.* It’s okay to be behind — there’s no timer on transformation.3. The “deep work” productivity model isn’t ADHD-friendly.* Blocking 3-hour chunks of focus time? 🫠 Not realistic for most of us.* Trying to copy neurotypical routines often leads to burnout.4. Enter: Shallow Work.* Small, low-pressure bursts of effort (5–20 mins at a time) = way more sustainable.* It’s okay to declutter one drawer. Or update one line in your Notion. It still counts.5. You don’t need to “start over” to start.* Grand, sweeping resets are overrated (and unrealistic).* Instead, ask: What’s one tiny thing I can do today that makes things feel lighter?💁🏻‍♀️ PRACTICAL TIPS:Try a 10-minute tidy.Set a timer and see what you can declutter or knock out in just 10 minutes. Then stop. That’s it.Voice note your to-dos.ADHD brains often process ideas better out loud. Talk into your Notes app and organize later.Create your own New Year.Spring is actually a more natural time to reset. Honor your energy, not the calendar.Batch “shallow work” moments.Waiting for a ride? Standing in line? That’s a perfect moment to knock out a micro-task with no emotional weight.Ditch the all-or-nothing thinking.You don’t need to redo your whole life today. You just need to start. A little is not less — it’s the path. Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe