Crafting Healing from Chaos
Winnie Wong, Singapore’s first Modern Kintsugi artist and a Creative Healer, weaves together art, coaching, and compassion to guide others on their journeys of self-discovery. As a Life & ADHD Coach, and Death Doula-in-training, she creates heart-led, hands-on healing experiences that combine craft, conversation, and creativity. Through her studio, Gold & Behold, she helps people embrace imperfection, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and transform struggles into strength.
Quotes
“My biggest shift has been my relationship with rest; embracing rest as a necessity, not a reward.”
“Stop trying to fit in. Your differences are your magic.”
Realising ADHD was Part of My Story
ADHD showed up in many ways for me. From forgetting to pay bills and constantly rushing, to being sensitive to lights and sounds, and experiencing emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, and demand avoidance. I thought ADHD was something only kids struggled with and that I would grow out of.
I then stumbled across an article listing 12 signs of adult ADHD – I had 11. This sent me into a deep dive. For the first time, I felt a sense of belonging. Last year, I gifted myself a formal diagnosis for my 31st birthday and discovered I had severe combined ADHD — in the top 1% severity in women my age globally.
Grieving My Younger Self
One of my biggest challenges was grieving my undiagnosed, younger self, the girl who felt misplaced, misunderstood, and “not enough.” My parents questioned why I couldn’t be smarter or more disciplined. All I knew was that I was trying my hardest.
After my diagnosis, I learned to hold both grief and self-compassion, giving myself the grace I never had growing up. Crafting became my anchor, from Kintsugi to pottery to watercolour, helping me process feelings instead of sweeping them aside. I found community in others with ADHD, pursued ADHD coaching certification, and began understanding myself more deeply.
Now, when I struggle, I don’t ask, “What’s wrong with me?” Instead, I ask, “Could this be ADHD?” and respond with kindness. I remind myself that I’m not broken.
Working with My Brain, Not Against It
I’m not at my best every day, but I’ve found ways to work with my brain. I have a close friend who’s also my personal assistant. She manages my emails and scheduling, and working alongside her feels like body doubling, which keeps me focused.
I also use applications like Notion and my iPhone Notes app to capture ideas, keeping things digital so that they are easy to find. I focus best in cafés, where the quiet presence of others helps me work faster, a kind of supportive ADHD masking.
Post-diagnosis, my biggest shift has been my relationship with rest; embracing rest as a necessity, not a reward. Rest brings me back clearer and more focused.
My Proudest Work
I’m proudest of running Gold & Behold, my creative healing and Kintsugi studio. Running a business is challenging but doing it as a neurodivergent woman is its own brand of “divine chaos.”
Life is still messy but seeing the 4,800+ clients we have served and the healing we have sparked worldwide makes it worthwhile. We work heart-first, slow when needed, and deep when it matters, giving me freedom to spend more time with the people I love.
The Gifts of ADHD
My creativity helps me solve problems in ways others don’t see. It’s how I became Singapore’s first Modern Kintsugi artist and began using art to speak openly about mental wellness and depression.
Being hyper focused allows me to bring ideas to life quickly, and with full intensity. I’ve worked for 16 hours straight without realising it. My curiosity has led me to train as a life coach, ADHD coach and death doula. My empathy is the heart of everything I do. I feel things deeply and hold space for people’s emotions and growth. These traits once felt like “too much.” Now, they’re my greatest strengths.
To My Younger Self
You’re not lazy or broken, your brain just works differently. One day, you’ll learn to work with it, not against it. Stop trying to fit in. Your differences are your magic. Big feelings, wild ideas, bursts of energy? Not flaws, they are your superpowers.
How I Hope the World Sees ADHD
ADHD isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s lying in bed with 137 tabs open in your head. But even in the mess, we’re magic. The world doesn’t need us to hide. It needs our fire, softness, and spark. Without us, life would be far less colourful, kind, and fun.
Support the ADHD Community
If you’d like to read more stories like these, consider donating $150 or more to receive a copy of our book, Differently Wired Minds as a thank-you. Limited quantities available.
Your donation helps Unlocking ADHD provide counselling, psychoeducation, and other vital support services to those affected by ADHD.
Special thanks to our sponsors whose generous support made this book possible:
MINDSET, Singapore Pools, Chua Foundation, Hyphens Pharma
Leave a Reply