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I already have your wonderful book and will be getting one for my friend’s birthday she and her husband have ADHD and I’d already decided they may find it useful before you were diagnosed. I’m also learning about Internal Family Systems which chimes with your inner critic and Addy. The living room of my mind is often full of all sorts of characters! X

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It's so interesting that you had already identified the book being useful for your ADHD friends, Paula. Internal Family Systems is interesting, isn't it? And I love the image of the living room of your mind!

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Brilliant! I don't name my inner critic but visually he's a naughty imp.

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Love it, being a naughty imp takes some of the power out of him.

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I call her the ADHD pixie ❤️ Honestly, knowing I am neurodivergent hasn't stopped the chaos but it's EXPLAINED it to me which has brought so much compassion and relief. So grateful for my diagnosis! 🥰

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Love your pixie! The power in explanation and understanding can't be underestimated. Shame and blame and all those false stories of how you've been at fault can be shed, glorious x

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Love this. My inner critic is called Mergatroid, and we've been doing getting to know each other since 2018. My inner child is called Little Deb (not very imaginative) and my wise voice is called Skye. So many voices, but naming them, and acknowledging them helps so much.

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Love all your names, Debs, there's such comfort and power in this. I think Susannah Conway (commented above) calls her inner child Little Susie and I think if I gave mine a name (I haven't yet) it'd probably be Little Gabs :)

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My husband wrote a blog about his inner voice, yet it's taken me until recently realise the voices aren't actually always my voice, though I don't find it coming naturally yet - I tend label the thoughts at times instead, I'll often say "that's not me, that's the ADHD". I find it helps me be more accepting, and also not as harsh on myself if I get distracted or need rest tims

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We all have our own way of relating to those voices. Some people find the voice belongs to a specific person in their life, perhaps a parent or teacher, while for others it's an unknown, made-up character. Naming thoughts and feelings is hugely powerful, it's creating that space and being able to see it with a little distance and perspective that helps us to deal with it rather than being enmeshed within it.

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"I heard myself saying, “Okay, Addy, you got distracted, it’s okay, it happens, let’s just do it now”."

This is amazing! I love the idea of naming your inner critic, and the way you give yourself grace in those distracted moments. It's something I'm going to try this week.

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I'd love to hear how it goes, Rachel :)

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