



Understanding myself through my family
My name is Verity, and I work as a clown at LeaField. That means I spend a lot of time watching circus acts from all over the country, deciding which ones people will actually want to see. It’s a bit like Britain’s Got Talent, but with more fire-breathing and fewer golden buzzers.xxx
But my real story isn’t just about circus life. It’s about learning what it means to be neurodivergent and navigating life with three other neurodivergent people-my husband, my daughter, and myself. It’s been a journey of discovery, frustration, and, ultimately, understanding.
The moment everything clicked
For a long time, I knew I was different, but I didn’t have the words to explain why. I struggled with focus, with organisation, with feeling like I was always a step behind. Then, my husband and daughter went through the process of getting diagnosed with ADHD. Helping them navigate the system and understand what it meant to be neurodivergent today was eye-opening.
Suddenly, things started making sense. The way I worked, the way I interacted with people, the way I struggled with certain tasks-it wasn’t just me being scatterbrained or forgetful. It was ADHD. And understanding that changed everything.
Helping my family navigate their ADHD diagnoses helped me understand myself in a way I never had before.
How ADHD affects every part of life
ADHD isn’t just about being easily distracted. It affects relationships, careers, and even the way we get through each day. For me, it means my brain is constantly buzzing with ideas, but actually sitting down and executing them can be a challenge. It means I can hyperfocus on something for hours, then forget to eat. It means I have to work twice as hard to stay organised.
But it also means I’m creative, spontaneous, and full of energy. It means I see the world in a different way, which is probably why I ended up in the circus in the first place.
ADHD isn’t just about distraction-it’s about navigating a world that isn’t built for the way my brain works.
Finding ways to work with my brain, not against it
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I can’t force myself to work in a way that doesn’t suit me. I have to adapt. That means using tools and strategies that help me stay on track-timers, reminders, breaking tasks into smaller steps. It means accepting that some days will be harder than others. And it means being kind to myself when things don’t go to plan.
At work, I’ve learned to lean into my strengths. My ability to think outside the box, to bring energy and excitement to what I do, to see potential in acts that others might overlook-those are all things that make me good at my job. Instead of trying to fit into a mould that doesn’t suit me, I’ve embraced the way my brain works.
Every day is a new lesson
Living with ADHD is a constant learning process. Some days, I feel like I have it all figured out. Other days, I feel like I’m back at square one. But I like to think that every day is an opportunity to get better and be better. Every day is a school day, and every day I learn a little more about what it means to be me.
I’ve stopped trying to fight the way my brain works and started learning how to work with it instead.
Understanding ADHD has changed my life, and I know I’m not alone in this journey. If you’re neurodivergent, or if you love someone who is, know that it’s okay to take things one step at a time. The more we understand ourselves, the better we can navigate the world-and maybe even find a little joy in the chaos along the way.