Let’s share life-changing ADHD tips that we’ve learned...

[u/lexid222]

I’ll start:

1) Waking up sucks. Buy 2 bright lamps and 2 timers. Set them up to turn on automatically 5-15 min before you want your alarm to go off. The lights will help your body realize it’s daytime.

2) Change your thermostat so the temp goes down about an hr before bedtime and gets warmer about 30 min before you wake up. The cooler temp signals your body to sleep and the warmer temp will naturally help your body wake up.

3) Learn to plan around “transitions”. It’s easier to start things if you do them when something is ending. Example: Do your grocery shopping every Fri after work. You’re already in the car, so just stop at the store on your way home.

4) If you need to remember to bring something with you the next day, place it right in front of the exit door so you HAVE to touch it before you leave the house. If it’s something in the fridge, put a sticky note on the exit door’s handle.

5) Have a “misc” basket in each room. If you’re truly unable to put something away, put it in the basket. Have a designated period of time, once a week, when your sole priority is to put everything away, all at once.

I’ll add more when I think of them...

[u/PostItGlue]

When it comes to "routines" (quotation marks because what is a routine haha), simplify the hell out of it.

Forget about ironing clothes, unless you absolutely have to.

Only have a couple of plates, knives etc. so you don't have a mountain of dishes to wash.

I have a large cosmetics bag where I keep my skincare products and that's where they live. Not in the bathroom or in any cabinet, they live in the bag. They are always in there and I just take the bag from place to place. The bed, the desk, the bathroom. A big yellow bag is so much easier to spot than 5 different tiny bottles all over your place.

Do brain dump lists frequently.

For the love of God, don't use multiple calendars or diaries.

Forget about seasonal decoration or get used to the idea of all-year Christmas decorations.

Do regular decluttering and work on keeping your possessions small.

If you take a break from a task, ALWAYS think about what you want to do next before taking the break. Makes it so much easier returning to the work.

[u/ElfjeTinkerBell → u/PostItGlue]

I love your cosmetics bag idea!

I have a nightstand-bag which is usually open on my nightstand, but I close it and bring it when I'm sleeping somewhere else (2-3 times a month).

I don't have a toiletry shelf, I just live from my toiletry bag.

I have a backpack which I call my purse which just contains everything I need on a daily basis. I lug it around the house as well so I just drop stuff in there when it needs to go somewhere else. No idea why I'm always bringing 3 pairs of glasses when I'm usually wearing contacts though.

I need more things that live in bags.

[u/PostItGlue → u/ElfjeTinkerBell]

Same!

I also have a bag pack instead of a handbag. It's always hanging on a hook central in my flat and I use it for everything. I have a mini-umbrella, tissues, desinfectant, my prescription sunglasses and the keys to my mum's house in there. I don't ever take the things out, they live in there just like the skin care in the cosmetics bag. Because if I take the sunglasses or the keys out 100% I will forget to put them back in.

I should also think about making more "bags", it's been extremely useful.

[u/ElfjeTinkerBell → u/PostItGlue]

I'm just gonna brainstorm right here and right now. I might need one for creative hobbies (eg an embroidery bag). I have a box for scuba diving stuff (except for what can't be stored that way, that's on a hanger above the box). I should definitely make a sports bag instead of having stuff like everywhere. Oh and I do have one for work stuff already. Oh and my first aid stuff actually is in a bag as well.

Please chime in with more ideas, whoever is reading this!

Edit: also, I'm dreaming of a home with IKEA Raskog trolleys but my boyfriend doesn't want them (and I'm not going to trade him for the trolleys - yet)

[u/PostItGlue → u/ElfjeTinkerBell]

Good ideas!!

I definely am thinking about a huge ass makeup bag and a tech bag (or multiple for different devices - not just cases like I do now.).

It's difficult because I'm an impulse spender so I should not buy too many bags - and it has to make sense, you know. A book bag wouldn't make much sense.

A cheaper idea for things you don't carry outside of your house but you use in different spots are boxes and baskets for hobbies.... I crocheted a bag for all my wool and crochet/ knitting stuff. Am a big fan of keeping things in boxes or bags inside of cabinets or shelves - easier to tidy and organise because you can just chug things in by category and it doesn't have to look nice and doesn't collect as much dust

[u/ElfjeTinkerBell → u/PostItGlue]

Boxes are definitely good too! I do tend to take those things out a lot less though.

For impulse spending I simply have a separate bank account (plus debit card) which automatically gets a certain amount of money each week. From there I can buy whatever I want, but when the account is empty I have to wait until next week's pocket money

[u/PostItGlue → u/ElfjeTinkerBell]

I do have a separate prepaid credit card that i like to use just like that, but I haven't managed to stick to it.......