May 07
Is it possible that the vibrant energy of ADHD can harmonize beautifully with the serene practice of mindful gardening? Kendall Marie Platt, who was diagnosed with ADHD at 36, is living proof that it can. She shares how this diagnosis transformed her life, channeling her dynamic energy into the calming rhythms of gardening. Throughout our conversation, Kendall and I delve into the unique strengths that ADHD brings—such as creativity, hyperfocus, and resilience—discussing how these qualities enhance our lives and the importance of a supportive community in this journey. We explore not just coping with ADHD, but celebrating it, understanding our neurobiology, and fostering a space where personal growth and acceptance flourish.
Kendall, known as The Mindful Gardening Coach, has seen her transformative approach featured in House Beautiful, Bustle, BBC, The Telegraph, and Metro. She empowers women to embrace their bustling minds and create moments of peace through gardening. Having used mindful gardening to manage her vibrant brain for over a decade, Kendall grew up on the South Coast of England and now lives near Reading with her husband and two daughters. Today, she is revolutionizing perceptions of mental well-being, tearing down outdated stigmas, and encouraging overwhelmed women to join her in a mindful gardening revolution.
Whether it’s crafting a personalized gardening plan, choosing swimming over running, or indulging in other relaxing activities, it’s crucial to find what truly works for you. Identifying activities that resonate with your lifestyle is key to living a balanced and fulfilling life with ADHD.
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"[In gardening], just start small. Just do one border and see how you get on with it. This helps you grow your confidence in that area to see if you like it or if it is good for your brain."
- Kendall Platt
"I think that's the beauty - we're all different. Not everything's gonna work for you the same as it does for other people. But give it a try, because it could completely change your life."
- Kendall Platt
"I don't worry about what other people are doing, I just focus on what is working for me. While my little setup works for me, I don't need to change it. If things start not to work or when life shifts around, I get more time to try other things."
- Kendall Platt
"It's not about who's right or wrong. It's just about "I hear you, I'm here for you. I support you. What can I do?”
- Kendall Platt
- Kendall Platt discusses her journey to an ADHD diagnosis and how she turned to mindful gardening as a coaching tool.
- Kendall shares her struggles with self-acceptance, family dynamics concerning ADHD, and overcoming internal and external skepticism.
- Tracy Otsuka explains the impact of hormonal changes on ADHD symptoms, especially during midlife, highlighting the unique challenges faced by women.
[15:27 - 32:06] Emotional Well-being Through Gardening
- Tracy and Kendall talked about the therapeutic benefits of gardening, its calming effects on the nervous system, and its role in managing emotions.
- How the pandemic inspired a shift to offering mindful gardening subscription boxes to foster community and provide relaxation.
- Kendall shared some techniques on how to integrate mindfulness into gardening to help quiet the mind and enhance emotional well-being.
[32:06 - 54:07] Structured Gardening for Managing ADHD
- Kendall provided advice on how to organize gardening activities, including the use of sensory elements to focus the mind and make gardening tasks more engaging by gamifying them.
- Gardening can be used as a tool to improve mental health. It includes using weeding to reduce stress and create a structure to manage ADHD symptoms.
