Sep 8
It isn’t a stretch to say that imposter syndrome likely takes up space in most ADHD brains (and how could it not when we’re constantly feeling like we aren’t reaching our potential?), but there’s an extra layer of self-doubt that comes with the vulnerability of putting yourself out into the world creatively. Artist and entrepreneur Katie Hayes always felt drawn to art growing up and knew she had a great talent for it, but she never considered that she was good enough to turn her art into a full-time creative career.
It wasn’t until 2019, after a college degree and a career in higher education that was gratifying but never felt like her ultimate calling, that Katie said “screw it” to imposter syndrome and started her printmaking business, New South Pattern House. She discovered that the more she aligned herself with her purpose and pushed herself out of her comfort zone, the less imposter syndrome she felt calling herself an artist, until one day it was gone completely.
Katie may have taken the long way to follow her dreams, but she believes that she wouldn’t be where she is today if not for the detours, which gave her invaluable knowledge and helpful ADHD strategies that she incorporates into her business and her art every day. Katie’s winding journey on the way to living unabashedly as an artist is an inspirational one, and a great reminder that it’s never too late to become who you truly are.
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"The art that I make is all focused in the Southeastern United States, so I gave myself limits but it's big enough that I don't feel constrained. And what that allows me to do is-I have that ADHD thing where I kind of follow my nose. I've built my brand around things that surround me so that when I follow my nose and I'm led to daydream about this and that, it still feels really cohesive."
- Katie Hayes
"I feel that in every situation that you're in, every person that you meet, every job that you have, everything you study, there's something that you can extract from that, that you can take with you and grow from."
- Katie Hayes
"When you make art and you put it out into the world, you're putting a piece of yourself into space and leaving it vulnerable to critique."
- Katie Hayes
- Katie her experience with ADHD diagnosis and stigma at age 2, with a humorous twist.
- Katie describes her experience with ADHD in school, mentioning that she received little support and relied on medication, sports, and self-discovery to cope.
- Katie shares her college experience, including feeling unprepared and struggling to keep up with more academically rigorous students.
[24:40 - 47:15] Career Transition
- Katie found her passion in helping high school students navigate college applications and paperwork, despite struggling with ADHD herself.
- Katie's career in higher ed included working for a college access program in Oberlin, Ohio.
- Katie recognizes her brain's potential and works to hack into her hyper focus to achieve her creative goals.
- Katie shares her art and creative process on Instagram, inspiring others with ADHD to embrace their unique strengths and talents.
- Katie's key to living successfully with ADHD is to hyperfocus on what she's good at, outsource tasks she's not good at, and build systems to stay organized.
- Katie designs her workspace with ADHD in mind, creating stations for specific tasks to minimize distractions and increase efficiency.
Instagram: @newsouthpatternhouse
Website: newsouthpatternhouse.com
Shop Wallpaper and Fabric: spoonflower.com/profiles/katie_hayes
