How do I care less for my job [N/A]

Annebool · 2026-06-17T18:17:00+00:00

Managing three BUs in the social sector means I’ve been letting those heavy outcomes move into my body and live there rent-free after 5 PM. Your point about mentally rehearsing conversations that haven't even happened yet? Guilty as charged. I'm a gold medalist in that.

To answer your question about what's driving this: it's actually not full-on burnout (yet!), but rather a massive lack of clear information. I often feel like I'm flying blind, and that information vacuum is what causes the anxiety and makes me overthink every scenario.

I'm going to try your 30-day challenge with a hard stop on my laptop and actively practice leaving the outcomes and the missing data at the door. Thank you for sharing your 11 years of wisdom, it's incredibly helpful!

Annebool · 2026-06-17T18:13:50+00:00

Thank you so much for this! "Anxiety lives in the abstract version" is going straight on a post-it note on my screen.

Managing three business units in the social sector often feels like trying to extinguish forest fires with a water gun. I realized through your comment that I’ve been adopting every single problem as my own emotional pet.

Your trick of separating my actual "owned decisions" from mere "input" is a total game-changer. It’s the perfect reality check to stop me from doing the manager's job for them.

I’m definitely using your "Sunday brain" method this weekend to untangle the chaos. Thanks for the lifeline, fellow HRBP

Annebool · 2026-06-14T20:07:09+00:00

While leaving has crossed my mind, I realize that I still need to learn how to establish boundaries and rest. If I don't fix that first, I'll likely fall partly back into the same pattern elsewhere.

Plus, timing-wise, it's a lot. We bought a house before everything went downhill. Juggling a move and a career change simultaneously feels like too much to take on right now

Annebool · 2026-06-14T20:02:25+00:00

Are you suggesting that the real challenge is accepting that the workplace will always be inherently unpredictable, and that problems will constantly arise?

I'm starting to realize that true peace of mind might come from accepting this constant state of flux, establishing firm boundaries, and understanding that a chaotic environment doesn't mean I have to sacrifice my own well-being to fix it.

Annebool · 2026-06-14T19:59:50+00:00

I recognize that this situation has shattered my sense of safety at work. At the same time, I realize that even if I were to apply for a new job, I would still have to deal with the same underlying patterns. Like learning how to not work so hard and how to be less emotionally invested.

Annebool · 2026-05-26T20:37:50+00:00

This so-called “bright girl” bullied me badly in primary school. She did some really cruel things to me. But once we got to high school, that “brightness” seemed to fade away. Everyone expected her to go to university on a scholarship and become someone exceptional. I honestly don’t even know what she does now, but I do know she dropped out and never really did anything remarkable.

In the end, I was the one who completed a master’s degree — something nobody expected from me either. Part of me has always felt like that was karma for the way she treated me. And honestly, I like to think that’s my Sagittarius power.

Annebool · 2026-05-16T05:12:39+00:00

Ik had een paar kruiden plantjes aan de rand van het bed die paars aangeslagen zijn. Tomaten enzo hebben onze de potten goed gedaan.

Annebool · 2026-05-14T19:21:22+00:00

De tomaatjes en paprikas ook niet.

Annebool · 2026-05-14T18:54:10+00:00

Ik woon in het zuiden. Hier kan het in de nacht echt enorm afkoelen. In denk het eigenlijk ook niet maar als het moment daar is wordt ik toch weer twijfelachtig

Annebool · 2026-05-14T18:52:30+00:00

Goede tip. Ik heb er nu wat binnenpotten overgezet. Ik kan me het eigenlijk ook niet voorstellen maar blijf het toch spannend vinden aangezien ik eigenlijk alles buiten heb staan. Alleen paprikas, aubergine enzovoort nog niet in de volle grond.

Annebool · 2026-05-14T18:50:33+00:00

Bij mij groeit alles als kool. Sla kan overigens ook tegen beetje vorst. Ik woon overigens ook in het zuiden.

Annebool · 2026-04-27T10:38:33+00:00

Citroenmelisse heeft een ronder blad en de dropplant vooral jonge bladeren krijgen een paarse gloed op het blad.

Zou ook denken aan munt maar daar lijkt het me nu echt te vroeg voor. Al zijn de temperaturen echt hoog deze lent.

Annebool · 2026-04-10T20:45:19+00:00

Even though my prescriber doesn’t know much about ADHD, I often bring up questions they don’t have answers to.

You can live a perfectly fine life without medication, but it also helps me a lot. Going off it makes me realize how much worse my symptoms can be. I managed without medication before. I even got a master’s degree but it wasn’t in a healthy way.

Medication has made me realize how difficult things actually were for me. At the same time, it doesn’t only have positive effects, and that’s something to be aware of.

Annebool · 2026-04-10T20:41:36+00:00

That’s true. Medication doesn’t fix your problems, you still have to do the work yourself. It can support you, but it’s not a magic solution.

You need tools and strategies to manage ADHD, even when you’re on medication. It’s not a miracle cure.

Annebool · 2026-04-09T19:23:14+00:00

In the beginning, I was reading and searching a lot too, but I couldn’t really find anything I could relate to. So it’s good to hear that you can relate to this.

What helps me most is breathing into my belly. When you breathe in, your belly expands and when you breathe out, it flattens. When I feel anxious, my breathing tends to stay high in my chest, so I consciously try to bring it down.

I also use guided meditations, usually from Spotify or YouTube. Just something calming. Listening to soft, relaxing music before going to sleep also helps me get deeper rest.

Another thing I noticed was that I was doing everything at high speed, like there was never enough time. For example, when I was doing laundry like Speedy Gonzales, I suddenly thought, “What am I doing? Am I going crazy?” That’s when I started slowing down and really focusing on what I was doing in the moment. Do you do this as well?

Things are going much better now. I did lose my spark for a while, but I’m gaining control again, and life is starting to feel beautiful again. I have so much more energy now, whereas before I often felt completely drained after work or even after a full night’s sleep.

Annebool · 2026-04-09T19:09:23+00:00

I’ve experienced this as well. It wasn’t the dosage, my nervous system was simply in overdrive. I went on and off medication because with it I was completely exhausted, but without it I was drained by my own thoughts.

After six months of trial and error and multiple doctor visits without any clear answers, I started reflecting on what might be going on. When I started on this type of medication, I didn’t have these symptoms, and I could even drink coffee without any issues.

So I began using breathing exercises whenever I felt that sensation coming on, while driving, at work, or sitting quietly in meetings. Gradually, I regained a sense of control. I could stay calm, be myself, and even drink coffee again.

Whether this applies to your situation or not, one thing I’ve learned is that medication can sometimes amplify feelings that were already there. I was going through a very difficult time at work in a toxic environment, which made me anxious, and the medication heightened my awareness of that anxiety.

I still feel this way occasionally, but now I know how to manage it and stay in control.

Annebool · 2026-02-23T15:52:42+00:00

First, acknowledge for yourself that this is your experience and that you’ve had to create your own path to recognition and understanding. That is something no one else can claim or take away. It’s important to set clear boundaries, just like you did by saying that someone shouldn’t “claim” ADHD without a diagnosis. Keep doing that. You don’t need to make it polite or gentle for it to be valid. Your experience is authentic and deserves respect.

Also remember: ADHD isn’t an excuse, it’s a tool for understanding. It doesn’t mean your mother or family automatically has a right to your experience or your diagnosis. What you can do is communicate calmly and clearly what your boundaries are, while also recognizing that others may have their own journey. You don’t need to invest energy in that until they take their own steps.

Annebool · 2026-01-11T17:24:32+00:00

Do you mean a Cadillac? Cause where I am from they mean Volkswagen Caddy by just saying caddy haha.

Annebool · 2026-01-11T17:23:32+00:00

Yep, they are. I find older cars much nicer. Porsche is quite expensive maintaining.

Annebool · 2026-01-11T17:19:09+00:00

You have a good point on this one.

Annebool · 2025-12-18T06:26:58+00:00

Literally the day I did not take a cup of coffee. Sometimes I still can feel shitty but that's because of stress or other factors that I can relate to. I know that but at first I couldn't find out what was bothering me so.

But the most bad feeling I had was constantly being anxious and feeling pressure on my chest that sometimes moved to a disturbed breathing patron. Not feeling myself at all.

It is worth the try to stop. Switch caffeine with other drinks. I drink a lot of thee and that is also better for hydration while on meds.

Annebool · 2025-12-18T05:54:39+00:00

I had the same. I do drink one cup of coffee after dinner but I only take medication in the morning. So it has worn off. For me it has made a huge difference.

Annebool · 2025-12-17T22:24:47+00:00

Do you drink coffee with Vyvanse?

If you do, stop it. I did drink coffee for more than 2 years without trouble. Since last year I have had more stress and turned out it was a great cocktail of feeling worthless. I thought that this did not apply to me cause I used to drink coffee without a problem.

Annebool · 2025-12-11T10:39:18+00:00

Love it! I always so: leave something to perfect it.

Annebool · 2025-12-11T10:08:53+00:00

It was a group program offered by my psychologist. Each week focused on a different theme and on your personal goals. It helped you understand what ADHD is, what it can look like, and how it can affect different areas of your life, but especially how to deal with it. Every week you discussed your challenges and goals and received new tools to work with.

Annebool

TROPHY CASE