The Bigger Picture

I truly believe that “all things have purpose.” This podcast and blog is my way of making the most of the moments.

Tap the play button to listen to today’s podcast. Tap & hold first if necessary, then tap play.
FYI I cuss so wait ’til the kids and elders aren’t around. Press play to listen to today’s podcast. Blessings!

A huge part of my healing and acceptance journey is rooted in authenticity. I talk about ADHD, executive dysfunction, burnout, depression, anxiety, and even “unaliving” ideation because I need to talk about it. Often my moments of receiving a blog, or recording a podcast, is because in that moment I needed to work though some tough sh*t. And I share it because I believe it may have value for you (or someone you know, who is also working through some tough sh*t).

I believe we can’t heal what we don’t acknowledge. And that we are here for each other, so if I gain some insights on my healing journey, I’m gonna share them. And sometimes I hit record in the middle of the process, I’m working through my own sh*t, being my own therapist in real time, and by the end I have some answers for myself that might be of value to you. Those moments are so cool to me.

I also talk about things that aren’t that deep. I share stories about regular sh*t, where I happen to be at the right place at the right time because I followed my inner guidance rather than what others say I “should” be doing. I live my life very differently from what society says I “should.” AND doing so often creates moments that let me know that I am exactly where I “should” be.

On today’s podcast, I share one of those those stories and the lessons that came with it.

Thank you for being here, for providing me an “ear” to share my stories and the lessons I’m learning along the way.

Enjoy today’s podcast. It’s super light.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Past Present Future

Today, I woke up and decided I didn’t want to entertain anxious thoughts. I also didn’t want to feel bad by entertaining past thoughts. I just wanted to stay happy. And an affirmation came to me, “No past. No present. What’s good in the present moment?”

Image of a coffee/tea mug designed by Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist. Inside is a bright blue. Text states "I choose to be present. Right now I appreciate..." At the bottom in similar blue "mdillondesigns.com/shop" Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist in signature script across the top. mdillondesigns.com/shop across the bottom
Visit my Zazzle store to order this mug, today!

I hopped out of bed repeating that affirmation and soon decided it would make a really cool mug! I ignored the negative thoughts telling me it wasn’t gonna work, that I would forget it by the time I got to my computer, that I shouldn’t try to create it, and even that I needed to go to the bathroom, and sat down to create.

Typically, all those thoughts would talk me out of doing what I wanted to do. And even right now I’m realizing that I felt so excited about creating it. And that should have been… better yet, let me say that without shaming my past self… and from now on I will try to recognize that when something is lighting me up, making me feel blissful…. when I feel excited about doing something, that’s EXACTLY what I “should” do.

So I’m glad I ignored all of those thoughts, sat down, and created a really cool gift for myself.

I know that if I don’t “spell” things out I won’t remember what the affirmation means, so I changed the wording to be more clear so that when I see it in a month, or even 3 years from now, I can understand and apply the affirmation.

I figured maybe you might need a mug like this too. So I made it available, if you’d like to grab one for yourself, or someone you know!

Daily reminders and positive affirmations are great ways to shift habits of thought.

I know it always helps when I focus on what I can appreciate in the present moment. Sometimes I just think of one thing, other times I choose to do ten! It helps me shift out of what I’m worrying about or from steeping in a painful memory.

So I designed this mug today to help me shift from constantly worrying about the future and ruminating on the past. It will be sitting right in front of me, at my computer, to remind me to focus on what’s good in the present moment.

If you struggle with anxiety and depression like me, this is a great gift for yourself. (And of course you can get it for someone else.) Tap the pic below if you’d like to order one (no pressure). It will take you to my Past Present Future Affirmation Mug page where you can choose a different color, size, style, etc. if you’d like. Choose one that feels right for you (the one you’ll gift it to).

At the time of this posting (12/7/25), this mug is on sale today for 20% OFF. You can tap the image below to customize and order. (If you see this post later, still check it out. It might be back on sale. And it’s under $20 without discount.) Thanks for being here and checking out my work.

Be sure to preview your mug to ensure you have the colors you want on the inside/handle before ordering.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

BTW. This blue one is the exact one I designed for myself. I’m about to order mine now!

Order in blue here

Want to see what other products I’ve designed? Check out my online store here.

Visit My Zazzle Store!

Living an Ai Life: On ADHD Masking

I was just texting with a friend and as I switched my heart emoji from 💙 to 🧡 I realized something….

Tap the play button to listen to today’s podcast. Tap & hold first if necessary, then tap play.
FYI I cuss so wait ’til the kids and elders aren’t around. Press play to listen to today’s podcast. Blessings!

My whole life I’ve been doing what ChatGPT does. (Stay with me I’m going somewhere.)

To avoid getting in trouble (in an environment with a parent with unpredictable anger), I learned to study micro changes in body language. “Their facial expression changed, what did I do? What did I just say?” “Apologize. Quick before they crank up. Change the subject. Tell them a joke, something funny from school. Quick, their looking angry. I didn’t want to get in trouble. What can I say?”

“Ummm… Sean’s grandmother came to school again, today.” “Did it work? Oh, thank gawd, she’s smiling. Keep talking. Whew. That was close.”

Growing up in an environment where my safety depends on my ability to “read a room” trained me for all upcoming relationships. Granted they weren’t the only one. I had to study what stories, jokes, requests made the older siblings tell me to get out. Which ones made them laugh and let me stay a little longer.

In an attempt to experience peaceful and joyful connection, I learned to listen, watch, and learn. And I learned it so early in life that it became a part of my personality. So, of course, I’m gonna remember your favorite flower. Of course I’m gonna remember you’re a Bears fan.

Of course I’m going to sit and watch that movie I hate. You love it. It doesn’t matter that the violence is way to much for me. I know what to do. I’ve trained for this. I’ll simply blue my eyes and disassociate so I don’t hear the content… just like I did when my older siblings watched horror movies. I hated them but I loved being in the room. Is do anything for connection, to just be able to have someone close, because I know that if I tell you I’m scared, it that it’s too much for me, you’ll leave or put me out. You’ll get mad at me, realized you should have never let me stay, and then I’ll be alone… again.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know I was doing it–masking, pretending to like what you like, predicting your next move by studying you, showing up inauthentically to convince you that you want me around.

But one day, I got caught. I saw the look in his eyes when I gave the wrong answer. I told him what I knew he’d want to hear.

On today’s podcast episode, I share this story and talk about a common survival tactic of many people with neurodivergent minds.

When I just did it minutes prior to writing this I knew that this is something I’m ready to heal. I didn’t even realize how often I do it until that moment.

So tap play above. I’ve got a story to tell you.

Blessings,

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Looking for unique, empowering gifts? Check out my shop.

Want to learn more about me? Check out my about page.

Releasing Shame: You Are Where You Are

People with good intentions often unintentionally shame us for where we are, because they see our potential and assume their advice can help us bypass the process. Life doesn’t work that way.

Tap the play button to listen to today’s podcast. Tap & hold first if necessary, then tap play.
FYI I cuss so wait ’til the kids and elders aren’t around. Press play to listen to today’s podcast. Blessings!

We all have our own path. We all have our individual experiences. Don’t let anyone shame you into feeling you are at the wrong place at this time, because you still have to go through all the stages of your journey. Their path may be similar, but it’s not the same.

Some steps can’t be skipped. These steps are necessary parts of your process.

As I was reflecting on some recent incidents and epiphanies, I realized that other people’s frustrations don’t have to become my shame. I am where I am on my journey. I can’t get there any faster than I am meant to. There are experiences, lessons, epiphanies, etc. that will natural transition me to my next levels. And I no longer allowing people’s expectations of where I should be in life (given my gifts, skills, and achievements) to cause me to feel bad about myself. I am where I am and I’m not getting to next level until it’s my time to be at that level.

And this not about giving up or not challenging myself to grow. It’s just some stuff you’ve got to go through on your own to gain the perspective necessary to get to the next step. And no one can give you a cheat sheet on that just because they’ve been through something similar. Some advice will work for you and some won’t “land” (you won’t be able to process it) because, as Abraham-Hicks often says, “words don’t teach.” Some understandings ONLY come through experience.

So people can get stop getting frustrated as they attempt to help you skip steps by pouring on unsolicited advice. You get where you are meant to be in your time, not theirs. This is what I talk about on today’s episode. It’s a new concept for me, that has been really healing. I explain it better on the podcast so please press play and check it out. Remember that I cuss, so choose your environment wisely.

Thank you for being here. I hope this helpful for you.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Tap here to learn more about me, check out my products, books, course, book me for speaking events, etc.