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

Episode #53

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

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