Janine Defontaine

Mentor, Adult ADHD Coach, Digital Marketing Freelancer, Copywriter. Proud redhead, neurodivergent & Fur-Mum. Lover of books, movies, podcasts, nature walks & naps.

Person standing by water, representing quarterly reflection and intentional planning for neurodivergent professionals

Why Quarterly Reflection Matters (Especially If You’re Neurodivergent)

There’s a particular kind of overwhelm that shows up at the start of a new year. The “new beginnings” energy that’s meant to feel refreshing can land differently if you’re neurodivergent. Instead of clarity, there’s pressure. And instead of excitement, there’ ‘s the loop: How do I make this year different?Where do I even start?What […]

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Intention, Not Resolution: A Gentler Way to Begin the Year with ADHD & AuDHD

I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. It’s not because I don’t care about growth, achieving things or change — it’s because, for me, resolutions have almost always been rooted in pressure and pushing. They tend to assume unlimited energy, consistent motivation, and a nervous system that can tolerate being pushed. That hasn’t been my lived

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What ADHD Coaching Has Taught Me This Year (That You Won’t Find in Productivity Tips)

At the end of every year, I like to take the time to sit back and reflect. Not just on the year I’ve had personally, but on what I’ve learned along the way. This year, some very clear themes showed up again and again — particularly through my work with ADHD and AuDHD adults, leaders,

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A Gentle End-of-Year Reflection: Permission to Do Less

A Gentle End-of-Year Reflection As the year winds down, I always feel a mix of emotions — gratitude, joy, tenderness… and if I’m honest, tiredness. Coaching is one of the greatest joys in my life. Every session lifts me in a way that’s hard to put into words. Being invited into people’s stories — their

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Some Stories Take Years to Make Sense

For most of my life, I thought I was just an anxious overachiever — always running on empty, trying to do all the things, and wondering why everything felt harder than it seemed for everyone else.

When I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism at 45, everything finally started to make sense. This is what I wish I’d known sooner about rest, productivity, sensory needs, and learning to work with my brain instead of against it.

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Reflections on Turning 48: Strength, Joy & Living More Authentically

As an ADHD and AuDHD coach, I often talk about growth, self-acceptance, and learning to live life on your own terms. But sometimes, those lessons show up in unexpected ways — like in the quiet reflections that come with another birthday. This post is one of those moments — a pause to look back, recalibrate, and celebrate progress in all its messy, beautiful forms.

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The INCUP Framework: How INCUP Can Help Neurodivergent Brains Thrive

As someone who lives with ADHD and Autism (AuDHD)—diagnosed at the ripe age of 45—I’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand what helps me thrive, why some things are so hard to do, and what sends me spiralling toward burnout. Over the years, I’ve come back again and again to a concept called

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Should You Hire a Virtual Assistant as a Neurodivergent Business Owner?

If you’re neurodivergent and juggling work, business, and/or life admin, you’ve probably asked yourself: Would hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) make things easier or just create more work? The answer? Well, it depends. While a VA can be a big help, it also depends on how the relationship is set up, your communication styles, what

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My Unconventional Advice: You Don’t Have to Niche Down in Your Business

In the world of entrepreneurship, the standard advice for starting or growing a business is to ‘niche down.’ But in my business, I’ve come to a rebellious conclusion: you don’t always have to. Embracing versatility and adaptability. While many experts advocate finding a specific niche, I’ve found value in embracing a broader approach. An approach

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