From distraction to devotion: My journey with AuDHD and purpose-driven living

Over the past few years, my world has shifted in ways I never could have predicted. It began with a diagnosis of ADHD in 2021 and medicating this illuminated my autism in 2024, which made sense of everything. I am AuDHD (Autism and ADHD). For much of my life, I felt like I was dancing to a different rhythm than the world around me, attuned to the rich details and stimuli that others often missed, only able to focus on what felt most meaningful. It was as if I had been living in a mirage, lost in the distractions that modern life feeds us — consumerism, hustle culture, and the never-ending pursuit of more.

But with that diagnosis came clarity. It softened me, forced me to slow down, and led me on a path of reevaluation — a path away from the “myth of more” and toward a life of devotion.

As we reach the end of ADHD awareness month, I wanted to share some words from the heart about how my life of distraction, once illuminated, gave way to a place of devotion.

The myth of more: A system that keeps us small

For as long as I can remember, society has dangled the myth of more in front of us like a carrot on a string. We’re taught that more is the answer to all our problems — more success, more stuff, more money. But there’s a lie buried in that belief. More doesn’t fill us up. Instead, it distracts us, pulls us further away from our innate connection to nature and the planet we call home. This system, built on consumerism, is a construct designed to keep us small, disconnected, and constantly chasing.

My AuDHD diagnosis made me confront this myth head-on. I began noticing how my hyper-focus on things that weren’t aligned with my purpose was just another distraction. Keeping me plugged into a matrix that didn’t serve my soul. It became clear that my distractions weren’t just in my mind—they were built into the world around me. The trappings of consumerism, the pressure to conform to a way of living that has complete disregard for its impact on people and planet, became impossible to ignore.

A softening: From hustle to heart

In this journey of self-discovery, something incredible happened: I began to soften. I let go of the need to fit into the mould society had built for me. I realised ed that these broken systems and structures want to tie our worth to productivity or acquisition of stuff and things. Instead, I embraced the truth that I am here to serve — not the capitalist system, but the souls I work with through radically authentic storytelling that puts people and planet at the heart.

This shift from distraction to devotion was the turning point. Instead of chasing more, I began to shed layers, things, people, places, all of the things that saw me repeating toxic patterns of behaviour. I was seeking meaning, purpose. I chose to step outside the constructs and situations that had kept me small, and in that place of knowing—of deep inner work—I found a freedom I never thought possible. With that freedom came a fierce desire to build a life, and a business, rooted in devotion to something greater than myself.

Working with visionaries: A new way of being

My heart has been ruptured wide open by the privilege of working with purpose-driven visionaries, changemakers, and entrepreneurs. These are people who lead from a place of deep devotion, not ego, to serve people and planet. These souls embody a new way of being. One that isn’t concerned with the distractions of more but instead with creating lasting impact. They inspire me daily, reminding me of why I do this work.

It is in this space, working with those who care deeply about their mission, that I’ve found my true calling. It is a space that encourages us to slow down. To live and work with intention, and to devote ourselves to something beyond the self. This is where the magick happens — when we align our work with our souls and nature, we create ripples of transformation that touch everyone around us.

Devotion as my north star

The more I learn about myself — about my AuDHD diagnosis and the way my brain works — the more I see how much of my life was shaped by societal constructs that didn’t align with my truth. But now, in this space of devotion, I’ve learned to harness the power of my mind and use it for a higher purpose.

My business, my life, and my storytelling are now driven by one thing: impact. It’s not about creating for the sake of it. It’s about creating with intention—to rewild our connection to nature. To ignite curiosity and awe, and to inspire radical action for the healing of people and planet. I no longer focus on what I can achieve or accumulate; instead, I focus on what I can give. On how my work can serve others and serve this beautiful planet we all share.

Impact is my North Star. It guides every decision I make, every story I tell, every photograph I take. It keeps me rooted in what truly matters, reminding me that my work is about so much more than success. It’s about creating a legacy of healing, for ourselves and for the planet.

A journey of reimagining

Ultimately, this journey of learning about my AuDHD diagnosis has been about reimagining everything I thought I knew. It’s about dismantling the distractions. Stepping away from the myths that keep us small, and choosing a path of deep devotion. I now see that every choice I make, every story I tell, has the power to heal or harm people and planet. And I choose healing.

The world doesn’t need more distractions. It needs more devotion. It needs more intentionality, more heart, more authenticity. My work is about showing up in service to those who share this devotion. Those who understand that the only way forward is to slow down, to reconnect, and to lead from the heart. We are here to create change. Not by following the system, but by stepping outside of it and creating our own path. Walking each other home together where community, connection and collaboration honours both people and planet.

And as I move forward, this wild woman with a camera knows exactly where she’s headed. Toward a future built on devotion, not distraction. Toward a future where my work, my soul, and my purpose are in harmony. Creating ripples of transformation with every story I tell.

If you’d like me to join you in a space of co-creation to tell your story and unleash the potency of the work you do from a place of devotion, I’d love to hear from you. You can read more about how I’m unlocking new horizons, here.