The November Slowdown: Why This Month Feels Different — Especially for Adults With ADH

Every year around this time, I notice a shift — both in myself and in the clients I support.

It’s not burnout. It’s not overwhelm (at least, not yet). It’s not the holiday chaos creeping in. It’s something quieter and harder to name.

I call it the November slowdown.

What Happens in November?

For many adults, November arrives with a subtle but very real shift in energy. The days get shorter. Routines get bumped around. Work often ramps up right as our internal capacity dips. The mental load of preparing for the next six weeks settles in long before the holidays actually begin.

Most of us feel this to some degree — but for adults with ADHD or executive functioning challenges, the shift can be especially noticeable.

The brain is still trying to “go” at its usual pace, but the energy behind it just isn’t the same.

Why This Time of Year Hits ADHD Brains Differently

ADHD brains are particularly sensitive to:

• changes in light

• disruptions in routine

• swings in energy and motivation

• increased planning demands

• seasonal emotional shifts

  
  

So when November shows up, it can feel like you’re doing everything you normally do, but with:

• a little more effort

• a little less fuel

• a little more mental friction

  
  

This doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It simply means your brain is responding to a very real seasonal transition.

Common Signs You’re Feeling the November Slowdown

If you’ve noticed:

• feeling more scattered

• feeling more tired

• struggling to initiate tasks

• moving slower even when you’re trying to push

• feeling “behind” even though you’re doing your best

  
  

You’re not the only one. And you’re not failing.

This is a pattern I see every year — across clients, parents, students, and professionals.

What Helps During This Transition

Sometimes the most supportive thing we can do in November isn’t to push harder.

It’s to notice the shift. Name it, and allow ourselves to move at a pace that respects our actual capacity.

The truth is:

• The energy will return.

• The momentum will pick back up.

• The clarity will come back — especially as routines stabilize again.

  
  

November asks us to steady ourselves, to regulate gently, and to simplify where we can.

Steady and gentle is more than enough.

A Final Reflection

If this month feels different for you, you’re not alone. Many of us are carrying big emotional loads, big expectations, and big transitions without even realizing it.

November is an invitation to soften the edges a bit — to check in with yourself, honor your needs, and create a little more structure or support as we move into the next season.

If this time of year consistently feels heavy or overwhelming, you’re welcome to reach out. You don’t have to navigate it alone.