So…yes…there are articles everywhere with “ADHD tools” they’ll suggest, and most of them are actually legit. I’m not here to bash what you’ve found already.
What I am here to do is suggest some lesser-known things that could help your ADHD struggles, even for a little bit. If you’d rather watch the video, you can do that here.
Let’s do this, shall we?
For ADHD Forgetfulness: Dry Erase Markers
ADHD brains are always focused on something else. We can’t help that. It’s like someone put a high-horsepower engine in a Yugo, and I know from experience that this is frustrating. It can lead to suddenly forgetting things — especially when our poor asses need to write something down and have nothing to write it down with (by the way, the planner system I put together for ClickUp comes with printables for this very reason /shameless plug)
The answer is often sitting right next to us, because chances are, some other “ADHD tools” article told us to buy these, and a whiteboard: dry-erase markers.
Dry erase markers can write on multiple different surfaces, including most countertops and window glass. So having these around often means that the number of places you can write information has at least doubled. Take that Terrible Object Permanence!
*a caveat: don’t do this on porous surfaces or on walls. This won’t wipe off as cleanly, and then you’re staining everything, and I don’t wanna be responsible for any home improvement bills.
For Time Management issues: time management games
Don’t look at me like that. Video games can be helpful for a lot, time management and prioritization issues included. You just have to pick the right games.
For example, I got really into the game Diner Dash before cell phones became the main place to game. I know I sound ancient right now. Would you like a weird strawberry candy with no name on the wrapper? No? Okay well let me move on then.
Games like Diner Dash, or a new favorite of mine, Grand Hotel Mania, operate completely on the concept of keeping multiple people happy. You have to pay attention to who gets angry the fastest, what takes the longest to make, and the order that things should be done. It’s a great and fun way to flex the muscle that, on most of us, is underdeveloped.
Just another caveat: most of these games have microtransactions, which, for us, can result in major overspending. So just make sure you either turn off the ability to purchase from your phone, allow yourself a certain number of rounds in a play session, or…I dunno…have someone take away your phone after a bit.
For imposter syndrome: Brag Books/Brag Folders
Now, Imposter Syndrome isn’t just an ADHD thing, so I guess this shouldn’t just be on ADHD tools articles out there, but it’s very popular for us, because we’ve heard our whole lives that we’re messy, that we’re unreliable, and a bunch of other similar things. So y’know…it’s really hard to feel like you know what you’re doing when you’re hearing that in the back of your head all the time.
The thing is, our brains aren’t very well-wired to see what’s directly in front of us, so you have to try to make your wins visible to combat that. Brag books are a great way to do that, and they’re easy to put together.
Basically, you’re going to want to put every small win someplace you can easily access when you’re feeling low. This can be on your computer, in an actual book…wherever. Just make sure that, whenever a win hits you, that you put it in there. Will it “cure” your Imposter Syndrome? No. I’m not even sure that can be cured. But it gives you a great way to combat those thoughts when they come.
For those “ADHD focus” moments: White Noise
Some times back, I stumbled on an article that talked about studies regarding focus. This study suggested that those with that “ADHD focus” (if you know, you know) benefitted highly from listening to more neutral noise, like white, brown, or pink noise.
So I decided to try this out myself. And, while this is completely anecdotal, it worked.
Over four days, I wrote using my favorite music, classical music, silence, and white noise. The first day, I wrote about 600 words. With classical music, I wrote about 1000. The day I tried silence, I realized I still had kids and they fought a lot, so I only got about 800 words done. The day I listened to white noise? I wrote two thousand words.
Future studies are showing promise, so this is definitely worth a try for anyone with ADHD. And if white noise doesn’t work? Try pink, or brown. But give it a shot, and see how it goes. Who knows? This might be one of those ADHD tools that people mention all the time in the future, and you can be all like “I was into white noise before it was cool.”
For anxiety: Singing
So I tried stand-up once. I was terrible and I’d do a lot more differently, but that’s not the point.
The point is that I was so nervous that I couldn’t stop pacing and my stomach was killing me. My anxiety was through the roof. I wound up putting on some of my favorite songs and scream-singing the lyrics at the top of my lungs and — wouldn’t you know it? — my stomach immediately felt better and I felt much stronger for a bit.
The next day, I did a little reading, and found that it wasn’t just in my head — singing can relieve stress and anxiety.
So, a lot of people, including other ADHDers, don’t know that ADHD Anxiety is a thing, but it is. ADHD actually co-exists with a lot of things, including OCD (hello there) and Autism. But the anxiety piece isn’t really highlighted as often as it should be, in my opinion.
Anyway.
Something about the act of singing — really singing and releasing all that pent-up nervousness behind each note — tends to raise certain endorphins, including oxytocin, our happy-chemical that many of us may be lacking.
Remember: this isn’t about sounding great. It’s about singing out all that anxiousness and feeling a little stronger and ready-to-go at the end of it.
And there you have it: a few ADHD tools to add to your toolbox that may help you out in new ways. If you try them, let me know how it goes — I’m rooting for you!
By the way: if you’re ready to start working together and getting you to a place where you’re more confident and satisfied with your days, check out what coaching entails, then apply to work together!
