“I don’t like to do admin.” A popular phrase coined by the women behind the hysterical “Giggly Squad” podcast.
That is the phrase I used several times within six months to my therapist.
I had been diagnosed with mental health issues since I was a teenager. I’ve seen countless doctors and specialists and tried all different kinds of medications to keep my mind in balance.
However, it felt like we were always missing something bigger.
Finding Authenticity Amongst the Smoke & Mirrors
A year ago, one of my closest friends recommended that I listen to Giggly Squad, a podcast hosted by Hannah Berner and Paige Desorbo. I was hesitant at first, as I didn’t know much about either of these women. However, my friend insisted that this weekly podcast would positively impact my mental health.
A few days later, I took a walk and decided to listen to the most recent episode. By the end of the show, I was craving more and giggling nonstop. I began to look forward to the Tuesday release dates, knowing that regardless of whether I was dealing with depression or intense anxiety, I would be laughing alongside Hannah and Paige. And yes, I am aware that I don’t know them personally, nor have I ever met them.
What hooked me to the show was the authenticity these women bring in a world often filled with smoke and mirrors. They don’t take themselves too seriously, and self-deprecating humor is ubiquitous throughout the episodes. They share embarrassing stories, discuss popular culture, and feed off each other’s laughter.
In a time dominated by aesthetically pleasing videos and perfect social media posts, it’s refreshing to see two women being exactly who they are—real and unapologetically themselves.
Listen to Laugh
Giggly Squad has a cult-like following (followers referring to themselves as “Gigglers”). The way Hannah and Paige talk about mental health, with zero (and I mean zero) sugar coating, provides a sense of community and reliability that can be harder to find in today’s world. Which, unfortunately, still has a stigma around mental illness.
Hannah and Paige have created an empire from something incredibly important to mental health, laughter. I cannot count the number of days I would listen to Giggly Squad when I was depressed or anxious. To laugh, but also to hear people talk about how consuming mental health can be without the stigma.
Correcting a Misdiagnosis
The women on the show have several popular sayings, but my favorite is, “I can’t do admin.” I started using this phrase with my therapist months ago when various mental health treatments were not effective.
She asked me if I was being serious or if I just didn’t want to do administrative tasks. After some reflection, I replied, “I actually can’t do it. It’s not stimulating enough; I get overwhelmed and then just walk away.”
I believe that this realization was the turning point I needed to correct my misdiagnosis, ultimately leading to my diagnosis of ADHD.
It is alarming how many girls and women today are either not properly tested for ADHD or receive a misdiagnosis. It took over a decade and some guidance from a podcast called Giggly Squad for me to finally find peace.
