Creativity. ADHD. Perimenopause. My Quirky Little Brain Explained.

There's a certain magic -- and sometimes a certain madness -- to living inside a creative brain. Throw in ADHD tendencies and the wild rollercoaster of perimenopause, and you have a beautiful, chaotic storm that's somehow still standing.

Creativity. ADHD. Perimenopause. My Quirky Little Brain Explained.

If you've ever wondered "Why do I feel brilliant and broken at the same time?" -- you're not alone. And you're not broken.

The Creative Brain and ADHD: What the Science Says

Studies show that people with ADHD traits often have higher levels of divergent thinking -- meaning, the ability to generate multiple solutions and ideas (White & Shah, 2006). Their brains are wired for exploration, not linear thinking.

Traits often seen:

- Rapid idea generation

- Intense bursts of focus (hyperfocus)

- Struggles with routine tasks but thriving in high-energy, creative problem solving

- Sensory sensitivity and emotional intensity

It's not a flaw. It's a different operating system. Creativity isn't just a byproduct. It's a survival skill.

Enter: Perimenopause

Now, add in perimenopause -- the phase when estrogen and progesterone start fluctuating in the years before menopause. Hormones don't just regulate fertility -- they play a massive role in:

- Brain function (cognition, memory, focus)

- Mood regulation (anxiety, depression, irritability)

- Energy levels (fatigue, motivation swings)

When estrogen dips, brain fog, anxiety spikes, and executive function glitches can feel

overwhelming (Mosconi et al., 2021).

Why Understanding This Matters

It's not you being lazy or broken. It's your brain adapting to powerful internal shifts.

Strategies for Thriving with a Creative, Perimenopausal Brain

- Externalize everything -- planners, sticky notes, voice memos.

- Move your body daily -- boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Cotman et al., 2007).

- Prioritize rest, not just sleep.

- Embrace your rhythms -- powerhouse days and puddle days.

- Lean into your strengths -- creativity, sensitivity, resilience.

Final Thought

Your quirky little brain isn't a problem to fix. It's a force to honor. Even in the swirling storms of

change -- creativity, ADHD traits, and perimenopause combined -- there is a genius in the chaos and a deep, fierce longevity being built day by day.

You're not falling apart. You're becoming something even more extraordinary.

Marla Guloien | House of GlamRock

References:

- White, H. A., & Shah, P. (2006). Uninhibited imaginations: Creativity in adults with ADHD.

- Mosconi, L., Berti, V., & Dyke, J. P. (2021). Brain changes during the perimenopause and

menopause transition.

- Cotman, C. W., et al. (2007). Exercise builds brain health.