Was I Really the Dumbest Person in the Room? Growing Up Homeschooled

This week on the pod, I sit down with long-time friend Hannah to unpack her deeply personal journey through homeschooling, neurodivergence, and self-discovery. Growing up in a chaotic Christian homeschool environment with six siblings, Hannah reflects on what worked, what didn’t, and how a lack of structure and support shaped her sense of self-worth. She opens up about entering adulthood feeling unprepared, navigating community college with massive anxiety, and later discovering she’s neurodivergent, a revelation that reframed her entire childhood. Now working in education and pursuing behavioral-tech certification, Hannah shares how therapy, understanding, and self-compassion have helped her rebuild confidence and reclaim her love of learning. This conversation is raw, insightful, and incredibly validating for anyone who felt “behind” growing up homeschooled.

*Key Points* - Big family life, AWANA memories, and mime team culture - How chaos, parental conflict, and lack of structure shaped her education - Feeling “behind” and “dumb” the long-term effects of educational neglect - Navigating college without foundational skills - Discovering she’s neurodivergent at 30 & how therapy reframed everything - Sensory issues, coping strategies, overstimulation, and emotional regulation - Homeschooling today vs. “the bubble” we grew up in

*Timestamps* 00:00 Welcome to the Ex Homeschoolers Club 00:32 Childhood Memories and AWANA Days 07:39 Homeschooling and Family Dynamics 12:10 Struggles with Education and Self-Worth 16:23 College Challenges and Career Choices 20:39 Discovering Neurodivergence and Therapy 29:42 Managing Overstimulation 30:30 Dealing with Everyday Frustrations 33:10 Understanding Neurodivergence 37:06 Homeschooling Reflections 43:29 Big Family Dynamics 46:39 Advice for Future Homeschoolers 49:48 Pursuing New Learning Opportunities 53:20 Homeschool Memories 55:45 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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