Independence native Emily Farris is currently a full time commerce writer for Epicurious and Bon Appétit, but before that, she released a line of potty mouth greeting cards, wrote a casserole cookbook, had a food blog and podcast called Feed Me KC and designed logos for some of your favorite local spots (Happy Gillis and Crows Coffee, for example). Oh, and on Feb. 6, she published her first book I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes: And Other Tales From My ADHD Brain.
“Basically, I write personal essays,” Farris says. “Very, very personal essays.”
From the aforementioned list of Farris’ previous gigs, her ADHD diagnosis may not come as much of a shock. But it wasn’t until right before her 36th birthday that she was finally diagnosed. Throughout I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes, Farris hilariously reflects on and examines her life through her newfound neurodevelopmental disorder.
From the outside, it might seem exhausting to pursue all these creative endeavors. You’ll read in Farris’ book that it often was, with the fatigue most notably showing up in her marriage and depleted bank account. But when I ask Farris if she feels discouraged when a project of hers fizzles out, without hesitation she says, “No.”
“I’m glad I didn’t just stick with one thing,” Farris says. “I’m adaptable. It’s easy for me to pick up a new skill because I’ve done so many things.”
She doesn’t deny that her pursuits can be chaotic. If you followed her kitchen renovation during her days on Instagram as @theboozybungalow, you’re quite aware of the twists and turns Farris endures. But, the ADHD diagnosis helped her embrace the chaos and gave her a new perspective on why she did things the way she did.
Currently, Farris is going through a divorce, selling her east Brookside home (yes, the one with the renovated kitchen) and moving into an apartment in Midtown. Don’t worry: It’s all for the best, Farris says. In fact, she’s referring to this as her era of self-love.
“I do most of my processing on the page,” she says. “So [writing this book] definitely forced some self-awareness. It also forced me to pay more attention to some things in my marriage that I had been trying to not pay attention to.”
In just the few essays I’ve read so far, it’s incredible how Farris manages to take you along with her on the roller coaster of her life. One essay might recall that time that she began hoarding decorative baskets, and the next will detail the less-than-hilarious origins of her issues with money (otherwise referred to as “ADHD tax,” as Farris will explain). Both will have you completely captivated.
Despite Farris’ current transitory period, her wit and self-deprecating humor are still fully intact.
The opening essay is an adaptation of a piece she originally tried to submit to the New York Times’ Modern Love column. Times rejected it, but it was accepted by the Guardian.
“The title was originally ‘How an ADHD Diagnosis Saved My Marriage,’ so now the headline is ‘How an ADHD Diagnosis Saved My Marriage … For a While Anyway,’ Farris says.
Emily Farris’ Perfect Day in KC
Rise and shine: It begins with movement, so after a run on the Trolley Trail, I’m stopping by Crows Coffee for a 12-ounce oat milk latte with an extra shot.
Antiquing: If it’s a Saturday, I would go to Urban Mining. I would say River Market Antiques, but it’s better to go there during the week (hot tip).
Lunch: Tailleur has a really good lunch. I love a big salad with some chicken liver mousse with really buttery toast. Because this is my perfect day, I’m also getting bubbles.
Thrifting: I’ll hit the Red Racks and City Thrift on Wornall. I have three sections I hit—furniture, purses and, depending on the season, I’ll walk through coats or dresses. Another hot tip: The best stuff is if you drive out to the burbs.
Dinner: Obviously, I’m going to dinner at Bacaro Primo. I’m having, like, three negronis. Their house salad and meatballs are perfect. Then I’m having an affogato for dessert.
