What happens when your ADHD brain finally says yes to a big day of joy, and then crashes afterward? In this cozy episode of the Spicy Brain Podcast, Michelle and Megan unpack what it means to say yes to magic, connection, and green tasks, even when you know they’ll cost you some recovery time.

Megan shares a personal win: pushing past the urge to cancel and going whale watching with a friend, even though her body and brain were tired. Together, the sisters talk about masking, energy depletion, and what it takes to show up as your full, unedited self in a friendship. Whether you’re navigating the aftermath of a big social event or wondering why doing something joyful can still leave you feeling drained, this one’s for you.

favorite line from the episode: “I'm Not That Busy, I'm Just Super Distracted"

00:00: midnight Megan and the deadline dopamine

01:20: life is loud, transitions are hard

03:00: the urge to cancel and the cost of energy

06:40: fears about being “too much” when you’re tired

08:20: dogs, belly rubs, and vulnerability

10:40: fix-it Frank and childhood lessons

12:00: the myth of “just change yourself”

14:10: best friend culture, friendship envy, and Gen Z wisdom

17:30: matching friends to emotional bandwidth

19:00: loneliness, lost communities, and neighbor connections

24:00: postcards, connection, and remembering to follow up

26:10: the come-down after green tasks

28:30: dolphins, core strength, and physical therapy wins

If you’ve ever found yourself depleted after a joyful day, you’re not alone. Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that doing something magical doesn’t mean you won’t still need rest afterward. And don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss next week’s episode—our 100th!

ADHD, green tasks, social burnout, masking, friendships, vulnerability, radical acceptance, self-care, emotional boundaries, introvert energy, community building, whale watching, neurodivergent joy