Create your own ADHD Toolbox using our FREE Notion template. The latest version of the template comes preloaded with the tools and strategies featured in this episode: ntn.so/howtoadhdtemplate
And if you have a strategy that we should consider adding to a future release of our community toolkit (or potentially be featured in an upcoming video) you can submit it here: form.asana.com/?k=ZZlWjlL104sI0T9R9dy_Kw&d=653582451932079
uhm, sorry - but your new ultra-blue background + violett lighting is unwatchable for me (tho to be fair, i'm a bit blue sensitive too (still able to watch the sky tho!) - still, it's extremely saturated, and bites with the violett lighting in the background even more! xP) could you maybe desaturate it a bit? (i already tried on my end, but it's the saturation-contrast that sets my sight off - idk how to describe it, it simply "bites" - it's kinda to much blue, if that makes sense... (but i took a screenshot and pipete tool, it's the specific color - there are much more eye friendly blue tones...)
@@BlackRedDead1943 Thanks for the feedback. We really appreciate it when the community provides feedback, especially concerning accommodations or sensitivities to the visual or audio aspects of our videos. I've passed along your feedback to our post-production team to see what can be done.
I've started morning and evening "routine bins". Morning: toothpaste, meds + waterbottle, deodorant, sunscreen Evening: toothpaste, floss, face wash, moisturizer, vitamins + waterbottle Having the toothpaste in each bin is the catalyst to starting the routine, because that's the only thing I remember to do every day
It was a revelation for me to hear it here. I just always did it like that, and felt weird my wife never understood why it was important for me to sort before hanging to dry, then have dedicated racks for each person or type of clothes. It makes hanging so much more tolerable, and it pre-sorts for the folding, so it's one less thing cluttering the mind later. Now I can explain why!
I even sort the dirty laundry 😅 I have a Shopping bag in each of my Kalkax boxes. one for underwear, socks and T-shirts, one for white stuff, one for dress shirts, one for pants one for gym clothes, one for wool and one for towels and bedding. Makes sorting it afterwards so much easier😅
@dylanm8615 This a great one! We would love to potentially use this comment in a future video. Are you comfortable with us sharing the comment with your username or would you rather remain anonymous?
My version of the Marie Kondo Method is "If it takes more energy [from me] than it gives [to me], I don't have to keep it." I struggled with determining if my things sparked joy because of course they do! They're my things and i have them because they are delightful. But I know almost immediately if something I have takes more energy than it gives, and phrasing it as "I don't have to keep it" frees me up to make a decision without guilt. I've been able to apply this to relationships now as well and it's honestly changed my life to have so many energy-giving things and people around me 💜
I utilize Alexa to verbalize steps of our morning routine. She turns the light on, says it is time to wake up, when to wake my daughter, time reminders in between (so we are not blind to time passing by). She can read out your calendar, etc. she tells us when we have 5 min to go out the door, so we are aware that we need to make that transition and what cannot be done in those 5 min can’t be done. Then we get a reminder of ensuring we have certain items and to walk out the door. I have it set to remind me to check my calendar and to-do list periodically throughout the day. We also have a night time routine. It reminds us it is almost bedtime, time to shower, time to turn of electronics and time for bed, in which the fan comes on and the light goes off. This has been significant for my daughter and I. We struggle with time and transitions. This not only brings time to mind, but also what should be occurring at that specific time. There are sooooo many things you can do with Alexa routines and smart devices.
I also designed meal cards. They are super small blank cards on a ring that hang on the fridge. They have the meal name on one side and ingredients on the other. Each week we select the meals we will eat the following week and put them on a calendar on the fridge. This makes it easy to and less stressful to go to the store and knowing what you will be cooking ahead of time. On leftover days, we have cards that say leftovers too. Last tool we use are cleaning cards. They have the name of the room on one side and the steps to clean on the other. They are very simple. They are also specific to how our home needs to be cleaned to meet our most optimal functioning environment. Each room has a card velcroed somewhere or it is in the cleaning caddy for that room o type of room.
Oh I need to figure out how to get my google home to do that!! That is EXACTLY what I need (my phone alarms I have set up throughout the day tend to feel like nagging, and that is terrible for me… my inner adhd child just completely ignores them! If I could change the voice on my Google Home to be Sir Anthony Hopkins reminding me of things, and giving me little motivational encouragement/affirmations I would be in Heaven (he is my total Hero ❤ I’d want to impress AI Sir Anthony! 🤣❤️🏆
I always put my hand on my chest when I feel like I and talking too much, getting hyper etc. I then can feel how shallow I am breathing! 3 deep slow breaths and I feel immediately calmer, my speech slows, my voice lowers, and I can take on the world!!
@@erikajohnson3309 Would you be willing to put together an example of what a room cleaning card might have on it? I'm curious about how specific you get. I'm currently struggling a bit with the balance between breaking down the steps smaller so as not to be overwhelmed by the original task scope, but also not break it down so much I overwhelm myself with the number of steps.
I love the tip about having a starter to make taks easier to start. It changes from most ADHD tips I often hear Usually, a lot of ADHD tips I hear consists in : - have a bigger home and get more containers - buy more tech stuff and dump your head into it
I learned the Rubik's cube long ago, for no reason in particular. At some point in my adulthood, I started keeping one on my desk. It took me years to realize that I had been using it as a fidget when I'm on the phone or talking to a coworker. It's basically muscle memory now, so it's a good exercise to keep my hands busy and stop my mind from wandering without requiring any thought itself.
I started following this channel on the advice of my friend. In that time, I’ve learned so much and I can’t thank you enough. I’ve learned the connection between my childhood trauma/adhd and overeating and have lost 65 pounds since I started watching because I’m not CONSTANTLY eating to compensate for my lack of energy/control/regulation/etc. I still have a LONG way to go, but I’m a better mom, wife, and person thanks to the skills I’ve learned here. Thank you for that. I feel WORTHY again.
These tips were so good, two things I do that others might find helpful: - I keep my socks in a bin by my shoes so there's one less way to get hijacked by side quests trying to get out the door; - and I used to be notoriously bad about locking my keys in the car or locking myself out of the house, so now I have a rule that I can only lock doors WITH the keys; no twisting the inside door lock, or hitting the lock button on the car door anymore. I haven't locked myself out of anything in years :)
I have the same rule for my apartment door! I haven't needed to implement it for the car but that's b/c I'd already built the habit years ago of physically touching my keys before closing the door/trunk. Most of the time I leave them in my hand (I gotta use them to get into my building and apartment anyways) but if they went into a pocket, I have to pat them or reach into the pocket and CONFIRM that they're in the spot that I'm 99% positive that I put them 3 seconds ago...
After accidentally locking myself out of my apartment while I was cooking and have a neighbor break me in with a credit card, I decided using the deadbolt was a much safer option for both not locking myself out accidentally and not letting anyone else break in!
Yeah! I manually lock my car doors and quadruple check that my keys are actually in my hand or purse before I close the door. Especially because my car is not the kind that unlocks if the key is nearby.
Im known at my office for locking my keys in my car. I ended up getting a new car after my other needed an expensive repair. It literally will not lock while off with the keys in it. My boss said it was my best purchase. 😂
The keys and being locked out is Me! I have to have my keys in my hand before closing my car door. If I absent-mindedly drop them in my purse when I park, I Have to fish them out and be physically touching them. If I'm getting out, but still driving (stop to check the mail, switch places with my teen driver, etc) the window Has to be down during the transition. I have to be over the top to make it important enough!
When I was working as a programmer in an office setting I had a playlist of NES/SNES/GB soundtracks, most of which were ripped directly from the games. I listened to that music in the same order every time and actually documented the date and time whenever the playlist rolled over. The instrumental repetitive music helped me block out the rest of my environment and establish flow and routine.
When you do a list video, I'd love it if you would recap the items at the end. Even just a list on screen as you talk through your outro. Great content! Thanks!
To make taking a shower easy, I put all the towels and my underwear in the bathroom, so I don't need to bring anything there I just take everything off wash myself and get out. To sorting clothes easy, I just hang most of the things. No need to fold, honestly. To make taking vitamins easy, I bought five of those one week pillboxes, so I don't have to refill them every week. To charging my devices easy, I bought multiple extension cords. I have a charger and a cable next to my pc, my bed, my couch and my kitchen. I also use a lot of single use things like; plates, cups, forks, spoons etc. it may cost a bit, but it is worth it.
@@candycemonroe7345 Thanks, I just checked them out. They have a small capacity. I am kinda big person and I take a lot of vitamins. But this could work for a lot of people
I store a t-shirt with the towels near the shower to dry my curly hair. I used to forget to bring one, now it lives there. My boyfriend has a deodorant on his desk top. I often use it, too, when I remember I forgot to use it in the bathroom. (Should probably store the deodorant next to the toothpaste)
I use my Rubik´s cube to test my stress and anxiety levels. I have noticed, that whenever I´m overwhelmed, I make mistakes solving the cube. So, whenever I feel that the cube is a bit more difficult for me, I try to get myself to bed ASAP, and also try to stay away from communication with other people to avoid unnecessary conflict. Rubi´s cube serves as a great ADHD-management tool.
Psychedelics definitely have potential to deal with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, I would like to try them again but it's just so hard to source out here
I’ve been researching on psychedelics and it’s benefits to individuals dealing with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and from my findings, they really work and I’ve been eager to get some for a while but its been difficult to get my hands on them.
The Trips I've been having really helped me a lot. I’m now able to meditate and I finally feel in control of my emotions and my future and things that used to be mundane to me now seem incredible and full of nuance on top of that I'm way less driven by my ego and I have alot more empathy as well
@@AnaSolano190 I feel the same way too. I put too much on my plate and it definitely affects my stress and anxiety levels. I am also glad to be a part of this community.
I keep the light on in the Laundry room while i have a load in since it reminds me to actually turn it over. I hate leaving lights on so it motivates me to get up when i see it and since im already up it's easier to switch the load. *Edit for extra tip. When I start doing Laundry I bring my 3 laundry baskets into the laundry room. (Whites, colors, and jeans/towels) So I can just flip things over when I actually get up. I also do whites or jeans first so I can split colors into a light basket and a dark basket. The easier it is to throw things in, the better.
i use a similar method to the laundry thing for when im tidying my room instead of looking at how i need to ut away laundry, collect trash, put stuff away, remove dishes, etc. i start by clearing a space on the floor literally by just shoving stuff outta the way. then i start sorting stuff into piles. it might seem like more effort but to me starting off by sorting it into piles seems like less of a task. and even if i end up running out of motivation after sorting it, at the very least it looks less messy than it did before, giving me a sense of achievement. not to mention it makes the task easier to get back to since ill tell myself "clearing this one pile will only take five minutes.". if i feel like doing more after that i will, and if not i will still feel like ive achieved more than i would have if id cleared the same amount of stuff from a fully messy room (if that makes sense)
Don’t have adhd but anxiety and I do that starter thing too. It just automates your brain so you can act when you need to act, instead of figuring out or trying to remember what you need to be doing
Finding ways to start tasks that don’t require my brain to be at its sharpest has definitely proven to be one of the most effective, yet challenging to find ADHD management strategies for me so far. I’ve recently been experimenting with creating outlines using an outline app like Tana that represent whatever it is that I need to understand to address a task. This kind of outline is kind of like a simplified version of the DOM (Document Object Model), if you’re familiar with web development. I like this approach because I can use it to break down a wide variety of things in a consistent way, kind of like translating unfamiliar things into a “language” I understand and am familiar with.
As someone who had a late diagnosis, this has shown me that I’ve been doing some of these to cope and get things done without realizing it’s a way to manage my adhd. Love this!
Same! I realized I had adhd after learning about the various tools adhders use to help them and realized I'd been doing a lot of them myself for decades bc I had the same issues. Hmmm....
Oh my goodness! The laundry trick I had never thought about, but yesterday I was helping an elderly woman fold her laundry and I was having trouble starting so I just started sorting them, though what I'd do is fold them into their sorted piles. I didn't realize that was me coping with ADHD.
For my laundry sorting, I bought a bunch of dollar store laundry baskets, and when it's time to put away all the clean laundry, start by spreading them around the bedroom, deciding on which basket is gonna hold which items, and get to tossing. I also open a few dresser drawers to toss drawer stuff in as I'm going. (I don't fold drawer stuff - house t-shirts, pj bottoms, socks, and undergarments. I don't care if these items are wrinkled and if I can't fit them all stuffed, I get rid of some. Oh, and the drawers are labeled) Then I take some hangers, the tops basket, and the bottoms basket, and make outfits on hangers.
I’d like to propose a tool I used to use that I’ve just now dubbed “virtual me!” Basically you set up a sequence of Google Home or Amazon Alexa or other automations where the assistant voice speaks to you using your own words to guide you through routines like waking up, writing down goals, or getting started with work. You can build in motivators, break up the speech with other automatic functions like music, timers, and information like weather or fun facts. Most important is nobody knows better than you how to convince yourself to do things. I used this strategy to logic myself into getting out of bed among other things. Pros: One-time setup, offload all the thinking, super customizable, can integrate smart home products like the coffee maker or lights and adjust volume automatically as needed for the moment. Cons: Becomes predictable over time, highly involved to set up and adjust, easy to de-activate if you’re determined. Disruptive to others in the house. I’m open to suggestions for improvements
I do something similar! Something I have added is my phone has routines when certain things happen. When it connects to my car's Bluetooth, it turns on "Do not disturb" so I don't get calls or texts while I'm driving. When it connects to my work Wi-Fi it silences the volume and sets the ringer to vibrate, and then when it connects to my home Wi-Fi it turns the ringer volume back on. Something I want to add when I learn a bit more about it is RFID tags. Like to mark that I fed the dogs, took my meds, to set a timer for my laundry, set a timer for watering the garden, etc.
As someone who struggles with executive dysfunction and chronic illness I find the sorting clothes before folding them method so helpful. I love having my clothes folded and put away neatly (laundry is actually my favorite chore) but I don't always have the spoons to get it all done in a single session/day. I also really like the Jonaxel system from IKEA for clothes organization because the drawers are made out of wire mesh. It keeps things tidy while still giving me enough of a visual as to what's in each drawer. They're super customizable too!
Clothing Cubbies: I may have to implement this once I have my own place and have a stable situation! MVP: I've actually been aware of the concept of "minimum viable process" SPECIFICALLY for my laundry xD I have "mount laundrymore" as I like to call it... as I was starting to pack up my clothing in a box to in the near future move, I started setting "minimum completion goals". Wash AND dry an entire basket. Started having the basket separated so THIS side of the room is dirty, THIS side of the room is clean. And then THIS basket is sock, bedlinen, towels, etc. Compassionate hands: I DO THIS!! Chaining down your keys: I actually keep my house/mail/shed keys on a lanyard with my sensory bunny (:
Wow, I will definitely be using the compassionate hand technique! I love that idea. I also do a thing similar to starters, but a bit backward. I like to set up the first step of whatever process I'm struggling with, so I can just sit down and jump into it the next time I think of it. For example, at the end of the workday, I'll open up all the tabs for software I'll need for the first task of the next day. Or if I really don't want to fold the laundry, I'll just get the laundry out of the machine and place the hamper directly next to the spot I do all the sorting/folding/hanging. I don't have to actually complete the task, just "set up the first step." This takes down the pressure of the entire process, but I'm doing at least something so I get a bit of a dopamine hit. Also, it eliminates the executive function needed for doing the task the next time, since I can just sit down and get to it without having to think of what comes first and go through the transition of setting it up, etc. Sometimes when I set up the first step, I'll actually just complete the whole task anyway since I'm on a roll, and I find that if the first step is set up I will end up doing the task when I have a moment of boredom since its an easy thing to start since it's all set up.
I’ve put the tools I need beside the box with the shelf to be assembled. It’s to late to start it, but I did one more step in the process to help tomorrow me.
One of my strategies for getting in the headspace for cooking my dinners, which is a problem for me, is to take out every ingredient and stack them together. I then leave it until I'm in the right headspace, and when I do start, it feels like I've skipped something that isn't automated, and so is daunting to me. Just another way of building up to doing something.
@HowtoADHD So, if there are multiple cold ingredients, I'll also put those ingredients in a separate pile within the fridge. I prepare my meals in a very specific way, which I subconsciously think is to save time. For instance, most days I'll have fried eggs on toast with goat's cheese spread. So I'll put the bread in the toaster, and take out two eggs and place them beside the cooker. Then a few mins later I'll break the eggs into the pan, instantly flick on the toaster. Then I take out the spread plate and knife. It's sounds silly, but I want to maximize my breaks, so I don't want to spend too much time and thought on cooking.
To help me get a lot of chores done I try and tell myself to stick to the Pareto Principle, the 80/20 rule. I will often tackle the largest items first in order to make a more impactful visual signal of progress. I will often wade off into the weeds hyperfocusing on some minutiae but when I can manage to bring the 80/20 rule back into my brain it will allow me to tell myself "No! Do the most work with the least effort. Stop what you are doing right now!" and shift to the more productive work. An example of this could be cleaning up the kitchen. I'll start organizing the dirty dishes so they are taking up less space on the counter and it makes it easier to tackle washing the dishes. Maybe I free up counter space and notice the counter is dirty so I get some soap and a clean cloth to clean it up. But then I notice there's something spilled on a cupboard door so I start scrubbing the cupboard doors. This is often where my brain will remind me that I need to do the 80% of the work that takes 20% of the effort and scrubbing the cupboard doors is NOT part of that 80% of the work I need to be doing. If I manage to get all the biggest impact things done and I still have the energy or wherewithal to continue then I may revisit some of those tasks I forced myself to stop and get those done at that point.
OMG the compassionate hand is one that would literally make me cry. I'd really need to spend a lot of time with my Rubik's Cube after doing that for myself.
I like using to-do lists on whiteboards, but the one I had was too small so I bought a roll of magic white and two massive sheets of MDF I now have two whiteboards that are 120cm by 60cm. I really can’t ignore them!
Growing up, my older brother had a bookshelf with sliding doors that he used instead of a dresser, and I was so jealous because it got rid of the frustration of drawers. I just bought a house and I'm excited because the closet in what will be my room has shelves that I'm going to use instead of a dresser. ^_^
This is completely unrelated or related. Thanks for picking such a soft material for the hoodie you sell (the dopamine one). One of my strategies, especially if I'm starting a day that I know will be challenging, is to wear something comfortable, and this hoodie checked off that box today. Thanks!
Recently I realized I have planning too many things in a roll and the time management of that is overwhelming. So I started putting an alarm for everything, specifically when I’m on my phone. I’ll but an alarm for 15 mins and think “ok, I’m allowed to be on my phone until the alarm goes off, then I have to go do laundry. It’s working like a charm.
Austistic (maybe ADHD) teacher: I have a Megamix, not a Rubic's Cube (12 sides, same thing), but it's the same purpose. It works great as a fidget for me, AND as either a fidget or a reward for the students. I'm not the only teacher I know in the 4th-6th grade range that uses a cube-thing as a combination bonding tool, fidget, and reward.
Rubik's Cube was my hyperfocus for a long time on an hour long commute until I figured out how to solve it without a tutorial. Now I use it as a figit. I also can solve it in 1-5 minutes, depending on how much I've practiced and how hard I'm trying, together with a little luck. I uploaded my method to RUclips many years ago to a channel called Easy Rubik's Cube. It is easier than the beginner's method and more repetitive. Good for anyone who who wants to do it as a figit. It is not a fast method, so if you are going for speed, ignore that.
@@thesuperjill If you search "Rubik's Cube Cheeseburger" you'll find it. That's the name of one of the moves and there's not much else that comes up in that search. Click the channel. That's the only thing there.
I would absolutely LOVE to talk with you about some of the ADHD strategies that work for me, which is not many TBH. I can't pick the best right one at the moment, there's a lot of pressure here, but... Yeah. As a 29 year old going back to college i learned a lot in my first year, and different strategies for success in college, some of which are personal, but most of which can apply to the majority of those with ADHD in post secondary.
@FenrirAldebrand - This is Eddie, one of the channel producers. I’d love to chat with you and potentially feature some of your strategies in a future video. Can you email me at eddie@howtoadhd.com
I have a similar process for laundry, but I sort out of the dryer into 8 small baskets. Then, at a different time, I will grab one basket and fold it. Since it's small, it doesn't take long and I feel accomplished for finishing a whole basket. It helps break it up.
The sorting step of laundry is something that definitely helps me! Tip the clothes on the bed, my husband gets 3 piles to go in his 3 drawers of the dresser (underwear/socks, tops, and bottoms), I have more because I actually pair my socks and have more types of underwear plus some of my clothes get hung up. Then I put away what I have energy for - we don't really fold stuff, I pair my socks and roughly fold trousers/jeans - usually it is just the things that need to be hung up that go back in the basket to be finished off later, as once sorted the rest just gets shoved in the allocated drawer.
Месяц назад+5
Brand new ADHD here and this has been informative!
Part of my winding down sequence at night is prepping my water bottles for work the next day. I fill them and put them in and near my work backpack. I use two half gallon bottles, and one 32 ounce Brita bottle. Using the big bottles not only keeps me hydrated at work, but I also don't half to stop every half an hour to fill something, interrupting my flow. I sleep better knowing I don't have ONE MORE THING to do on my way out the door in the morning. Little burst of dopamine before bed, and an easier morning.
I have been reading your book HOW TO ADHD in a local restaurant after my brain gets too tired to study my STEM coursework (or after 1-3 hours of study). My brain needs a balance of non-STEM/STEM in order to best process learning. People come up to me and ask if they can take a picture of the book cover. I also tell them about your RUclips channel so they can get an idea of the flavor of your approach. Yesterday it was a total stranger just in the area to make sure her husband's mother's cat gets fed while she is on vacation, so not even someone who saw me before at the restaurant. Surprising how even just your book cover appeals to people just looking for solutions! I wasn't sure if purchasing your book would be worth it, being that you have so much valuable online content. I am about half way through. I will read it more than once and highlight, scribble in margins etc. Thank you for your online and book content. The online is great for smaller snippets, but I have found myself both laughing and crying at some of the stories in the book because I spend more time with it.
I have separate cubbies for different types of clothing, and for the clothing types where I have more than one cubby's worth, they get categorized further. So my tops are sorted into shoulder straps, short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves and long sleeves. It really helps find exactly the piece of clothing I'm looking for, or where to look if I just want something sleeveless when it's hot outside. I highly recommend it if you're able to do it (but you may just end up with a big "to be sorted" pile in front of the cubbies). 😅
Ha! I already use several of these! * I have a Rubik's Cube next to me and it really does help me deal with anxiety in the short term because it distracts my attention. I also have a specific pattern that I find especially pleasing that I'll go to quite often, and then back to solved, of course. * Sorting before folding laundry is a huuuge help too, and it *especially* helped my ex (she's ADHD, I'm AuDHD) - I still remember the look of appreciation and gratitude she gave me when I told her I had sorted her laundry for her to fold. * For clothes, I actually prefer using dressers since that's my organizational preference, but my ex did use clothes cubbies. For *food* however...I want that out on the table or counter so I remember to eat it. * Compassionate Hand is another one where I'm realizing now, "oh, *that's* (part of) why I do that" - physical touch is my top love language and the most soothing things are usually touch-related. * Starter lists is a *great* idea, I'm gonna start looking for ways to do that - I do sorta have something similar, but it's all mental, and having it written out would be super useful. * One bag - I do this with my church/study group backpack - it has a study notebook, art book, Bible, prayer/testimony notebook, a couple crochet things, and a bottle of water. It's great to be able to just pick it up and go when I'm running late (as usual) to church or Bible study! I, uh.....also do this with the pockets in my outside pants/shorts so I'll wear them for days in a row (when I go outside, that is - I wear comfy pajamas in the house!). * Key on a chain - I've been doing this with a lanyard for 13 years! I have a carabiner with a bunch of randomish stuff on it that I clip to my shorts/pants, and then the lanyard is on it and has my car/house keys on the end of it. It has saved me from getting out of the car with my keys in the ignition several times, and the conscious effort it takes to detach the keys from the lanyard means I'll remember to put it back (also it feels wrong otherwise). * And I'll add one of my own: anything and everything that I find to be really important to remember or keep in mind, I'll leave it out where I can easily see it. Not stuff like, say, tools or clothes, where I know where it is when it comes to mind, but rather things like Bible verses that I write on index cards and pin to my closet door (which is metal so I can use magnets!!! :D), and prayer braids to remind me to pray for specific people, and I leave my Bible open all the time so it's easy to look at it and read something rather than having to open the book, and I put reminder notes in places that I spend a lot of time at so I see them more easily, and so on and so forth. I recently wrote an encouraging message to myself on an index card and I'm just leaving it on the table so it's in front of me over and over and over again. Basically, anything that's important to remember *often* (not just when I think/realize I need it), I set up a visual trigger to remind me of the thing. It works! (...most of the time lol. I'll still put off the IBNUs quite often...but it helps to have visual triggers!) * Oh, and another one: write down reminders in the place you need them - the check engine light has been on in my car for *months* and I kept getting frustrated that I would turn it on and see the light, and realized that I still hadn't gone to an auto mechanic to have them check what the problem was. The engine was still running mostly fine, so it was an IBNU, and *finally*, a few weeks ago, I realized that I kept forgetting about it because when I got out of the car, my mind was focused on the thing I was going to next, and I always forgot to write down a reminder. The only place I remembered the problem was *in* the car and driving. But while I'm driving, I can't write down a note. So finally, what worked, was I got to a place and *before* I got out of the car, I opened up the notes app on my phone and wrote it down, and then left the app open and on top so I would remember it every time I looked at my phone until I finally got to an auto place to check it. So I did that a couple weeks ago and now my problem is I need to remember to order the replacement part...but hey, progress!
In the morning, instead of everyone shouting round the house saying that we are 10 minutes late, everyone has adapted to staying clam with means I’m not stressed out. One thing that I do is that I keep a spare fidget cube in my bag so if I just feel so fidgety one day, I’m not tapping my fingers on the desk. I love your videos so much!!
I hope you do another one of these! :) I'd be happy to be filmed for one of these. For my personally, a friend of mine introduced me to Google Assistant, and the friend helped me _tremendously_ by having an automatic 'checklist' where Google Assistant would give me a list of things I need to know/do today, including appointments, forecasted weather, and ended with a personal note by the friend as a personal motivator. It worked _really_ well for me.
I sort laundry first too. I also have a 4*5 grid soft box thing for underwear, and I use that as a game to store them using matching pattern & colour lines
It’s crazy to hear that people do the same things I do. Recently discovered I have ADHD but I’ve been using a Rubik’s cube as a fidget and sorting my laundry since forever.
I keep about 6 feet of paracord in my pocket to fidget with. It's a great lubricant for conversations as people often ask "how many knots do you know?" or "can you show me one?". I also am skilled enough to tie a few repetitive patterns (used for bracelets, keychains, etc) without looking at my hands.
that one bag to rule them all -- I've done that since I was in college, and my friends were surprised by the weight of my back pack like 'what do you carry? rocks?'
i love fidgeting with a folding pocket knife, similar to how i would fidgeting with a fixed blade. Also, with the laundry, I like to sort my clothes first so it's easier for me to fold the clothes after sorting.
One strategy that I started using as regularly as humanly possible, and that I learned from Haley Honeymoon - another ADHD and Autism influencer who makes videos sharing tips for those of us who have ADHD, Autism, or both. I decided to try this around a year ago just because I have a habit of sitting and staring at a wall on Saturday and Sunday mornings, even if I do have stuff to do or somewhere to go. I realized that I have an easier time (easier is a very loose term) getting myself up and moving in the morning during the week when I typically have work. I may struggle to get out the door on time, but I still get up and go to work whether I want to or not, because as much as I sometimes wish that I would just by some miracle get a text that the power was out and that I didn't have to go in, I knew if I did during the week what I would do and still sometimes do during the weekend, I would show up SUPER LATE and get fired. It's the choice aspect, I know I have MUCH LESS off a choice, so I just get up and get my butt in gear. So I thought, I would try and treat the weekends like work... sort of. Of course I don't get up nearly as early, but I still get up and I do one of 3 things, I get myself something to eat and refill my water cup, I throw on some clothes, or I wash my face, bangs, and brush my teeth. I also try and run my errands first, to again, knock out some of the decision fatigue paralysis and the time paralysis struggles that keep me from getting out of my chair and getting started when I have to leave the house. I also know that the longer I wait to run those errands, the least likely I am to go and do them, no matter how important they are to me. Sometimes I even try to create a mini launch pad for myself, like set out my clothes, pack my purse, and brew my coffee so I can my iced coffee the next day once I got home from running what ever errands I had to run, or whenever I decided to take a break from the chores I had to do..... SO maybe not just one, but a few. I struggle a lot with motivation, especially during the weekends when I don't have something like a Job to go to. Sometimes, even something like a prescheduled appointment is enough to motivate me to get moving, just as long as they aren't too late in the afternoon. But that's a start to my toolbox. EDIT (after reading someone's comment about listening to certain types of music to get them motivated), I used to do something similar to do chores, just my high energy music playlist, but I listen to it regardless now. I actually created and workshopped a playlist while I was in college (actually almost about to graduate college) and that was around the time that I struggle the most to concentrate when I have any music with lyrics, or outside dialogue playing in the background. So I created an instrumental playlist full of music from my favorite video games, and still use it do this day whenever I have stuff to do for work, or whenever I want to read but don't want to read in silence. I have to be careful though, because sometimes if I'm really not in the headspace to do work work, or to read, the music can just make me want to play the game.
i love how during the starters interview i zoned out and got focused on your face as your smiling because it seemed you already zoned out since you already knew what he was gonna say so you would smile or look at the camera and say yaya to let him know your listening/understand
Rubik's cubes and similar puzzles have been my obsession for a while :D If you are considering getting one as fidget, I suggest to go for quality (look for GAN cubes), it needs to turn very smoothly to be a good fidget. Two by two cubes are also a nice start - smaller and easier to solve.
I made a list with certain times I have to do things by for work. It works really well and I rarely ever forget to do something, but the downside is if someone comes in and orders, I get extremly nervous thinking I'm off track now and have to get everything clean again. It's stressful but also works because I've never gotten out later than ten minutes after closing due to my schedule.
When I was a child, my favorite strategy was music: play a cassette and clean one part of my room (dresser, closet, floor, desk, under bed, etc,) for the length of each song. When I grew up and had my own place, I applied the same trick to rooms: one song per room was enough each day. Now that I am old, or maybe because of cell phones, my patience for this has waned, and instead, I count backwards from 10 in each room: cleaning up 10 things.
I particularly appreciated Glenn's strategy. I can see how working the cube makes social interaction better for him and respect how he honours other people by watching how they are doing with the interaction and changing to help them have a good conversation too.
The challenge of the Mari Kondo method is that with ADHD has the interest to find, but not to set or place. I've settled with using baskets for body wear, wash rags, bath towels, and rags. I don't mind hunting for a matching pair of socks in a bin of clothes, but I never have the spoons to sort and fold them.
Ey! Listened to this episode while folding laundry. I sort my laundry before folding too for those exact reasons! Glad I'm not the only one who finds it helpful! I have three collapsible bins I dump my laundry into when I bring my basket back from the laundromat. One for socks and undies, one for bottoms, and one for tops. It seems like more work, but honestly it takes under 5 minutes and it makes my brain feel less overwhelmed (also the sorting is a bit of a dopamine hit). That way when I eventually get to folding (I also still do Marie Kondo style), I can do it one bin at a time and everything's already grouped and probably going in the same place. it also makes socks easier to pair, and if I need clean clothes I at least know what bin to look in and I don't have to sift through as much. Other things that have helped me (laundry wise): - Drawer organizers/cubbies/dividers. I don't ball my socks, so pairing them and putting them in the little sections of the sock organizer makes them easier to find. It also keeps me from having too many socks because I limit myself to what can fit in the organizer (I have one for warmer seasons and one for colder and I switch them out based on season) - Shoving out-of-season clothes in a box in a closet and switching them out when the time comes (It gives my drawers more room) - I set up a set of hooks by my bed (above my hamper) for clothes that are too dirty to put away, but not dirty enough to put in the hamper yet. It keeps them off the floor and is a little tidier to look at than "the chair"
Crazy that there is another person who goes by "Pi" in this community. My attention was starting to wander (big surprise) until I heard my name. Thanks for the tips!
I use cubbies too, not only because it's insight, but it's also lighter to move around if I move - I have the metal ones that you put together however you like
Just tossing in that using cubbies for clothes works really well for me, not only because of the ease of seeing everything but also because I'm super allergic to dust mites and they have a much harder time breeding in things more exposed to air. You'd think sealing things up in drawers would be better but I have much less allergy issues with the clothes getting some air. (A made bed is also a great place for them to breed so it isn't just laziness that I never make mine! 😄)
Yeah i use a speed cube as well, i find it very satisfying, speedcubes are also really nice to turn and snappy. But also like the quieter sound of the speedcube. And its a good brain teaser Its great for waits, refocusing(when im scattered), it can also be used to catapult yourself into doing work, also yes its a destressor, too.
@@GlenHunt i don’t remember the name of it lol. I think its the yuzu one but i don’t remember. I just looked up some speedcube reviews and found a cheap alternate that still had everything that they liked. Was like $10 i think. Still got everything except like 4 magnets i think.
I've started bringing my fidget toys with me to work (I'm a Musician, songwriter, producer and a sound engineer!) and having them in the pockets of my cargos - So at a show when I'm in a full focus on my playing, focussing on the desk for bands, doing set up etc... I don't need them as I'm 100% in the performance. But the other aspects of it (networking, merch, spending time watching other bands etc) where I'm getting overstimulated, I grab them out my pocket and start playing with them. At the festivals I've been working at (Playing or engineering) over the last summer, they've been an absolute lifesaver for me!
Chaining down my keys.. yeah.. I used to spend so much time and money on a locksmith (to a point we even greeted each other on a first name basis out on the street) and one day a good friend of mine at the time gave me this chain and a snap hook and from then on, I could only forget my keys when I wasn't wearing trousers :D
Clothes and laundry routines are my nemesis! My brain puts so much energy into avoiding it but I hate having a floordrobe. Laundry exhausts me to tears!
For backpacks, I love Vertx because the inside is lined with velcro. I can swap out pouches and organizers as needed. I liked having the ability to dump things I would carry on a flight and swap for the tools I needed for the job.
I like the starter tips, only thing is that it’s too many steps and seems too overwhelming to do the one task. Instead I would just do 3-4 steps. Maybe like “put on headphones and start music” “do 5 minute warmup to see how you feel” “if feel good, continue workout”. I have lost trouble getting started, but once I’m already going, I know I will do it unless I’m really not feeling well, and if I stop, which is rare, it’s good because I won’t associate activity with incredible pain
Recently improved my laundry game so much by hanging my clothes outside. For me it makes the task enjoyable like a little break instead of a chore plus I see it hanging outside and remember to take it down. Then I fold as I am taking it down meaning I get to be outside and bring my dog and it makes it so much easier
I like the Rubik’s cube fidget because it’s more mindful and engaging than other fidgets. Also, I tried a compassionate hand on my chest and immediately started crying 😭 ❤
I seldom leave the house (never if on bike) without my backpack. I know that doesn't project manly confidence at my age but, like Dennis Reynolds, "I have to have my TOOLS." I have never for a minute been a roll out of bed, grab the wallet, and Go type. Gotta have something for every situation.
I don't even fold laundry. I tried the cubbies but most of the clothes are the same color so I just forget about the existence of 60% of them. So I just toss my clothes into baskets. A basket for t-shirts, sweaters, trousers and pjs. That way I don't have to worry about folding them again and can just scramble them around the basket to see what I have.
We have a separate room for storage on the same floor as our apartment and we set it up with shelfs and a lot of medium sized translucent plastic boxes. Every box has their theme (baking stuff, hiking gear, tools, Christmas decorations, my seasonal wardrobe change, board games, crafting supplies...). If we need anything, we take the whole box into our apartment, use the thing, throw it back into the box and store the box away again. Sometimes the boxes stand a few days next to the door, but we know where they belong. Inside most of the boxes reigns chaos, but because they are not that big we are able to find what we need. And I can easily organise one box at a time, when I feel like it. This was a life changer!!
When I was a child and had to clean my room when it was a disaster it seemed like an Impossible task. What I learned to do was to first sort everything in the room into piles: clothes, toys, etc... after that, even though I had not yet put a single thing away, it felt SO easy because the chaos was gone and replaced with order...
With Laundry, I think I have perfected the technique. From the start: I have an ikea box for daywear and nightwear, and a chair for coats/tomorrows outfit and "wear again" Clothes get taken off outside out and put straight in laundry basket next to wardrobe. Sheets and towels get placed straight into machine when I get up on the weekend. Clothes get washed on 40 degrees so no need to sort light and dark. Do a mixed load. Hang clothes on a clothes line, and keep 1 line section for each item. Then you sort your clothes as you go. (This part requires a music or podcast) Clothes get folded as they go into the basket (just in half). Then I tell myself that I cant put the basket down until the clothes are packed into the 2 ikea boxes. (I dont have many clothes, around 1 weeks worth)
I love Kira's sort before you fold system. It makes sense. If there is something that is needed and I see it after the sort, I can put it where I can get my hands on it really quickly
I absolutely do the same method for laundry but never realized that I liked doing it that way from an ADHD perspective! The clock behind you needs a new battery...the second hand is not moving 😆
A clothing shelf works for me EXCEPT it's not ideal if you're allergic to dustmites....I suppose a curio-type cabinet that's has a glass front would be ideal. What's nice about shelves is that it's easy to slide/move stuff over. Compared to if I have to take things out of compartments and put them back in, it's never going to be put back neatly. Sliding stuff is where it's at -- this goes for shelves of any type. If you have wire shelves for anything it's 1000% not ADHD friendly in that regard, except for that there's minimal dust collecting when it comes to cleaning.
Thank you thank you thank you so much for posting this video 🙏. You help me a enormous amount! The validation of seeing other people in your video struggling but finding away forward makes me so much better about my ADHD 😊
So.... I signed up for 2 summer courses (6 weeks long) and put off them for 3.5/4 weeks... so I have 123 assignments I had to do in just over 2 weeks. These last 2 weeks were hell. I was averaging 5 hours of sleep, wasn't parenting how I wanted (way more reactive than productive) and in general was completely miserable. I had my first panic attack in years, and that's what got me looking for solutions. Thank you so much for this toolbox. I only had 2 of the tools(write things down and body doubling) that you put on here in my actual toolbox and I am excited to have so much more I can try. The "starters" are the first tool I am trying out!!
I do the laundry things too! It’s like the physical manifestation of breaking down a todo list into smaller tasks and it feels more manageable to fold category by category. It’s also great to listen to a funny podcast while doing it it feels like I’m gossiping while folding lol and I have two hampers: clean/wearable in case I did laundry but don’t have enough dopamine to finish folding lol and then dirty clothes hamper
The compassionate hand could be a thing for me! When I feel lonely and my skin is itching for human contact (and my partner or another person I trust is not here to hug me) I wrap a warm shawl tight around my upper body to mimic the feeling of human connection.
Create your own ADHD Toolbox using our FREE Notion template. The latest version of the template comes preloaded with the tools and strategies featured in this episode: ntn.so/howtoadhdtemplate
And if you have a strategy that we should consider adding to a future release of our community toolkit (or potentially be featured in an upcoming video) you can submit it here: form.asana.com/?k=ZZlWjlL104sI0T9R9dy_Kw&d=653582451932079
uhm, sorry - but your new ultra-blue background + violett lighting is unwatchable for me (tho to be fair, i'm a bit blue sensitive too (still able to watch the sky tho!) - still, it's extremely saturated, and bites with the violett lighting in the background even more! xP)
could you maybe desaturate it a bit? (i already tried on my end, but it's the saturation-contrast that sets my sight off - idk how to describe it, it simply "bites" - it's kinda to much blue, if that makes sense...
(but i took a screenshot and pipete tool, it's the specific color - there are much more eye friendly blue tones...)
@@BlackRedDead1943 Thanks for the feedback. We really appreciate it when the community provides feedback, especially concerning accommodations or sensitivities to the visual or audio aspects of our videos. I've passed along your feedback to our post-production team to see what can be done.
@@HowtoADHD thank you
😊
I've started morning and evening "routine bins".
Morning: toothpaste, meds + waterbottle, deodorant, sunscreen
Evening: toothpaste, floss, face wash, moisturizer, vitamins + waterbottle
Having the toothpaste in each bin is the catalyst to starting the routine, because that's the only thing I remember to do every day
I have something like that morning jobs, evening jobs
I
I do this! I was just coming to post my brilliant idea and of course someone else brilliant already thought of it!
The laundry sorting process is 1000% how I get through laundry. It doesn't help me get started, but it does help me get finished (usually).
I started doing this too and even if you get interrupted you can just fold and put away later and it’s not a huge task
I do that too, but it's just piles. I love her folding bins idea!
And I have a dedicated basket for each person that I sort into. Then those go into each bedroom for easy access when I have time.
It was a revelation for me to hear it here.
I just always did it like that, and felt weird my wife never understood why it was important for me to sort before hanging to dry, then have dedicated racks for each person or type of clothes.
It makes hanging so much more tolerable, and it pre-sorts for the folding, so it's one less thing cluttering the mind later.
Now I can explain why!
I even sort the dirty laundry 😅 I have a Shopping bag in each of my Kalkax boxes. one for underwear, socks and T-shirts, one for white stuff, one for dress shirts, one for pants one for gym clothes, one for wool and one for towels and bedding. Makes sorting it afterwards so much easier😅
I like to listen to superhero scores when doing mundane tasks because it's the most stimulating music to listen to.(to me at least)
@dylanm8615 This a great one! We would love to potentially use this comment in a future video. Are you comfortable with us sharing the comment with your username or would you rather remain anonymous?
Go for it, Dylan! Great idea, get the credit you deserve. High energy tunes are a great help. Super hero themes are a great example of it.
yesss like the avengers theme :))
I do this too on the daily 🤣
@@80HDDrummer I got ready with the 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' suite this morning😆
My version of the Marie Kondo Method is "If it takes more energy [from me] than it gives [to me], I don't have to keep it." I struggled with determining if my things sparked joy because of course they do! They're my things and i have them because they are delightful.
But I know almost immediately if something I have takes more energy than it gives, and phrasing it as "I don't have to keep it" frees me up to make a decision without guilt. I've been able to apply this to relationships now as well and it's honestly changed my life to have so many energy-giving things and people around me 💜
I utilize Alexa to verbalize steps of our morning routine. She turns the light on, says it is time to wake up, when to wake my daughter, time reminders in between (so we are not blind to time passing by). She can read out your calendar, etc. she tells us when we have 5 min to go out the door, so we are aware that we need to make that transition and what cannot be done in those 5 min can’t be done. Then we get a reminder of ensuring we have certain items and to walk out the door.
I have it set to remind me to check my calendar and to-do list periodically throughout the day.
We also have a night time routine. It reminds us it is almost bedtime, time to shower, time to turn of electronics and time for bed, in which the fan comes on and the light goes off.
This has been significant for my daughter and I. We struggle with time and transitions. This not only brings time to mind, but also what should be occurring at that specific time. There are sooooo many things you can do with Alexa routines and smart devices.
I also designed meal cards. They are super small blank cards on a ring that hang on the fridge. They have the meal name on one side and ingredients on the other. Each week we select the meals we will eat the following week and put them on a calendar on the fridge. This makes it easy to and less stressful to go to the store and knowing what you will be cooking ahead of time. On leftover days, we have cards that say leftovers too.
Last tool we use are cleaning cards. They have the name of the room on one side and the steps to clean on the other. They are very simple. They are also specific to how our home needs to be cleaned to meet our most optimal functioning environment. Each room has a card velcroed somewhere or it is in the cleaning caddy for that room o type of room.
Oh I need to figure out how to get my google home to do that!!
That is EXACTLY what I need (my phone alarms I have set up throughout the day tend to feel like nagging, and that is terrible for me… my inner adhd child just completely ignores them!
If I could change the voice on my Google Home to be Sir Anthony Hopkins reminding me of things, and giving me little motivational encouragement/affirmations I would be in Heaven (he is my total Hero ❤ I’d want to impress AI Sir Anthony! 🤣❤️🏆
I always put my hand on my chest when I feel like I and talking too much, getting hyper etc.
I then can feel how shallow I am breathing!
3 deep slow breaths and I feel immediately calmer, my speech slows, my voice lowers, and I can take on the world!!
@@erikajohnson3309 Would you be willing to put together an example of what a room cleaning card might have on it? I'm curious about how specific you get. I'm currently struggling a bit with the balance between breaking down the steps smaller so as not to be overwhelmed by the original task scope, but also not break it down so much I overwhelm myself with the number of steps.
Ive used the "one bag" stradigy, wothout even knowing it and done it for years even before i knew i had ADHD
I love the tip about having a starter to make taks easier to start.
It changes from most ADHD tips I often hear
Usually, a lot of ADHD tips I hear consists in :
- have a bigger home and get more containers
- buy more tech stuff and dump your head into it
I learned the Rubik's cube long ago, for no reason in particular. At some point in my adulthood, I started keeping one on my desk. It took me years to realize that I had been using it as a fidget when I'm on the phone or talking to a coworker. It's basically muscle memory now, so it's a good exercise to keep my hands busy and stop my mind from wandering without requiring any thought itself.
If only more people knew how good it is for people like us! I only learned in November but wish I'd have learned a long time ago.
And the bonus is the allistics don't think it's super weird.
@@robertabarnhart6240 - Thanks for teaching me a new word! 😊👍🏽
I started following this channel on the advice of my friend. In that time, I’ve learned so much and I can’t thank you enough. I’ve learned the connection between my childhood trauma/adhd and overeating and have lost 65 pounds since I started watching because I’m not CONSTANTLY eating to compensate for my lack of energy/control/regulation/etc. I still have a LONG way to go, but I’m a better mom, wife, and person thanks to the skills I’ve learned here. Thank you for that. I feel WORTHY again.
Awwwww we're so glad that our content could help
These tips were so good, two things I do that others might find helpful:
- I keep my socks in a bin by my shoes so there's one less way to get hijacked by side quests trying to get out the door;
- and I used to be notoriously bad about locking my keys in the car or locking myself out of the house, so now I have a rule that I can only lock doors WITH the keys; no twisting the inside door lock, or hitting the lock button on the car door anymore. I haven't locked myself out of anything in years :)
I have the same rule for my apartment door! I haven't needed to implement it for the car but that's b/c I'd already built the habit years ago of physically touching my keys before closing the door/trunk. Most of the time I leave them in my hand (I gotta use them to get into my building and apartment anyways) but if they went into a pocket, I have to pat them or reach into the pocket and CONFIRM that they're in the spot that I'm 99% positive that I put them 3 seconds ago...
After accidentally locking myself out of my apartment while I was cooking and have a neighbor break me in with a credit card, I decided using the deadbolt was a much safer option for both not locking myself out accidentally and not letting anyone else break in!
Yeah! I manually lock my car doors and quadruple check that my keys are actually in my hand or purse before I close the door. Especially because my car is not the kind that unlocks if the key is nearby.
Im known at my office for locking my keys in my car. I ended up getting a new car after my other needed an expensive repair. It literally will not lock while off with the keys in it. My boss said it was my best purchase. 😂
The keys and being locked out is Me! I have to have my keys in my hand before closing my car door. If I absent-mindedly drop them in my purse when I park, I Have to fish them out and be physically touching them. If I'm getting out, but still driving (stop to check the mail, switch places with my teen driver, etc) the window Has to be down during the transition. I have to be over the top to make it important enough!
When I was working as a programmer in an office setting I had a playlist of NES/SNES/GB soundtracks, most of which were ripped directly from the games. I listened to that music in the same order every time and actually documented the date and time whenever the playlist rolled over. The instrumental repetitive music helped me block out the rest of my environment and establish flow and routine.
I'm stealing this one! That's so smart!
When you do a list video, I'd love it if you would recap the items at the end. Even just a list on screen as you talk through your outro. Great content! Thanks!
Never heard of 'outro'. Lol took my brain a few seconds to compute the info! 😂
To make taking a shower easy, I put all the towels and my underwear in the bathroom, so I don't need to bring anything there I just take everything off wash myself and get out.
To sorting clothes easy, I just hang most of the things. No need to fold, honestly.
To make taking vitamins easy, I bought five of those one week pillboxes, so I don't have to refill them every week.
To charging my devices easy, I bought multiple extension cords. I have a charger and a cable next to my pc, my bed, my couch and my kitchen.
I also use a lot of single use things like; plates, cups, forks, spoons etc. it may cost a bit, but it is worth it.
I think on Amazon there is a monthly pill box.
@@candycemonroe7345 Thanks, I just checked them out. They have a small capacity. I am kinda big person and I take a lot of vitamins. But this could work for a lot of people
I store a t-shirt with the towels near the shower to dry my curly hair.
I used to forget to bring one, now it lives there.
My boyfriend has a deodorant on his desk top. I often use it, too, when I remember I forgot to use it in the bathroom.
(Should probably store the deodorant next to the toothpaste)
@@bernadette8727you could buy 5-6 deodorants and store it everywhere in the hause
Why do you find using single use things for eating and drinking helpful for your ADHD?
I use my Rubik´s cube to test my stress and anxiety levels.
I have noticed, that whenever I´m overwhelmed, I make mistakes solving the cube.
So, whenever I feel that the cube is a bit more difficult for me, I try to get myself to bed ASAP, and also try to stay away from communication with other people to avoid unnecessary conflict. Rubi´s cube serves as a great ADHD-management tool.
That’s actually really really neat!!!
Psychedelics definitely have potential to deal with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, I would like to try them again but it's just so hard to source out here
I’ve been researching on psychedelics and it’s benefits to individuals dealing with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and from my findings, they really work and I’ve been eager to get some for a while but its been difficult to get my hands on them.
The Trips I've been having really helped me a lot. I’m now able to meditate and I finally feel in control of my emotions and my future and things that used to be mundane to me now seem incredible and full of nuance on top of that I'm way less driven by my ego and I have alot more empathy as well
I was having this constant, unbearable anxiety due to work stress. Not until I came across a very intelligent mycologist. He saved my life honestly
@@AnaSolano190
I feel the same way too. I put too much on my plate and it definitely affects my stress and anxiety levels. I am also glad to be a part of this community.
@@JamesFJohnsonDoes he deliver to various locations?
I keep the light on in the Laundry room while i have a load in since it reminds me to actually turn it over. I hate leaving lights on so it motivates me to get up when i see it and since im already up it's easier to switch the load.
*Edit for extra tip.
When I start doing Laundry I bring my 3 laundry baskets into the laundry room. (Whites, colors, and jeans/towels) So I can just flip things over when I actually get up. I also do whites or jeans first so I can split colors into a light basket and a dark basket. The easier it is to throw things in, the better.
I do the same thing!
Thank you for the tip, my laundry room is beside the computer but I still forget to move the wash when I hear it stop.
i use a similar method to the laundry thing for when im tidying my room
instead of looking at how i need to ut away laundry, collect trash, put stuff away, remove dishes, etc. i start by clearing a space on the floor literally by just shoving stuff outta the way. then i start sorting stuff into piles. it might seem like more effort but to me starting off by sorting it into piles seems like less of a task. and even if i end up running out of motivation after sorting it, at the very least it looks less messy than it did before, giving me a sense of achievement.
not to mention it makes the task easier to get back to since ill tell myself "clearing this one pile will only take five minutes.". if i feel like doing more after that i will, and if not i will still feel like ive achieved more than i would have if id cleared the same amount of stuff from a fully messy room (if that makes sense)
I listen to a book or a podcast while I fold Marie Kondo style. It’s so relaxing, it’s actually my reward time now.
Don’t have adhd but anxiety and I do that starter thing too. It just automates your brain so you can act when you need to act, instead of figuring out or trying to remember what you need to be doing
Finding ways to start tasks that don’t require my brain to be at its sharpest has definitely proven to be one of the most effective, yet challenging to find ADHD management strategies for me so far.
I’ve recently been experimenting with creating outlines using an outline app like Tana that represent whatever it is that I need to understand to address a task. This kind of outline is kind of like a simplified version of the DOM (Document Object Model), if you’re familiar with web development. I like this approach because I can use it to break down a wide variety of things in a consistent way, kind of like translating unfamiliar things into a “language” I understand and am familiar with.
As someone who had a late diagnosis, this has shown me that I’ve been doing some of these to cope and get things done without realizing it’s a way to manage my adhd. Love this!
Same! I realized I had adhd after learning about the various tools adhders use to help them and realized I'd been doing a lot of them myself for decades bc I had the same issues. Hmmm....
Oh my goodness! The laundry trick I had never thought about, but yesterday I was helping an elderly woman fold her laundry and I was having trouble starting so I just started sorting them, though what I'd do is fold them into their sorted piles. I didn't realize that was me coping with ADHD.
For my laundry sorting, I bought a bunch of dollar store laundry baskets, and when it's time to put away all the clean laundry, start by spreading them around the bedroom, deciding on which basket is gonna hold which items, and get to tossing. I also open a few dresser drawers to toss drawer stuff in as I'm going. (I don't fold drawer stuff - house t-shirts, pj bottoms, socks, and undergarments. I don't care if these items are wrinkled and if I can't fit them all stuffed, I get rid of some. Oh, and the drawers are labeled) Then I take some hangers, the tops basket, and the bottoms basket, and make outfits on hangers.
I’d like to propose a tool I used to use that I’ve just now dubbed “virtual me!” Basically you set up a sequence of Google Home or Amazon Alexa or other automations where the assistant voice speaks to you using your own words to guide you through routines like waking up, writing down goals, or getting started with work. You can build in motivators, break up the speech with other automatic functions like music, timers, and information like weather or fun facts. Most important is nobody knows better than you how to convince yourself to do things. I used this strategy to logic myself into getting out of bed among other things.
Pros: One-time setup, offload all the thinking, super customizable, can integrate smart home products like the coffee maker or lights and adjust volume automatically as needed for the moment.
Cons: Becomes predictable over time, highly involved to set up and adjust, easy to de-activate if you’re determined. Disruptive to others in the house.
I’m open to suggestions for improvements
I do something similar! Something I have added is my phone has routines when certain things happen. When it connects to my car's Bluetooth, it turns on "Do not disturb" so I don't get calls or texts while I'm driving. When it connects to my work Wi-Fi it silences the volume and sets the ringer to vibrate, and then when it connects to my home Wi-Fi it turns the ringer volume back on.
Something I want to add when I learn a bit more about it is RFID tags. Like to mark that I fed the dogs, took my meds, to set a timer for my laundry, set a timer for watering the garden, etc.
@@GruntyHerder Wow! Those triggers sound even better and more accurate than GPS location-based ones!
As someone who struggles with executive dysfunction and chronic illness I find the sorting clothes before folding them method so helpful. I love having my clothes folded and put away neatly (laundry is actually my favorite chore) but I don't always have the spoons to get it all done in a single session/day.
I also really like the Jonaxel system from IKEA for clothes organization because the drawers are made out of wire mesh. It keeps things tidy while still giving me enough of a visual as to what's in each drawer. They're super customizable too!
Clothing Cubbies: I may have to implement this once I have my own place and have a stable situation!
MVP: I've actually been aware of the concept of "minimum viable process" SPECIFICALLY for my laundry xD I have "mount laundrymore" as I like to call it... as I was starting to pack up my clothing in a box to in the near future move, I started setting "minimum completion goals". Wash AND dry an entire basket. Started having the basket separated so THIS side of the room is dirty, THIS side of the room is clean. And then THIS basket is sock, bedlinen, towels, etc.
Compassionate hands: I DO THIS!!
Chaining down your keys: I actually keep my house/mail/shed keys on a lanyard with my sensory bunny (:
Wow, I will definitely be using the compassionate hand technique! I love that idea.
I also do a thing similar to starters, but a bit backward. I like to set up the first step of whatever process I'm struggling with, so I can just sit down and jump into it the next time I think of it. For example, at the end of the workday, I'll open up all the tabs for software I'll need for the first task of the next day. Or if I really don't want to fold the laundry, I'll just get the laundry out of the machine and place the hamper directly next to the spot I do all the sorting/folding/hanging. I don't have to actually complete the task, just "set up the first step." This takes down the pressure of the entire process, but I'm doing at least something so I get a bit of a dopamine hit. Also, it eliminates the executive function needed for doing the task the next time, since I can just sit down and get to it without having to think of what comes first and go through the transition of setting it up, etc. Sometimes when I set up the first step, I'll actually just complete the whole task anyway since I'm on a roll, and I find that if the first step is set up I will end up doing the task when I have a moment of boredom since its an easy thing to start since it's all set up.
I do that "first step setup" too, except it's usually more as a reminder for me to do the thing ^^;;
Starters is the most genius strategy I could ever like….. this is how I will live now
I’ve put the tools I need beside the box with the shelf to be assembled. It’s to late to start it, but I did one more step in the process to help tomorrow me.
One of my strategies for getting in the headspace for cooking my dinners, which is a problem for me, is to take out every ingredient and stack them together. I then leave it until I'm in the right headspace, and when I do start, it feels like I've skipped something that isn't automated, and so is daunting to me. Just another way of building up to doing something.
Ooooooooo how does that work for cold stuff? Do you just take like a 5 minute break so it doesn't get too warm?
@HowtoADHD So, if there are multiple cold ingredients, I'll also put those ingredients in a separate pile within the fridge. I prepare my meals in a very specific way, which I subconsciously think is to save time. For instance, most days I'll have fried eggs on toast with goat's cheese spread. So I'll put the bread in the toaster, and take out two eggs and place them beside the cooker. Then a few mins later I'll break the eggs into the pan, instantly flick on the toaster. Then I take out the spread plate and knife. It's sounds silly, but I want to maximize my breaks, so I don't want to spend too much time and thought on cooking.
To help me get a lot of chores done I try and tell myself to stick to the Pareto Principle, the 80/20 rule. I will often tackle the largest items first in order to make a more impactful visual signal of progress. I will often wade off into the weeds hyperfocusing on some minutiae but when I can manage to bring the 80/20 rule back into my brain it will allow me to tell myself "No! Do the most work with the least effort. Stop what you are doing right now!" and shift to the more productive work.
An example of this could be cleaning up the kitchen. I'll start organizing the dirty dishes so they are taking up less space on the counter and it makes it easier to tackle washing the dishes. Maybe I free up counter space and notice the counter is dirty so I get some soap and a clean cloth to clean it up. But then I notice there's something spilled on a cupboard door so I start scrubbing the cupboard doors. This is often where my brain will remind me that I need to do the 80% of the work that takes 20% of the effort and scrubbing the cupboard doors is NOT part of that 80% of the work I need to be doing. If I manage to get all the biggest impact things done and I still have the energy or wherewithal to continue then I may revisit some of those tasks I forced myself to stop and get those done at that point.
I've been sorting my laundry before folding for years. 😅 I knew it helped but I never put 2 and 2 together. AND I love my clothes cubbies
OMG the compassionate hand is one that would literally make me cry. I'd really need to spend a lot of time with my Rubik's Cube after doing that for myself.
Haha made me cry
I like using to-do lists on whiteboards, but the one I had was too small so I bought a roll of magic white and two massive sheets of MDF I now have two whiteboards that are 120cm by 60cm. I really can’t ignore them!
Growing up, my older brother had a bookshelf with sliding doors that he used instead of a dresser, and I was so jealous because it got rid of the frustration of drawers. I just bought a house and I'm excited because the closet in what will be my room has shelves that I'm going to use instead of a dresser. ^_^
I accept being a brain and I'm happy about it!! 🧠
This is completely unrelated or related. Thanks for picking such a soft material for the hoodie you sell (the dopamine one). One of my strategies, especially if I'm starting a day that I know will be challenging, is to wear something comfortable, and this hoodie checked off that box today. Thanks!
Recently I realized I have planning too many things in a roll and the time management of that is overwhelming. So I started putting an alarm for everything, specifically when I’m on my phone. I’ll but an alarm for 15 mins and think “ok, I’m allowed to be on my phone until the alarm goes off, then I have to go do laundry. It’s working like a charm.
Austistic (maybe ADHD) teacher: I have a Megamix, not a Rubic's Cube (12 sides, same thing), but it's the same purpose. It works great as a fidget for me, AND as either a fidget or a reward for the students. I'm not the only teacher I know in the 4th-6th grade range that uses a cube-thing as a combination bonding tool, fidget, and reward.
Rubik's Cube was my hyperfocus for a long time on an hour long commute until I figured out how to solve it without a tutorial. Now I use it as a figit. I also can solve it in 1-5 minutes, depending on how much I've practiced and how hard I'm trying, together with a little luck. I uploaded my method to RUclips many years ago to a channel called Easy Rubik's Cube. It is easier than the beginner's method and more repetitive. Good for anyone who who wants to do it as a figit. It is not a fast method, so if you are going for speed, ignore that.
Sounds intriguing. I can't find your channel. Link?
@@thesuperjill If you search "Rubik's Cube Cheeseburger" you'll find it. That's the name of one of the moves and there's not much else that comes up in that search. Click the channel. That's the only thing there.
I would absolutely LOVE to talk with you about some of the ADHD strategies that work for me, which is not many TBH. I can't pick the best right one at the moment, there's a lot of pressure here, but... Yeah. As a 29 year old going back to college i learned a lot in my first year, and different strategies for success in college, some of which are personal, but most of which can apply to the majority of those with ADHD in post secondary.
@FenrirAldebrand - This is Eddie, one of the channel producers. I’d love to chat with you and potentially feature some of your strategies in a future video. Can you email me at eddie@howtoadhd.com
@@HowtoADHD Absolutely! That would be amazing! I'll start drafting an email as soon as I can! Thank you. 💜
I have a similar process for laundry, but I sort out of the dryer into 8 small baskets. Then, at a different time, I will grab one basket and fold it. Since it's small, it doesn't take long and I feel accomplished for finishing a whole basket. It helps break it up.
The sorting step of laundry is something that definitely helps me! Tip the clothes on the bed, my husband gets 3 piles to go in his 3 drawers of the dresser (underwear/socks, tops, and bottoms), I have more because I actually pair my socks and have more types of underwear plus some of my clothes get hung up. Then I put away what I have energy for - we don't really fold stuff, I pair my socks and roughly fold trousers/jeans - usually it is just the things that need to be hung up that go back in the basket to be finished off later, as once sorted the rest just gets shoved in the allocated drawer.
Brand new ADHD here and this has been informative!
Part of my winding down sequence at night is prepping my water bottles for work the next day. I fill them and put them in and near my work backpack. I use two half gallon bottles, and one 32 ounce Brita bottle. Using the big bottles not only keeps me hydrated at work, but I also don't half to stop every half an hour to fill something, interrupting my flow. I sleep better knowing I don't have ONE MORE THING to do on my way out the door in the morning. Little burst of dopamine before bed, and an easier morning.
I have been reading your book HOW TO ADHD in a local restaurant after my brain gets too tired to study my STEM coursework (or after 1-3 hours of study). My brain needs a balance of non-STEM/STEM in order to best process learning.
People come up to me and ask if they can take a picture of the book cover. I also tell them about your RUclips channel so they can get an idea of the flavor of your approach.
Yesterday it was a total stranger just in the area to make sure her husband's mother's cat gets fed while she is on vacation, so not even someone who saw me before at the restaurant. Surprising how even just your book cover appeals to people just looking for solutions!
I wasn't sure if purchasing your book would be worth it, being that you have so much valuable online content. I am about half way through. I will read it more than once and highlight, scribble in margins etc.
Thank you for your online and book content. The online is great for smaller snippets, but I have found myself both laughing and crying at some of the stories in the book because I spend more time with it.
I have separate cubbies for different types of clothing, and for the clothing types where I have more than one cubby's worth, they get categorized further. So my tops are sorted into shoulder straps, short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves and long sleeves. It really helps find exactly the piece of clothing I'm looking for, or where to look if I just want something sleeveless when it's hot outside. I highly recommend it if you're able to do it (but you may just end up with a big "to be sorted" pile in front of the cubbies). 😅
Ha! I already use several of these!
* I have a Rubik's Cube next to me and it really does help me deal with anxiety in the short term because it distracts my attention. I also have a specific pattern that I find especially pleasing that I'll go to quite often, and then back to solved, of course.
* Sorting before folding laundry is a huuuge help too, and it *especially* helped my ex (she's ADHD, I'm AuDHD) - I still remember the look of appreciation and gratitude she gave me when I told her I had sorted her laundry for her to fold.
* For clothes, I actually prefer using dressers since that's my organizational preference, but my ex did use clothes cubbies. For *food* however...I want that out on the table or counter so I remember to eat it.
* Compassionate Hand is another one where I'm realizing now, "oh, *that's* (part of) why I do that" - physical touch is my top love language and the most soothing things are usually touch-related.
* Starter lists is a *great* idea, I'm gonna start looking for ways to do that - I do sorta have something similar, but it's all mental, and having it written out would be super useful.
* One bag - I do this with my church/study group backpack - it has a study notebook, art book, Bible, prayer/testimony notebook, a couple crochet things, and a bottle of water. It's great to be able to just pick it up and go when I'm running late (as usual) to church or Bible study! I, uh.....also do this with the pockets in my outside pants/shorts so I'll wear them for days in a row (when I go outside, that is - I wear comfy pajamas in the house!).
* Key on a chain - I've been doing this with a lanyard for 13 years! I have a carabiner with a bunch of randomish stuff on it that I clip to my shorts/pants, and then the lanyard is on it and has my car/house keys on the end of it. It has saved me from getting out of the car with my keys in the ignition several times, and the conscious effort it takes to detach the keys from the lanyard means I'll remember to put it back (also it feels wrong otherwise).
* And I'll add one of my own: anything and everything that I find to be really important to remember or keep in mind, I'll leave it out where I can easily see it. Not stuff like, say, tools or clothes, where I know where it is when it comes to mind, but rather things like Bible verses that I write on index cards and pin to my closet door (which is metal so I can use magnets!!! :D), and prayer braids to remind me to pray for specific people, and I leave my Bible open all the time so it's easy to look at it and read something rather than having to open the book, and I put reminder notes in places that I spend a lot of time at so I see them more easily, and so on and so forth. I recently wrote an encouraging message to myself on an index card and I'm just leaving it on the table so it's in front of me over and over and over again. Basically, anything that's important to remember *often* (not just when I think/realize I need it), I set up a visual trigger to remind me of the thing. It works! (...most of the time lol. I'll still put off the IBNUs quite often...but it helps to have visual triggers!)
* Oh, and another one: write down reminders in the place you need them - the check engine light has been on in my car for *months* and I kept getting frustrated that I would turn it on and see the light, and realized that I still hadn't gone to an auto mechanic to have them check what the problem was. The engine was still running mostly fine, so it was an IBNU, and *finally*, a few weeks ago, I realized that I kept forgetting about it because when I got out of the car, my mind was focused on the thing I was going to next, and I always forgot to write down a reminder. The only place I remembered the problem was *in* the car and driving. But while I'm driving, I can't write down a note. So finally, what worked, was I got to a place and *before* I got out of the car, I opened up the notes app on my phone and wrote it down, and then left the app open and on top so I would remember it every time I looked at my phone until I finally got to an auto place to check it. So I did that a couple weeks ago and now my problem is I need to remember to order the replacement part...but hey, progress!
In the morning, instead of everyone shouting round the house saying that we are 10 minutes late, everyone has adapted to staying clam with means I’m not stressed out. One thing that I do is that I keep a spare fidget cube in my bag so if I just feel so fidgety one day, I’m not tapping my fingers on the desk. I love your videos so much!!
I hope you do another one of these! :) I'd be happy to be filmed for one of these. For my personally, a friend of mine introduced me to Google Assistant, and the friend helped me _tremendously_ by having an automatic 'checklist' where Google Assistant would give me a list of things I need to know/do today, including appointments, forecasted weather, and ended with a personal note by the friend as a personal motivator. It worked _really_ well for me.
I sort laundry first too. I also have a 4*5 grid soft box thing for underwear, and I use that as a game to store them using matching pattern & colour lines
It’s crazy to hear that people do the same things I do. Recently discovered I have ADHD but I’ve been using a Rubik’s cube as a fidget and sorting my laundry since forever.
I keep about 6 feet of paracord in my pocket to fidget with. It's a great lubricant for conversations as people often ask "how many knots do you know?" or "can you show me one?". I also am skilled enough to tie a few repetitive patterns (used for bracelets, keychains, etc) without looking at my hands.
that one bag to rule them all -- I've done that since I was in college, and my friends were surprised by the weight of my back pack like 'what do you carry? rocks?'
i love fidgeting with a folding pocket knife, similar to how i would fidgeting with a fixed blade. Also, with the laundry, I like to sort my clothes first so it's easier for me to fold the clothes after sorting.
One strategy that I started using as regularly as humanly possible, and that I learned from Haley Honeymoon - another ADHD and Autism influencer who makes videos sharing tips for those of us who have ADHD, Autism, or both. I decided to try this around a year ago just because I have a habit of sitting and staring at a wall on Saturday and Sunday mornings, even if I do have stuff to do or somewhere to go. I realized that I have an easier time (easier is a very loose term) getting myself up and moving in the morning during the week when I typically have work. I may struggle to get out the door on time, but I still get up and go to work whether I want to or not, because as much as I sometimes wish that I would just by some miracle get a text that the power was out and that I didn't have to go in, I knew if I did during the week what I would do and still sometimes do during the weekend, I would show up SUPER LATE and get fired. It's the choice aspect, I know I have MUCH LESS off a choice, so I just get up and get my butt in gear. So I thought, I would try and treat the weekends like work... sort of. Of course I don't get up nearly as early, but I still get up and I do one of 3 things, I get myself something to eat and refill my water cup, I throw on some clothes, or I wash my face, bangs, and brush my teeth. I also try and run my errands first, to again, knock out some of the decision fatigue paralysis and the time paralysis struggles that keep me from getting out of my chair and getting started when I have to leave the house. I also know that the longer I wait to run those errands, the least likely I am to go and do them, no matter how important they are to me. Sometimes I even try to create a mini launch pad for myself, like set out my clothes, pack my purse, and brew my coffee so I can my iced coffee the next day once I got home from running what ever errands I had to run, or whenever I decided to take a break from the chores I had to do..... SO maybe not just one, but a few. I struggle a lot with motivation, especially during the weekends when I don't have something like a Job to go to. Sometimes, even something like a prescheduled appointment is enough to motivate me to get moving, just as long as they aren't too late in the afternoon. But that's a start to my toolbox.
EDIT (after reading someone's comment about listening to certain types of music to get them motivated), I used to do something similar to do chores, just my high energy music playlist, but I listen to it regardless now. I actually created and workshopped a playlist while I was in college (actually almost about to graduate college) and that was around the time that I struggle the most to concentrate when I have any music with lyrics, or outside dialogue playing in the background. So I created an instrumental playlist full of music from my favorite video games, and still use it do this day whenever I have stuff to do for work, or whenever I want to read but don't want to read in silence. I have to be careful though, because sometimes if I'm really not in the headspace to do work work, or to read, the music can just make me want to play the game.
i love how during the starters interview i zoned out and got focused on your face as your smiling because it seemed you already zoned out since you already knew what he was gonna say so you would smile or look at the camera and say yaya to let him know your listening/understand
Rubik's cubes and similar puzzles have been my obsession for a while :D If you are considering getting one as fidget, I suggest to go for quality (look for GAN cubes), it needs to turn very smoothly to be a good fidget. Two by two cubes are also a nice start - smaller and easier to solve.
I made a list with certain times I have to do things by for work. It works really well and I rarely ever forget to do something, but the downside is if someone comes in and orders, I get extremly nervous thinking I'm off track now and have to get everything clean again. It's stressful but also works because I've never gotten out later than ten minutes after closing due to my schedule.
When I was a child, my favorite strategy was music: play a cassette and clean one part of my room (dresser, closet, floor, desk, under bed, etc,) for the length of each song. When I grew up and had my own place, I applied the same trick to rooms: one song per room was enough each day. Now that I am old, or maybe because of cell phones, my patience for this has waned, and instead, I count backwards from 10 in each room: cleaning up 10 things.
I do the sorting thing already because it helps me see it in smaller piles. It is the only way for me
I particularly appreciated Glenn's strategy. I can see how working the cube makes social interaction better for him and respect how he honours other people by watching how they are doing with the interaction and changing to help them have a good conversation too.
The challenge of the Mari Kondo method is that with ADHD has the interest to find, but not to set or place. I've settled with using baskets for body wear, wash rags, bath towels, and rags. I don't mind hunting for a matching pair of socks in a bin of clothes, but I never have the spoons to sort and fold them.
Ey! Listened to this episode while folding laundry. I sort my laundry before folding too for those exact reasons! Glad I'm not the only one who finds it helpful!
I have three collapsible bins I dump my laundry into when I bring my basket back from the laundromat. One for socks and undies, one for bottoms, and one for tops.
It seems like more work, but honestly it takes under 5 minutes and it makes my brain feel less overwhelmed (also the sorting is a bit of a dopamine hit).
That way when I eventually get to folding (I also still do Marie Kondo style), I can do it one bin at a time and everything's already grouped and probably going in the same place. it also makes socks easier to pair, and if I need clean clothes I at least know what bin to look in and I don't have to sift through as much.
Other things that have helped me (laundry wise):
- Drawer organizers/cubbies/dividers. I don't ball my socks, so pairing them and putting them in the little sections of the sock organizer makes them easier to find. It also keeps me from having too many socks because I limit myself to what can fit in the organizer (I have one for warmer seasons and one for colder and I switch them out based on season)
- Shoving out-of-season clothes in a box in a closet and switching them out when the time comes (It gives my drawers more room)
- I set up a set of hooks by my bed (above my hamper) for clothes that are too dirty to put away, but not dirty enough to put in the hamper yet. It keeps them off the floor and is a little tidier to look at than "the chair"
I also limit stuff to the space I assign them to! This makes so much sense to me and I don't ruminate over decluttering so much.
Crazy that there is another person who goes by "Pi" in this community. My attention was starting to wander (big surprise) until I heard my name.
Thanks for the tips!
:D thanks! pi (w/ chewbacca mask)
I use cubbies too, not only because it's insight, but it's also lighter to move around if I move - I have the metal ones that you put together however you like
Just tossing in that using cubbies for clothes works really well for me, not only because of the ease of seeing everything but also because I'm super allergic to dust mites and they have a much harder time breeding in things more exposed to air. You'd think sealing things up in drawers would be better but I have much less allergy issues with the clothes getting some air. (A made bed is also a great place for them to breed so it isn't just laziness that I never make mine! 😄)
Timestamps:
1:00 Rubik's Cube
3:00 Minimum Viable Product/Process
5:21 Clothing Cubbies
6:50 Compassionate Hand
8:40 Starters
11:12 Lightning Round!
11:42 Toolbox on Notion
Yeah i use a speed cube as well, i find it very satisfying, speedcubes are also really nice to turn and snappy. But also like the quieter sound of the speedcube. And its a good brain teaser
Its great for waits, refocusing(when im scattered), it can also be used to catapult yourself into doing work, also yes its a destressor, too.
Which speed cube do you use? I use the GAN 11 M Pro precisely because it's really quiet and feels like I need it to feel.
@@GlenHunt i don’t remember the name of it lol. I think its the yuzu one but i don’t remember. I just looked up some speedcube reviews and found a cheap alternate that still had everything that they liked. Was like $10 i think. Still got everything except like 4 magnets i think.
@@Mindstormer That's got to make it feel a little strange with missing magnets. I might actually like that. It would help me focus more. Hmmm...
@@GlenHunt it still has magnets but there are a couple more on the higher tier gan cubes that make it even more solid. it hardly changed much IMO
If I used a Rubik’s Cube to focus…I’d probably just end up feeling dumb for not solving it which would add to my anxiety.
You'd probably learn it beforing using it as a fidget
I have to keep mine out of sight because otherwise I end up using it when I'm supposed to be typing. But I know where it is when there's a meeting.
@@glarynth Well, you COULD learn to solve it with your feet. Just sayin'. 🤣🤣🤣
I've started bringing my fidget toys with me to work (I'm a Musician, songwriter, producer and a sound engineer!) and having them in the pockets of my cargos - So at a show when I'm in a full focus on my playing, focussing on the desk for bands, doing set up etc... I don't need them as I'm 100% in the performance. But the other aspects of it (networking, merch, spending time watching other bands etc) where I'm getting overstimulated, I grab them out my pocket and start playing with them. At the festivals I've been working at (Playing or engineering) over the last summer, they've been an absolute lifesaver for me!
Chaining down my keys.. yeah.. I used to spend so much time and money on a locksmith (to a point we even greeted each other on a first name basis out on the street) and one day a good friend of mine at the time gave me this chain and a snap hook and from then on, I could only forget my keys when I wasn't wearing trousers :D
I have adhd and additionally I’m an idiot, Rubiks have always made me furiously aggravated. But I’ll try the other tips!
Clothes and laundry routines are my nemesis! My brain puts so much energy into avoiding it but I hate having a floordrobe. Laundry exhausts me to tears!
For backpacks, I love Vertx because the inside is lined with velcro. I can swap out pouches and organizers as needed. I liked having the ability to dump things I would carry on a flight and swap for the tools I needed for the job.
I like the starter tips, only thing is that it’s too many steps and seems too overwhelming to do the one task. Instead I would just do 3-4 steps. Maybe like “put on headphones and start music” “do 5 minute warmup to see how you feel” “if feel good, continue workout”. I have lost trouble getting started, but once I’m already going, I know I will do it unless I’m really not feeling well, and if I stop, which is rare, it’s good because I won’t associate activity with incredible pain
Recently improved my laundry game so much by hanging my clothes outside. For me it makes the task enjoyable like a little break instead of a chore plus I see it hanging outside and remember to take it down. Then I fold as I am taking it down meaning I get to be outside and bring my dog and it makes it so much easier
Agree on the Rubric cube … I often solve it “mostly” without even looking.
I like the Rubik’s cube fidget because it’s more mindful and engaging than other fidgets.
Also, I tried a compassionate hand on my chest and immediately started crying 😭 ❤
I seldom leave the house (never if on bike) without my backpack. I know that doesn't project manly confidence at my age but, like Dennis Reynolds, "I have to have my TOOLS." I have never for a minute been a roll out of bed, grab the wallet, and Go type. Gotta have something for every situation.
I don't even fold laundry. I tried the cubbies but most of the clothes are the same color so I just forget about the existence of 60% of them. So I just toss my clothes into baskets. A basket for t-shirts, sweaters, trousers and pjs. That way I don't have to worry about folding them again and can just scramble them around the basket to see what I have.
We have a separate room for storage on the same floor as our apartment and we set it up with shelfs and a lot of medium sized translucent plastic boxes.
Every box has their theme (baking stuff, hiking gear, tools, Christmas decorations, my seasonal wardrobe change, board games, crafting supplies...).
If we need anything, we take the whole box into our apartment, use the thing, throw it back into the box and store the box away again.
Sometimes the boxes stand a few days next to the door, but we know where they belong.
Inside most of the boxes reigns chaos, but because they are not that big we are able to find what we need.
And I can easily organise one box at a time, when I feel like it.
This was a life changer!!
When I was a child and had to clean my room when it was a disaster it seemed like an Impossible task. What I learned to do was to first sort everything in the room into piles: clothes, toys, etc... after that, even though I had not yet put a single thing away, it felt SO easy because the chaos was gone and replaced with order...
Oh, wow, the compassionate hand method was exactly what I didn't realize I needed right now. Thank you John C. and the HTADAD team 💖💖
With Laundry, I think I have perfected the technique.
From the start:
I have an ikea box for daywear and nightwear, and a chair for coats/tomorrows outfit and "wear again"
Clothes get taken off outside out and put straight in laundry basket next to wardrobe. Sheets and towels get placed straight into machine when I get up on the weekend.
Clothes get washed on 40 degrees so no need to sort light and dark. Do a mixed load.
Hang clothes on a clothes line, and keep 1 line section for each item. Then you sort your clothes as you go. (This part requires a music or podcast)
Clothes get folded as they go into the basket (just in half). Then I tell myself that I cant put the basket down until the clothes are packed into the 2 ikea boxes.
(I dont have many clothes, around 1 weeks worth)
I love Kira's sort before you fold system. It makes sense. If there is something that is needed and I see it after the sort, I can put it where I can get my hands on it really quickly
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! Giving me willingness to help myself for others!
I absolutely do the same method for laundry but never realized that I liked doing it that way from an ADHD perspective! The clock behind you needs a new battery...the second hand is not moving 😆
A clothing shelf works for me EXCEPT it's not ideal if you're allergic to dustmites....I suppose a curio-type cabinet that's has a glass front would be ideal. What's nice about shelves is that it's easy to slide/move stuff over. Compared to if I have to take things out of compartments and put them back in, it's never going to be put back neatly. Sliding stuff is where it's at -- this goes for shelves of any type. If you have wire shelves for anything it's 1000% not ADHD friendly in that regard, except for that there's minimal dust collecting when it comes to cleaning.
Unknowingly I am doing most of them, but never tried laundry folding trick. It sounds amazing, need to try.
Thank you thank you thank you so much for posting this video 🙏.
You help me a enormous amount!
The validation of seeing other people in your video struggling but finding away forward makes me so much better about my ADHD 😊
In my case, I hate myself.
Because some people say to be yourself, but you can't be yourself....
It's weird
So.... I signed up for 2 summer courses (6 weeks long) and put off them for 3.5/4 weeks... so I have 123 assignments I had to do in just over 2 weeks. These last 2 weeks were hell. I was averaging 5 hours of sleep, wasn't parenting how I wanted (way more reactive than productive) and in general was completely miserable. I had my first panic attack in years, and that's what got me looking for solutions.
Thank you so much for this toolbox. I only had 2 of the tools(write things down and body doubling) that you put on here in my actual toolbox and I am excited to have so much more I can try. The "starters" are the first tool I am trying out!!
I do the laundry things too! It’s like the physical manifestation of breaking down a todo list into smaller tasks and it feels more manageable to fold category by category. It’s also great to listen to a funny podcast while doing it it feels like I’m gossiping while folding lol and I have two hampers: clean/wearable in case I did laundry but don’t have enough dopamine to finish folding lol and then dirty clothes hamper
OMG, my housemate got me watching Monk and I didn't know you were in it, but I just saw you!! That was so cool!
Glad to know I am not the only one who sorts their landry in cloth bins
I LOVE Notion. I use it for work and have some really great things built out. I’m excited to try this toolbox for my personal account!
The Rubik's Cube thing has been a new thing for me too! I discovered this about 3 months ago, and it's been great!
"I just sleep with the laundry" 😂 - My sister and I have a name for this system, it's something like "Push and sleep" 😂
Lol the Rubik's cube!! I use that, it helps me when I'm stuck or anxious or if I want to procrastinate but not too much 😅
The compassionate hand could be a thing for me!
When I feel lonely and my skin is itching for human contact (and my partner or another person I trust is not here to hug me) I wrap a warm shawl tight around my upper body to mimic the feeling of human connection.
yay just the video i was hyped about :D also i love the adhd community how we always support each other and help each other w tips
Yeah!!! The community is amaaaazzziiiiinggg!!
@@HowtoADHD it is!!