Denise Olesky - Growing for Today

04/18/2026

If you have ADHD, struggling to start or follow through on tasks isn’t just about motivation.

There’s often a pattern happening underneath it.

When you approach a task, your nervous system can become activated—this might feel like overwhelm, dread, tension, or a strong urge to avoid. At the same time, your thoughts can quickly react:
“I can’t do this.”
“This is too much.”

From there, it’s easy to fall into:
➡️ avoidance
➡️ negative self-talk
➡️ feeling worse about yourself

Over time, this doesn’t just affect productivity.

It begins to affect how you see yourself and how much you trust yourself to follow through.

👉 ADHD isn’t just a focus issue —it’s a self-esteem and self-trust issue.

Each time a task doesn’t get done, it’s not just about the task alone. It's part of a larger picture.

It becomes:
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Why can’t I follow through?”

And that’s where self-esteem begins to take a hit.

I call this the ADHD Self-Doubt Loop.

The goal isn’t to push harder. It’s to interrupt the pattern and rebuild how you relate to yourself:
👉 Regulate
👉 Re-engage
👉 Reframe
👉 Rebuild

Because this work isn’t just about getting things done.

It's learning about your ADHD brain. And it’s about rebuilding self-trust and strengthening self-esteem over time.

Therapy for Adult ADHD & Anxiety
Growing for Today | growingfortoday.com

Denise Olesky, MA, NCC, LPC provides individual counseling to adults and teens in Doylestown, PA.

02/24/2026

Winter can be beautiful… and heavy.

If you’ve been feeling more tired, less motivated, or not quite like yourself lately, you’re not alone. The shorter days and colder weather can impact mood, energy, and focus.
Sometimes “winter blues” are temporary. Sometimes they’re a sign you could use a little extra support.

A couple small ways to support yourself this season:

• Keep one small, consistent routine (like a morning coffee ritual or evening wind-down time).
• If you feel overwhelmed, try a simple grounding exercise — name 5 things you can see, 4 you can feel, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.

02/05/2026

Do you ever feel like you keep going and going and then just suddenly stop, and you're done? Yep, sometimes that's an ADHD brain 😴

Rest and reengage when you're ready.

02/03/2026

My first video!

01/30/2026

You didn't think you had ADHD because you could focus for hours, but what you were actually experiencing was hyperfocus.

01/26/2026

As this week winds down, take a moment to do something that supports your mental wellness.

10/12/2025

Learn how your ADHD brain works for either you or someone you love.

02/21/2025

Creativity can reduce anxiety.

02/21/2025

Continually trying to make other people happy and seeking outside approval can be exhausting. While it may originate from good intentions, many people feel depleted when it becomes a way of life.

Seek advice and help from people you care about. Afterall, the people in your life typically want good things for you. Gather up all they have to say, process it a bit - and then - make the decision that is best for you based on your own needs and goals. You know you best, so the decisions that you make for you will be the right ones and will fit you the best.

02/19/2025

I'm honored to be included in this article by hercampus.com that discusses ways to ease flight anxiety.

Flight anxiety is common, but it shouldn't stop you from booking that trip. Here are eight flight anxiety tips to help you cope during your travels.

12/04/2024