{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks ","title":"Episode 86: Ana Krajinović","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2274,"description":"Welcome to episode #86! We’re thrilled to be joined by Ana Krajinović today.Ana Krajinović is a linguist, writer, and comic artist whose work explores the intersection of language, cognition, and visual storytelling. As an academic researcher at Tilburg University, she studies how comics use symbolic structures to convey meaning.Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, Ana has navigated challenges with task paralysis, executive dysfunction, and emotional regulation—but she’s also learned to harness her neurodivergence as a strength. Through her comics and writing, she shares insights on productivity, motivation, and embracing creative chaos.In this episode, we discuss ADHD, autism, creativity, productivity struggles, and how to work with your brain, not against it.Welcome to the show, Ana!QuestionsJN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?Started noticing ADHD traits about three years agoInitially misdiagnosed with depression and social anxietyDiscovered ADHD through HowToADHD YouTube videosDiagnosis process in Germany was smooth, but long-term care was challengingJN: What challenges did you face growing up with undiagnosed ADHD?Was an excellent student because school was a special interestSocial difficulties—never fully understood trends, popularity, or social normsStruggled with spatial awareness—difficulty with sports, movement, and even using appliancesNoticed task paralysis in adulthood when responsibilities increasedJN: How did your ADHD impact your PhD journey?Passion for linguistics kept her engaged, but executive function challenges made consistent work difficultStruggled with bureaucracy and non-research tasksMotivation fluctuated—hyperfocused on interesting topics but shut down on tedious tasksJN: How did you manage emotional regulation and overwhelm?Experienced meltdowns and shutdowns over small tasksLearned to recognize disproportionate emotional reactions to certain demandsFound self-acceptance through embracing chaos instead of forcing...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/QZFZQrtBSDhon7MItX8a5mQvkXQ5KKmI2fe6dyhM72o/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMzNDE3LzE2NjEw/NjYyOTYtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}