Maintaining Work-Life Balance: My Journey as an Empty Nester, Newly Divorced Entrepreneur with ADHD
Balancing work and life is tough enough for most people, but throw in ADHD, a recent divorce, an empty nest, and running two businesses, and it becomes a whole different kind of challenge. As someone who has faced all of these changes at once, I’ve had to learn (often the hard way) how to maintain a balance between it all—and trust me, it’s been a rollercoaster ride. But I’ve also found some helpful tools and strategies that keep me grounded, productive, and on track and I'm confident they will help you too!
The Struggle is Real: ADHD and Procrastination
Let’s start with my ADHD. My brain thrives in chaos, but that same chaos can easily lead to procrastination. Whether it’s deciding which tasks to tackle first or simply getting overwhelmed by everything on my to-do list, it’s easy to feel paralyzed. And when you’re running two businesses, delaying decisions or tasks can cost you time and money.
Newly Divorced and Empty Nesting: A New Chapter
Adding to the chaos, I’m newly divorced and an empty nester. When my daughter was home, I could always count on the structure of her schedule to keep me somewhat anchored. But now, I’ve found myself with a lot of alone time, which can either be a blessing or a curse, depending on the day. Navigating this new chapter has made maintaining a social life while being productive more challenging than I expected.
Running Two Businesses: The Ultimate Juggle
Running one business is demanding enough, but two? Whew! Some days it feels like I’m running on a hamster wheel with no end in sight. I’ve had to learn how to manage my time, prioritize tasks, and stay organized while still making room for personal time—and that’s been the real game-changer.
How I Manage It All: Tools and Strategies
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Trello
Trello is a lifesaver for keeping my businesses organized. I create boards for each project and break everything down into bite-sized tasks. This helps me overcome the paralysis I often feel when I have too much on my plate. It’s also great for keeping track of deadlines, which I can easily forget if they’re not staring me in the face. -
Google Calendar
With so many moving parts in my life, Google Calendar keeps me sane. I use it for everything—business meetings, personal events, social outings, and even self-care reminders. It’s color-coded, so I can visually separate work from personal activities, which helps me see when I’m overcommitting to one side and not enough to the other. -
Pomodoro Timer
For someone with ADHD, sitting down to work for long stretches of time feels impossible. The Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break, has been my go-to. It tricks my brain into focusing for short periods without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, knowing there’s a break coming keeps me motivated. -
Notion
Notion has become a central hub for both my businesses and personal life. It’s where I store ideas, keep track of important documents, and organize my business goals. What I love about Notion is its flexibility—I can customize it for whatever I need, whether it's business strategy planning or personal journaling. -
Slack
Since I manage teams for my businesses, Slack is essential for communication. It’s how I stay connected without constantly checking email. I can also mute notifications when I’m focusing on personal time, which helps create a boundary between work and life. -
Therapy and Journaling
One of the most crucial tools has been therapy. Navigating life post-divorce and as an empty nester has been emotionally draining at times, and talking it out with a professional helps me find clarity and direction. Journaling has also been a therapeutic outlet where I process my thoughts, reflect on my goals, and get a sense of accomplishment when things fall into place.
Maintaining a Social Life: Finding Balance
With all the changes happening, maintaining a social life has sometimes felt like a juggling act. There have been times where I’ve isolated myself because I felt too overwhelmed with everything else, but I’ve come to realize how important those social connections are for my mental well-being. I now set boundaries—social time goes on my calendar like any other important task—and I’m intentional about nurturing friendships and attending events that genuinely bring me joy.
Learning to Let Go of Perfection
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Life doesn’t need to be perfectly balanced, and some days, work will take priority, while on other days, I’ll focus on myself. Giving myself grace, learning to ask for help, and understanding that progress (not perfection) is the goal has been key.
Final Thoughts
Balancing work, life, and everything in between is a constant work in progress, especially when you’re navigating ADHD, running multiple businesses, and adjusting to life changes like divorce and empty nesting. But with the right tools, a strong support system, and some grace, I’m learning how to thrive in this new chapter of my life.
If you’re struggling to balance work and life, know that you’re not alone. Reach out, and let’s connect!
