There’s been a lot going on in my head and my corner of the internet – thinking, planning, discussing and more thinking (always thinking) – all about what it is I want to do with my work.
Who I’m called to support and how.
What I’m here to do.
Now all the moving pieces have fallen into place I want to make sure I share it clearly with you.
So, here goes.
First of all: my ‘why’.
Years ago I watched Simon Sinek’s TED talk where he speaks about the importance of being clear on why you do what you do, not just knowing what it is you do. I had forgotten about it until I was reading Miranda Hart’s book, I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, where she mentions it. And almost straight away my why dropped into my head crystal clear:
To help people understand, accept and love themselves so that we can create a world that is more understanding, accepting and loving of each other.
That is my big picture purpose, the why that drives me.
It connects to my core values – compassion, curiosity, joy, freedom and making a difference, and to my top strengths – perspective, honesty and kindness.
So what does my why look like?
The first thought that came into my mind when the video call ended with my ADHD diagnosing clinician was:
Where are my quiet ADHD women?
Where are the women in their midlife who don’t fit the stereotypical image of an ADHD woman? Where are the introverted, sensitive, quiet, late-discovered ADHD women, like me?
I knew they had to be out there somewhere and I knew they’re my people – they’re the women I want to connect with.
That’s why I’m focusing my support on these women.
Women who, later in life, are suspecting, have realised, or are diagnosed, with ADHD. Women who are quiet, introverted, sensitive, and empathetic who don’t see themselves reflected in ADHD spaces. (I’ve written more about what this can look and feel like here.)
My focus is supporting these women to not only understand and accept themselves but to find calm and joyful freedom to lovingly embrace being their true selves.
So, how am I putting my why into action?
There are several ways I’m offering support to my quiet ADHD women:
There’s my writing here in The Haven which is free to read as posts or emails. I’ll be writing posts about twice a month.
I’ve unpaused my podcast, Pressing Pause, which is free (and ad-free) to listen to. New episodes, about 10mins long each, will be released every other Wednesday and you can listen wherever you get your podcasts as well as on Substack and my site.
I’ve created the Quiet ADHD Club which is a membership for women to find gentle community, guidance and support. There is so much to tell you it would take up too much space!
So, click here to have a read all about how introverted, sensitive, empathetic women who have, or think they have, ADHD can discover how to work with their brain (rather than fight it) and connect with other women who just get it.And I provide bespoke coaching where I support women one-to-one, focusing on their specific challenges so that they can find greater emotional balance, confidence, clarity, calm, focus, and joy.
Then there’s my book, The 1% Wellness Experiment. When I wrote it I was unaware of my ADHD but my subconscious knew because so much of the book – from the concept to the format – is neurodivergent-friendly. It’s a book that is designed to help you boost your wellbeing in a way that works for you, without any pressure.
While I’ve been reimagining my business it was important to me to build in a way I can support social charitable issues important to me, and I’m doing that via my book.
Two of the most basic needs we have as human beings are access to food and shelter. And yet, here in Britain in 2025 there are many people who don’t have these basic essentials.
I’ve been volunteering at my local Trussell Trust foodbank for the past eight years making up food parcels for individuals and families in my community. Through sales of my book I am supporting The Wallich homelessness charity in Wales. They believe that everyone deserves the right to a home, to feel safe, valued and positive about their future – I could not agree more.
Whether you order a copy of the book or the book gift box which includes lots of extra treats, I donate part of the sale price to The Wallich to support their vital work.
My wise woman
Every so often I swap my morning meditation for a visualisation exercise where I visit my older, wiser self. In the past I’ve gone to her when I’ve felt stuck, sad, excited, hurt, lost… She’s given me comfort, encouragement, advice and the occasional kick up the bum!
A couple of weeks ago I realised I hadn’t visited her for ages so I settled in, closed my eyes and imagined myself in her company. What I want to share with you is what my inner wise woman said to me at the end of our conversation:
“You are right where you’re supposed to be, doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.”
As someone who doubts herself often these words hit me right in the heart and I wrote them down in my journal straight away. (Handily I had just finished a notebook so these words are the first sentences on the first page of a new journal.)
And, interestingly, when I was in conversation with
from the Shelf Help Club for her Live on Substack she told me that from reading my posts and watching me start the Quiet ADHD Club she feels that this is clearly what I’m meant to be doing.So, yes, I do feel more sure of my purpose, my direction, who I’m here to support and the best way for me to go about it, than I have for a long time.
I know my skills and experience, as well as my strengths and values, and combining them together in these ways is how I believe I can make a difference in this world.
By understanding, loving and accepting myself (it’s a lifelong journey) I find greater peace, purpose and joy.
And that’s what I’m here to help you do too.
If you’d like to get in touch I’d love to hear from you, in the comments below or hit reply to email me.
Until next time,
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Photos by Andrea Gilpin.
Supporting quiet, introverted, sensitive, empathetic, late-discovered ADHD women find self-acceptance and understanding, as well as calm and joyful freedom to be their unique, beautiful selves.
Thank you, this spoke to me. Clarity of thought about purpose and motivation enhances our lives, and for HSP writers like me it is something that needs to be visited regularly. I like the way you reach those thoughts and appreciate all the effort you are putting into fulfilling yourself for the benefit of others.
HI Gabrielle. I loved reading this and resonated with so much of it. It really seems like you've come in to your own and are definitely doing what you are supposed to be doing. It made for inspiring reading, touching my heart, knowing that the job of all of us sensitive, introverted, quiet, neurodiverse souls is to hold space for ourselves and others to create a more peaceful world. Thank you for work you do in the world X