When Work Stops Working: ADHD, Menopause & the Career Conundrum
Has work become impossible now that you're stuck in the perimenopause x ADHD vortex? If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: menopause and neurodivergence fundamentally impact working life.
The Peridivergence Project
This post is part of The Peridivergence Project, my new Wednesday paid weekly series exploring the messy, fascinating intersection of perimenopause and neurodivergence—with curiosity, humour, and a healthy dose of Surely it’s not just me. (Spoiler: it’s not.)
Lately, my inbox has been flooded with constructive and meaningful messages from this community—my real-life friends, neurokin, and readers—sharing their experiences.
Some have had to leave work because their brains and bodies simply couldn’t keep up anymore.
Others, paradoxically, have found workplaces that are surprisingly accommodating, offering flexible hours, work-from-home arrangements, or even role adjustments to help them stay afloat.
Personally, I’ve wrestled with the push and pull of capacity vs. capability. Over the past several years, my working life has been a rollercoaster. While I have the skills and experience for roles beyond what I’ve been doing, my reduced capacity has made it difficult to sustain them.
For the past few years, consistency has felt impossible. My output has fluctuated, and brain fog has severely knocked my confidence in what were once razor-sharp abilities.
When Work Was Working (Until It Wasn’t)
When we first moved back to Australia, I landed my dream role with a dream company. It was exactly the fresh start we all needed. The work boosted my self-worth and gave us a healthy income as we rebuilt our lives after almost two decades overseas. Most importantly, I loved it.
I held a lot of responsibility, was being recognised for my talents, and was working in an environment that actually felt good. Until… it didn’t.