The Breaking Point: My ADHD Expat Story

Have you ever had a moment that changed everything?

There I was, sitting outside the ardbeidsarts (occupational doctor) office in Amsterdam, waiting for my intake appointment. My ADHD brain was racing: "How did I end up here?"

The answer was deceptively simple: I had a breakdown.

Just weeks earlier, I had walked out of my office after a colleague's insensitive comment - the final straw in my struggle to integrate into Dutch workplace culture. I couldn't be there anymore. The pressure of constant adaptation had finally reached its breaking point.

Let me take you through this journey...

The Tipping Point

• One insensitive comment

• Years of cultural adaptation

• An overwhelmed ADHD brain

• A sudden walk-out

Sometimes our bodies make decisions before our minds can catch up. That day, my overwhelmed system simply said: "Enough."

The Build-Up

Looking back, I can see how everything accumulated:

• Daily language switches

• Constant cultural translations

• Workplace expectations

• The pressure to "fit in"

  
  

Each element alone was manageable(most of the times). Together? They created the perfect storm.

The Reality Check [Break section with thoughtful visual]

Sitting in that waiting room, I realized something profound: This wasn't just about one comment or one bad day. This was about trying to mask my ADHD traits while navigating an entirely different cultural landscape.

What I Know Now

This breaking point became my turning point. It taught me that:

• Sometimes falling apart is necessary for rebuilding

• Our challenges can become our greatest teachers

• Understanding ourselves is the first step to thriving abroad

Ready to transform your expat ADHD experience?

Let’s talk. I offer a free 30-minute discovery session, to connect and bring my most valuable experience to you.

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