🌿 When Your Body Says “No”: Autoimmune Flares, ADHD, and the Art of Rest

I thought losing my job would mean more time to build Caterpillar Rising — early mornings, focused work, big creative energy. Instead, my body went, “Ha! Sit down, sweetheart.”

Apparently, I’ve entered another round of the autoimmune circus — starring Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic urticaria, and a cameo appearance from my joints, who now creak like they’ve been in a war.

🔥 When a Flare Hits

It starts like a wave — sudden, heavy fatigue that knocks me flat. If I ignore it, my body makes sure I listen. Dizzy spells, nausea, breathlessness, brain fog so thick it feels like wading through soup.

When I finally give in, my head hits the pillow and I’m gone. Instantly asleep. Even after a full night’s rest.

My skin flares up until I look like I’ve rolled in stinging nettles, my joints ache like I’m ninety, and my muscles feel like I’ve done a marathon I don’t remember signing up for.

Meanwhile, my brain is buzzing. Motivated. Creative. Excited. Ready to take on the world.But my body? She’s filing for a leave of absence.

And that mismatch — between an ADHD brain that wants to go go go and a body that’s screaming no no no — is brutal.

🧠 ADHD, Stress, and the Immune System

It’s no coincidence that autoimmune flares often follow stress, trauma, or burnout. Our nervous systems are like overworked staff at a call centre — constantly responding, never getting a break.

For those of us with ADHD, it’s even trickier. We live on adrenaline, caffeine, and chaos. That constant fight or flight mode takes a toll, confusing the immune system until it starts turning on itself.

Hashimoto’s, in particular, messes with energy, mood, and focus — all the areas ADHD already likes to play with. Add in hives, joint pain, and fatigue, and it’s like living in a body that’s glitching.

💔 The Guilt That Sneaks In

I hate not being able to do everything all at once. When I’m in a flare, I feel immense guilt — not being the best mum, not getting through my to-do list, not keeping the house together.

But I’m learning to reframe that guilt. If I get a nap this afternoon, I’ll be a better parent this evening. If I rest today, I can create tomorrow.

It’s all about balance and kindness.

I still get frustrated — especially when I feel like time’s slipping away. I worry I’m missing out on life, on moments with my kids. But deep down, I know slowing down isn’t failure. It’s wisdom.

🧸 Parenting Through a Flare

When fatigue hits, the house becomes Snack City. Cooking? Out the window. The kids love it, my bank account does not.

There’s more screen time, fewer veggies, but still so much love. We cuddle, we laugh, we gossip. They still get cuddly mum, just a softer, slower version. Honestly? I think they love flare-up mummy the most. She’s calm. Collected. Not in tornado mode rearranging furniture at 9 p.m.

💤 Rest as a Rebellion

I’m learning to see rest as sacred. For me, rest looks like lying on my bed for a couple of hours in the day, eyes closed, no guilt, no to-do list.

Because if I don’t, my body will do it for me — and I’d rather rest by choice than collapse by force.

Rest isn’t giving up. It’s building strength in silence. It’s allowing the caterpillar stage to do its work — unseen, but powerful.

🦋 The Cocoon Phase

Right now, I’m back in my cocoon. Not forever — just for now.

Even while resting, I’ve still managed to create. I’ve finished writing “Practising Self-Love & Self-Care”, which now has a free Module 1 preview available on my website.

The full course is £29.99 for now (and will go up once accredited). Videos and voiceovers are coming soon — once I can stay awake long enough to record them without drooling mid-sentence.

And because I never truly stop, I’ve started my ADHD Reset course too, which I’ll be running live — with 1:1 coaching — from January. Even when I’m resting, I’m still moving things forward. Just quietly. Steadily. At my body’s pace.

🌸 Final Thoughts

I’ve been this way since I was a child — full of ideas but easily burnt out. And I’m finally learning that this isn’t weakness. It’s simply how my system works. o for now, I’m slowing down. Not giving up. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a healed nervous system.

If you’re in a similar phase, give yourself permission to pause. You’re not lazy — you’re healing.

And as for me? I’ll be over here, cocooned in blankets, planning my next butterfly stage. 🐛💤🦋

🦋 End-of-Post Call to Action

If this story resonated with you, you’re not alone.

💗 Try the free preview of Practising Self-Love & Self-Care — the first step to rebuilding your energy and confidence. Just click the button below.

FREE SAMPLE HERE

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Love Jamaine xxx