Janine Defontaine

Woman wrapped in a warm blanket using a laptop on a cozy bed. Perfect for representing comfort and leisure at home.

If Your Brain Wants to Curl Up in a Ball and Become a Weighted Blanket

Leave a Comment / Janine Defontaine / Uncategorized

It’s winter in Australia, and my ADHD/AuDHD brain has entered what I can only describe as hibernation mode with admin responsibilities. The cold? Rude. The dark mornings? Uncalled for. The transitions? Suddenly a full strategic operations meeting. The sensory stuff? Very much present. Side eye to the woolly cardigan I threw on today that has […]

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Artistic representation of burnout with matchsticks on a pink surface in a studio setting.

Visible, But Not Combusting

Leave a Comment / Janine Defontaine / AuDHD, Reflections

Returning to Writing Without Burning Out I’ve been thinking about content and visibility lately. Mostly because I have a long history of starting strong with my marketing, throwing myself in, oversharing, disappearing into the mist, then returning with the emotional energy of someone re-entering society after hiding in a cupboard. The funny thing is, my

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Close-up of a hand hovering over a checklist with options for balance or burnout, symbolizing stress and choice.

Rest is a skill (I had to learn it the hard way)

Janine Defontaine / ADHD, Autism, Health & Wellbeing

A few weeks ago, I came across a social media post that’s been sitting with me ever since. It talked about Autistic people having “overactive nervous systems” — and framed that as something we should accept, even lean into. That we can’t really rest, that we’re wired to keep going, and that’s just how it

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What I’ve Learned About Building a Healthier Life with ADHD (The Messy, Real Version)

Janine Defontaine / ADHD, AuDHD, Autism, Health & Wellbeing, Reflections

Freya has this thing she does when her energy is off. She’ll grab her fluffy blanket, take herself to one of two spaces in the house (generally on ‘her’ beanbag), sit herself down and suckle. It’s her way of saying: “I need to regulate. Give me a few moments.” And honestly? She’s better at recognising

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

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

Janine Defontaine / ADHD, AuDHD, Autism, Health & Wellbeing, Reflections

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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A tranquil sunset over calm ocean waters with golden reflections in the sky and sea.

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

Janine Defontaine / ADHD, ADHD Coaching, AuDHD, Autism, Health & Wellbeing

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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Close-up of a woman writing in a red journal on a sofa, wearing a stylish ring.

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

Janine Defontaine / ADHD, ADHD Coaching, AuDHD, Reflections

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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Colorful bokeh lights forming a Christmas tree against a dark blue sky.

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

Janine Defontaine / ADHD, ADHD Coaching, AuDHD, Autism, Health & Wellbeing, Reflections

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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Little Janine Defontaine & bike - About Page

Some Stories Take Years to Make Sense

Janine Defontaine / ADHD, AuDHD, Reflections, Reflections from a Redhead

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

Janine Defontaine / ADHD, ADHD Coaching, AuDHD, Autism, Health & Wellbeing, Reflections, Reflections from a Redhead

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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