{"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.\n\nAna 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.\nDiagnosed 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.\nIn this episode, we discuss ADHD, autism, creativity, productivity struggles, and how to work with your brain, not against it.\nWelcome to the show, Ana!\nQuestions\n\nJN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?\nStarted noticing ADHD traits about three years ago\nInitially misdiagnosed with depression and social anxiety\nDiscovered ADHD through HowToADHD YouTube videos\nDiagnosis process in Germany was smooth, but long-term care was challenging\nJN: What challenges did you face growing up with undiagnosed ADHD?\nWas an excellent student because school was a special interest\nSocial difficulties—never fully understood trends, popularity, or social norms\nStruggled with spatial awareness—difficulty with sports, movement, and even using appliances\nNoticed task paralysis in adulthood when responsibilities increased\nJN: How did your ADHD impact your PhD journey?\nPassion for linguistics kept her engaged, but executive function challenges made consistent work difficult\nStruggled with bureaucracy and non-research tasks\nMotivation fluctuated—hyperfocused on interesting topics but shut down on tedious tasks\nJN: How did you manage emotional regulation and overwhelm?\nExperienced meltdowns and shutdowns over small tasks\nLearned to recognize disproportionate emotional reactions to certain demands\nFound self-acceptance through embracing chaos...","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}