Episode 25

25. Overwhelm of the Infinite

Feeling swallowed by the waves of overwhelm? In this episode of “Rhythms of Focus,” Kourosh Dini invites listeners on a gentle voyage through the tumultuous sea of starting something new—whether it’s a project, a piece of music, or simply the next small step on the creative path. Rather than pushing for rigid productivity, Kourosh explores the art of recognizing emotions, honoring the body’s signals, and allowing overwhelm itself to become a kind of map, guiding the way toward mindful agency.

Listeners will discover:

- Why overwhelm arises and how to meet it with self-compassion, especially with a wandering mind or ADHD

- How agency isn’t about forcing focus, but about learning to navigate uncertainty and rekindling a sense of play within chaos

- Practical micro-strategies to move forward when the tides feel too strong

Key takeaways:

- Identify the emotional waves beneath overwhelm to turn anxiety into insight

- Use imperfect notes and tasks as trail markers, not obligations

- Find rhythm and enjoyment by honoring the present moment, rather than chasing an imagined “better way”

This episode features an original piano composition in C Minor, echoing the episode’s themes with swirling, heartfelt music. Subscribe and keep steering your own boat at rhythmsoffocus.com—where agency, mindfulness, and the creative spirit set the tempo.

#ADHD #WanderingMinds #MindfulProductivity #Overwhelm #FocusStrategies #SelfCompassion #CreativeAgency #EmotionalWaves #Agency #KouroshDini

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About the Podcast

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Rhythms of Focus
for Wandering Minds, ADHD, and Beyond

About your host

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Kourosh Dini

Kourosh Dini, MD is a clinical psychiatrist and psychoanalyst practicing in downtown Chicago, IL.

He is an author of several productivity suite of books and courses, the latest of which is a community-based course for those with, what he calls, "wandering minds". Having a wandering mind himself, he has learned and taught thousands of others how to manage their attention.

As a musician, Kourosh stresses the vital importance of creativity and a *meaningful* productivity.

His long-standing meditation practice also weaves a vital sense of mindfulness and the grounding in a meaningful sense of productivity, rather than one of constantly getting more done for the sake of efficiency.

Education includes:
- Northwestern University - Integrated Science Program, BA
- Northwestern University - Neuroscience
- University of Illinois at Chicago Medical school
- University of Illinois at Chicago - Adult Psychiatry Residency
- University of Chicago - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
- Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute - Psychoanalytic Training