As an ADHD creative (artist, writer, entertainer, etc.), managing your life can often feel like an uphill battle. From struggling to keep track of deadlines to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks, it's easy to feel you're constantly falling behind. When you're creative, your right brain is all over the place, giving you your next idea and potential project. We couldn't make that part of us settle down if we tried (trust me, even I've tried). However, when we don't engage in our left hemisphere, we often get overwhelmed with the execution piece. Managing this daily without a plan can feel chaotic and unpleasant, messing with our creative output and also affecting our self-image. So how can our creative neurodivergent mind wrangle this daily struggle in a healthy manner?
Because our collaborative brain likes to chase its next "high" by engaging (often only) with tasks and projects that are the most stimulating and intriguing. Mundane items like scheduling, making lists, and even chores aren't usually on our minds...unless it's suddenly urgent and needs to happen right now. So, to give our creative brains a fighting chance, we need to pick up a few skills to provide us balance, so we can be productive and brilliantly creative!
With a few simple organizational life hacks, you can learn to manage your life more effectively and reduce stress.
Here are seven organizational life hacks that can help ADHD adult creatives to manage their lives better:
Use a Task Management System One of the biggest challenges for ADHD creatives is managing their time and staying on top of tasks. To help with this, consider using a task management system. There are many great task management tools available, including Trello, Asana, and Todoist. These tools allow you to create to-do lists, set deadlines, and track your progress. By having all your tasks in one place, you can stay organized and focused on what needs to be done.
Simplify Your Schedule Another challenge for ADHD creatives is managing their schedule. Trying to fit too many tasks into a day can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. To avoid this, try to simplify your schedule. Focus on the most important tasks and prioritize them. Schedule breaks throughout the day to give yourself time to recharge and avoid burnout.
Create a Dedicated Workspace Having a dedicated workspace can help you stay organized and focused. If possible, create a space in your home that is just for work. This could be a spare room, a corner of your bedroom, or even just a desk in your living room. Make sure your workspace is free from distractions and has everything you need to work effectively.
Use Time-Blocking: Time-blocking is a simple but effective way to manage your time. Essentially, you block out specific periods of time for specific tasks. This can help you stay focused and avoid distractions. For example, you might block out two hours in the morning for creative work, followed by an hour for emails and administrative tasks. By breaking your day into smaller, manageable chunks, you can stay focused and get more done.
Use a To-Do List: This might seem obvious, but a to-do list can be a powerful tool for managing your daily tasks. Make a list of everything you need to accomplish each day, and prioritize each task in order of importance. By breaking your day down into smaller, more manageable tasks, you'll feel less overwhelmed and more in control.
Break Tasks Into Smaller Pieces: One of the biggest challenges for ADHD adults is completing larger projects or tasks. When faced with a large project, break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. This will help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed. As you complete each piece, cross it off your to-do list to keep track of your progress.
Create a Routine: For many ADHD adults, routines can be a helpful way to stay organized and on track. Try to establish a regular routine for your day, including times for waking up, eating meals, and going to bed. By creating structure in your day, you'll be less likely to become
Managing your life as an ADHD creative can be challenging, but there are many organizational life hacks that can help. It's also very important to give yourself lots of grace as you get into new behaviors and practices of staying organized.
There will be times when you will feel awkward, maybe forget a task still, or even find yourself down a creative rabbit's hole instead of working on an item on your to-do list. Mistakes are inevitable, so take some time to adjust, and don't beat yourself up when your system doesn't work every single time. Just breathe, make some adjustments, and try again. Don't let perfectionism or self-doubt pull you away from something that can still work for you.
If you're a creative who is struggling to manage all the brilliant ideas in your head, but not sure how to turn those dreams into a workable reality, come see me, and let's talk. I help ADHD creatives find their rhythm and rekindle their joy in expressing themselves through art.
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