Coach Abigail Taylor

27/11/2022

If you're finding yourself frustrated for not being able to live up to the energy level you feel on your best days, keep in mind, those days should NOT be your baseline!

It's common for many neurodivergents to attempt to run at a 10 at all times because we know we're "capable," we feel a need to overcompensate and/or constantly prove our value, rather than recognizing our natural limitations.

Unfortunately, trying to run at a 10 all the time leads to burnout and shame.

No one can, nor should have to reach such a high bar - constantly.

Start taking notes of what an average day for you actually looks like. Take into account the need for down time. Begin making "good enough" your baseline.

This should help you feel pleasantly surprised on your best days, but also feel way less shame on the days when your energy is low.

Focus on creating the day you need, not necessarily the day you wish you could have.

Remember, you are worthy just as you are! Always.

If this resonates with you, drop a 💖🧠🌈 in the comments or share your experience!

Interested in coaching? Send an email to [email protected]

22/11/2022

Holidays can be a stressful time for many neurodivergents, even if you enjoy them! Planning ahead for social events can help us be more intentional with our time and energy and help us avoid conversations or interactions that drain us. We can also better prepare for how to cope before, during, and after the event.

For example, if you know that you'll need a few hours after the event to wind down, you can mentally plan ahead of time to leave the event at a certain time. Knowing your needs will help you avoid staying later than what suits you best.

Continue to ask yourself these questions if you find yourself signing up to bring things or facilitate parts of the event. Are you saying yes for the right reasons? Do you actually have the time or energy? Does it align with your reasons for attending the event to begin with?

Remember it's ok to take care of yourself at all times, including the holidays!

What other tips or thoughts help you prepare for the holidays? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send a DM 💖🌈

26/10/2022

So much of who we are is connected with how our brain functions 🌈🧠

Of course not every ND has the same personality — but you’ll find these traits sprinkled throughout most neurodivergences.

Which characteristics do you see in yourself? 💫💖

23/08/2022

Skin-picking is common among NDs…

it just isn’t so commonly talked about.

Mostly because it’s not very pretty 🙊

but it doesn’t have to be so ugly & maddening either 🙉

Here are some tips for how I have come to deal with my own compulsions/hyperfixations —

but it’s helpful to understand the root cause in order to find helpful solutions for you.

The reason for skin-picking can vary from person-to-person, but here are some of the main reasons why neurodivergent people tend to pick at their skin:

• Stimming (Sensory Stimulation/Regulation)
• Hyperactivity/Low Impulse Control
• Hyperfocusing/Hyperfixating
• Disassociation
• Obsessions/Compulsions
• Stress/anxiety

These causes can be found among autistics, ADHDers, people with OCD, and other neurodivergences.

Though, there is a separate disorder known as Excoriation that is specific to skin-picking.

If you’re concerned about skin-picking, I strongly encourage you to talk with your doctor/psychiatrist, because there are people who report that only medicine has proven to work for them.

If you have any tips or thoughts, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send a DM 💭💖🌈

09/06/2022

Happening Tomorrow!! 🤩

"Dressing for Dopamine" - a Virtual Seminar about How to Find YOUR Authentic Style!

Buy your tickets below! 💕⬇️

Come learn how to choose clothes that make you feel good inside AND out!

03/06/2022

Do you struggle with what to wear as an ND? 👕

For me, an outfit can feel good one moment, and like a paper bag the next…

Naturally, getting ready for any event leads to piles of discarded outfits.

Worse yet, the feeling of showing up to an event — and THEN regretting what you’re wearing, when it’s too late!

Hello, sensory overload 😰

If you want to find your authentic style, that makes you feel good on the inside & out —

Join me Friday (June 10) for an virtual event hosted by the (Association of Image Consultants International)

With myself () as the special guest speaker, talking about:

“Dressing for Dopamine.” 😍

➡️ Reserve your spot now at AICIwest.org

Comment below if you’re interested in attending for a chance to win a free ticket! 🌈🧠🎟

06/05/2022

How do you stop this cycle? ♻️

—> @ the point of “productivity”
NOT at the point of rest

(Which is the complete opposite of what causes this cycle in the first place…)

MYTH: You need to earn rest

FACT: Trying to force yourself to get things done when your tank is on E will more often than not lead to doing none of it.

Instead:
Be intentional about making MORE time for what you love 💖

Because in doing so, you refuel your tank 🪫➡️🔋 to take on that load of things on your plate.

You’ll feel better and you’ll actually be more productive 🤯

But it has to start with focusing on your input (self-care and self-love) and not your output (perfection and productivity) 💯✔️

What could you make more time for that helps you feel good?!

🌈🧠

Share with a friend who needs a loving reminder that they deserve to take a break 😊

10/03/2022

Why do girls (afab) more often go undiagnosed, or are diagnosed later on average, than their male counterparts?

One widely agreed upon reason is that there tends to be a notable difference in how females present autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodivergences.

Differences that diagnostic criteria and diagnostic tests have not recognized — because those criteria were mainly derived from studying such disorders in males.

Another theory:

Many of the intrusive symptoms associated with being an ND female are chalked up to being just a “typical girl.”

When in reality, there is nothing typical about emotional outbursts, dramatic mood swings, or constantly fluctuating between being high-achieving and lost potential.

These pictures are of me 12 years ago ‼️😱

I found them on an old SD card and had a flood of emotions looking through them (have I mentioned I’m emotional?)

Grief and gratitude, primarily.

Grief because I can’t help but think of how different things could have been had I known how much I was struggling was not “normal.”

And gratitude toward the fact that I kept going, years after these photos were taken, despite it not getting any easier, or making anymore sense for years to come.

Not until this past year, when a psychiatrist finally listened to my pleas for help and said…

“You need to be assessed for ADHD.”

Something I had NEVER considered.

And for that, I don’t blame my family, or the teachers, or anyone else who never thought to ask whether all those times I got kicked out of class (even in college) for talking too much or when I had literal meltdowns over things like a drive-thru putting mustard on my cheeseburger, perhaps there was more going on than me just being a “typical girl.”

Because I am definitely not typical.

I am (proudly) neurodivergent.

And this is why I’m so vocal about it…

Bc I don’t want anyone else to suffer silently with the same symptoms.

As a young girl, thinking it’s normal… Or as an adult, too embarrassed to admit she never grew out of it.

If you can relate to this, drop a 💖🧠🌈 in the comments, share your experience, or send me a DM to talk!

11/02/2022

Self-love is in the air 💖🥰

As ND individuals, it’s common to internalize feelings of being a nuisance, difficult, and unworthy of unconditional love 🥺

Sound familiar?

Truth be told, you are incredibly lovable, EXACTLY AS AS YOU ARE! 🧠🌈

You are creative and clever, thoughtful and curious, unique and beautiful, and you are LOVING!

This weekend, take time to love on yourself and remember (or perhaps realize for the first time) not only how lovable you are, but how good it feels to be loved by you! 💝

Self-love isn’t selfish.

Filling your own cup isn’t selfish.

Knowing your value IS NOT selfish.

It’s absolutely NECESSARY in being able to love others and receive love from others in a healthy way.

Never let anyone tell you otherwise!


If you plan to practice some self-love this weekend, comment below what you’ll be doing — and send me a DM if you need any support in the process! ❤️‍🩹

03/02/2022

💯🧠🌈