This year has been a rollercoaster—emotionally, physically, and mentally. Between navigating life with ADHD, learning to manage anxiety, and, most recently, discovering that I have a brain tumor, things haven’t exactly been smooth sailing. But amidst all the chaos, I’ve come to realize that I need a space to reflect, to remember, and to grow. That’s why I’m starting this blog. I want to write about the books that have helped shape my mindset, the lessons I’ve learned (and am still learning), and how I’m trying to find my footing, even when life feels shaky.
As I write this first post, I’m about a week away from surgery to remove a tumor I found out about by accident earlier this year. While the news came with a lot of fear and uncertainty, I’m choosing to focus on staying optimistic. This blog, in a way, is part of that. It’s not just about sharing what I’ve learned—it’s about holding on to hope and preparing myself mentally for what’s ahead. Yes, I’m scared, but I want this space to be a positive reflection of how I’m preparing to overcome challenges, both big and small.
Life has been full of changes. My fiancé and I got engaged this summer on my birthday, which was an amazing moment in the middle of all the craziness. We also bought an apartment last year, and between dealing with health issues, working remotely for years now, and trying to manage life with a dog (who is not the best-behaved) and a cat with diabetes, let’s just say it’s been eventful! But through it all, I’ve found comfort in small things—like running (even though I’m not as consistent as I’d like), walks with my dog, and reading. Books have played a huge part in helping me find some peace and focus, and today, I want to share how two books in particular have had a lasting impact on me: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins and The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.
David Goggins – Can’t Hurt Me
David Goggins is all about pushing past the limits we set for ourselves. His book, Can’t Hurt Me, is a powerful story of resilience and mental toughness, as Goggins shares his journey from a difficult childhood to becoming a Navy SEAL and ultramarathon runner. What really resonated with me was his message of embracing discomfort and refusing to make excuses. Goggins talks about the "Accountability Mirror" and "Taking Souls" as ways to push through obstacles, and it’s these lessons that have helped me face my own challenges, including anxiety and ADHD.Hal Elrod – The Miracle Morning
How These Books Changed My Mindset?
Both Can’t Hurt Me and The Miracle Morning have helped me change how I approach each day. Goggins taught me to lean into discomfort, while Elrod showed me the importance of finding some structure and positivity in my mornings.
Practical Tips for Managing Anxiety and ADHD:
Embrace Discomfort (Can’t Hurt Me):
When anxiety hits or I feel like ADHD is making everything too chaotic, I remind myself to embrace the discomfort. Goggins’ words remind me that I’m capable of more than I think, even if it means pushing through small anxieties like getting started on a difficult task. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned to challenge myself daily—even if it’s just a little bit at a time.The Power of Routine (The Miracle Morning):
I don’t have a perfectly structured morning routine, but I’ve learned that small rituals help me start the day on the right note. I might read a few pages of a book in bed, enjoy my coffee slowly, or make sure I take the time to get dressed and feel put together—even though I’ve been working remotely for years. Having a desk to sit at and work from makes all the difference when it comes to staying focused and productive.“How you wake up each day and your morning routine (or lack thereof) dramatically affects your levels of success in every single area of your life. Focused, productive, successful mornings generate focused, productive, successful days—which inevitably create a successful life—in the same way that unfocused, unproductive, and mediocre mornings generate unfocused, unproductive, and mediocre days, and ultimately a mediocre quality of life. By simply changing the way you wake up in the morning, you can transform any area of your life, faster than you ever thought possible.”
Accountability (Can’t Hurt Me):
Goggins’ "Accountability Mirror" got me thinking about how I can stay true to my goals, and it’s inspired me to start journaling. I write down my personal goals and plans for the future, and I see this blog as part of that accountability. By sharing my journey here, I’m affirming my commitment to growth and staying focused on what I want to achieve.Visualization and Affirmations (The Miracle Morning):
Earlier this year, when I found out about my brain tumor, I didn’t know what the outcome would be. During the process of diagnosing it, I leaned heavily on affirmations to keep myself positive. I went for walks, repeating to myself, "I will be healthy. I will live. I will survive this." Talking to myself like this might sound a little strange, but it helped me believe in a positive outcome. I also used visualization, imagining my head as healthy and strong, and believing that no matter what was going on inside, I would overcome it. This practice gave me the strength to face each day without letting fear take over.
Starting this blog is a way for me to navigate the ups and downs of living with ADHD, anxiety, and the challenges life has thrown my way. Books like Can’t Hurt Me and The Miracle Morning have given me tools to manage my mindset, stay resilient, and build routines that work for me. If you’re also dealing with anxiety, ADHD, or just the unpredictability of life, I hope these insights can help you find some peace and direction. It’s not about fixing everything, but learning how to live well in the middle of it all.
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