Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
23
2 months ago

9 ADHD lifehacks I LOVE the most after 3 years of working on the ADHD

I went through 3000 Reddit ADHD comments, 200 ADHD videos, and scientific articles and just collected lifehacks from ADHD friends. Hi, it's Julia, founder and CEO of Numo. And here in the comments, I will share my top 9 ADHD pro-tips. Join me in sharing your favorite hacks! I will select the best tips from the community weekly and add them to the app, crediting you. So, what is your favorite life hack? rule: 1 comment = 1 hack

9 ADHD lifehacks I LOVE the most after 3 years of working on the ADHD
xXKenSparkleXx avatar
xXKenSparkleXx
1d

Let's go!!! My hack is to don't look at the mess or you will get paralysis but isn't helping lol 😂

chaoticmomster avatar
chaoticmomster
1w

I have noticed I have what I call “activating activities” to get myself to do the household/cleaning. Those things help me start and get me in the right headspace to keep going/cleaning/organizing. For me vacuuming is certainly one of them, and if I do dishes in the morning, that’s also an activating thing for me.

chaoticmomster avatar
chaoticmomster
1w

I used to be late all the time until I realized it mostly is because I keep the hour that I have to arrive somewhere in my head and then it feels like I have soooo much time left so I always left too late. Now I watch how late I need to be somewhere, check transportation duration and add 15/20minutes for unforeseen circumstances. I then take that hour and repeat that hour in my head instead of arrival time and that way I arrive mostly on time. Also, set timers and alarms on your phone to leave and get ready on time because we get distracted a lot 😛

matcha-ghost avatar
matcha-ghost
1w

MEEEEEE

Liz <3 avatar
Liz <3
1w

Make timers an unnegotiable rule. You could have soap in your eyes, hair half washed, makeup half done, if the timers up, then the timer is up <3

fenta  avatar
fenta
1w

Hola

MPnursePsych avatar
MPnursePsych
1w

I have a “I do it right now, or it doesn’t get done”! Don’t ever say I will in a while!!!

wolverinegeek59 avatar
wolverinegeek59
1w

Id like to use it in french

felitda avatar
felitda
1w

Cold showers are definitely my favorite ADHD lifehack

imommy31 avatar
imommy31
2w

Cleaning: make things easy, easy, easy. 1. Put a trash can in the area you spend the most time in so that you don’t have to go as far to keep that area clean. 2. Put a cute “clutter bucket” (a cute tray or bowl) in every room to gather odds and ends to keep things looking nice. Once a week go through and sort what’s in the containers. 3. Don’t wait to vacuum till the room is clean. Vacuuming as you go gives your brain the reward it needs to keep going.

imommy31 avatar
imommy31
2w

Right?? Some of these were a game- changer for me

jfresh84 avatar
jfresh84
2w

I love this 😍😍😍

imommy31 avatar
imommy31
2w

Finding shoes for children and getting out the door: keep an every day pair of shoes with socks inside, in the vehicle near the child’s seat, in case they can’t be found in the house. Tell the child to take off the shoes and leave them so they can find them next time. Making things easy/ automatic is the name of the game!

imommy31 avatar
imommy31
2w

Laundry: i have 9 in my family. We wash and dry then sort by person. Everything. Socks as well, in each person’s basket. We only buy black or white socks (all same cut), so machining socks is not necessary. There is usually a match in their drawer when they look. I help my littles put their things away (all but fancy dresses etc are put in their dresser drawers, and they don’t have to fold if they don’t want to. They always want to learn though.) My teens are responsible for their laundry on a certain day. After it’s sorted, my husband and I put our things away. I usually do not fold mine because I have to maximize my time

imommy31 avatar
imommy31
2w

For time blindness: if you are very very time-blind (like me), add 20- 30 minutes to your commute time that you originally approximate. Especially if you have kids to get ready. It’s better to be way too early and have to wait in the car, than to be late. If the problem is that you get distracted before you need to leave and miss that time, set a visual timer or an alarm in your phone so that you know when to leave. As you get better at it, you can scale back on time cushion that you add. But always have a cushion of some kind. Especially if it’s somewhere new. You never know what traffic will be like.

shecrawls avatar
shecrawls
2w

I struggle with folding and putting away the laundry for the family. I started by washing at least one load daily and keep the clean laundry on my laundry table. Then I bring it in to my bed and sort it by each person. I put all the socks for everyone in one basket. Then I tackle each persons pile by sorting what needs hung, then doing the folding. Last I tackle all the socks while I watch a good show to reward myself for getting the hard part done.

krazygiraffe avatar
krazygiraffe
2w

I struggle with mail and paperwork so I’ve started looking at my mail right away. I throw away junk mail and put anything I need to keep in the appropriate file folder, pin to memo board, etc.

hermesmarana avatar
hermesmarana
3w

How it works

tayandtheirdog avatar
tayandtheirdog
3w

If you are a very unorganized person, use 2 planners ,one digital one paper,I use a bullet journal and Numo. Choose one to do that day, and make your schedule! Make sure if you have a journal that you have 2-4 journaling times in your day!

boeing747 avatar
boeing747
3w

I use a written diary not one on the phone- repetitious writing stores memory

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
3w

😃

shley avatar
shley
3w

I like to set a specific time to do a task like clean my kitchen and put on a podcast. I can’t stop till the podcast is done.

nadabieberrss avatar
nadabieberrss
4w

🥰

shawzymcgonyno avatar
shawzymcgonyno
4w

Bein able to hold to hold back cause you see the bigger picture so u think

shawzymcgonyno avatar
shawzymcgonyno
4w

Music to do boring easy stuff and cold shower every day to connect with your real self

🐼withADHD avatar
🐼withADHD
1mo

I have an AirTag on everything I take with me everyday car key, house key, backpack, wallet… so that when I leave home and i don’t get any notification on my phone I know I didn’t forget anything (it help to reduce the guess work and wasting time checking if I forgot something)

🐼withADHD avatar
🐼withADHD
1w

That’s awesome 😂, never thought of that.

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
3w

I have AirTag for my 🐕

bastianson avatar
bastianson
1mo

Especially at work (open office) it is listening to white noise. That creates a bubble around me and limits inputs!

happyshrimp avatar
happyshrimp
1mo

Visualize yourself doing the things: if you want to go to bed early, play the movie in your mind of you going home, having dinner then getting in bed and reading. Visualize it over and over again, always works.

Banabanana  avatar
Banabanana
1mo

Where is all the other comments? I can't see them

Fran&cesca avatar
Fran&cesca
1mo

I put music on my phone and I don't turn it off when I'm leaving the house.While I'm closing the door,I always think "Did I take the phone?",then I hear the music and I know that it's in my bag and I don't need to check.

oskaradhd2024 avatar
oskaradhd2024
1mo

My ADHD hack is to use papers from my work (Restaurant) that has those pre-printed Lines, so that my text isn't giant. On that paper are written ideas, thoughts and Tasks to do tomorrow. That way, I have not forgotten 90% of my plans for the day! It's awesome 🤩

boeing747 avatar
boeing747
1mo

I use a whiteboard Have it in a prominent position in the house Put 5 things I need to achieve in that day Then use white board markers to tick off items I’m accomplished

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
2w

When I’m struggling the most to get back on track, I have a wall of sticky notes in different colours. Tasks for daily, this week, and someday. So satisfying to move to the finished side.

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
3w

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
3w

😅

Wishla avatar
Wishla
1mo

30 min tidy with music💃

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
2w

Yes. I’ve been loving the pomodoro method for getting things done.

ProCrashtinator avatar
ProCrashtinator
1mo

Listening to music or a podcast while doing chores

tayandtheirdog avatar
tayandtheirdog
1mo

If you ever need something that is “far away” from you, come up with 2 different things to help you reach it in each category below: 1. Come up with 2 simple ways of achieving 2. Come up with a time line 3. Estimate when you need a break After that, you should have 6 steps, and you break them up into smaller steps, until you have 24 steps to put in your final plan. Choose about half of those 24 steps to put in the last plan. This surprisingly only takes 5-10min of your day! ( note: this only works with one day plans, but I will find a way to do it with 2-3 day goals

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
2w

I love this. Similarly I like to use the brain dump in this app for the big goal and the AI option to create sub tasks.

tayandtheirdog avatar
tayandtheirdog
2w

@iamagoat, of course! You read each question, and then come up with 2 things that fit the question, and fit your “far away” goal. Do that with all 3 questions! Then you will have those as steps. Now you add to those answers to the questions until you have 24 steps. Choose about half of those steps you created, and put them in the order you want! You have a plan for your “far away” goal, but this only works with 1 day goals! Hope I helped!

krazygiraffe avatar
krazygiraffe
2w

Love this! I’m definitely going to try!! Thanks for sharing!!

rainbowtoady avatar
rainbowtoady
1mo

If you want to go to the gym - don’t sit down after work. Go straight there and change there.

martin777 avatar
martin777
2w

I joined a gym I drive past on my commute for that exact reason 💪🏻🍀

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
2w

Agreed. If I don’t go straight from work (keep gear in my car) I won’t go.

alwaysunserious avatar
alwaysunserious
1mo

Hack - Accept yourself as you are in the moment. And then do anything else if you feel like.

Angelina:) avatar
Angelina:)
1mo

See other‘s with inner child problems too, that‘s a way to stop having outbursts of anger if someone is not bahaving nice towards us

dogsaresupreme avatar
dogsaresupreme
1mo

Break tasks up into smaller more achievable steps

gig8i avatar
gig8i
1mo

Very good

-Dash- avatar
-Dash-
1mo

I’m an introvert by nature. Don’t care for the stupidity that occurs because of myself let alone other humans. Nonetheless, my mind always races, and being a parent my plate is always full. I have the most trouble picking the first thing to address and often push of the whole list until it’s do or die time.

malgal24 avatar
malgal24
1mo

Paper plates for low functioning days

Siana avatar
Siana
1mo

Fix with yourself a dead line for the one thing you have to do. Put an alarm with the name of it and how or when you have to. Delete the alarm when done or use it as a preset for a current habit . Ex : "psy the f.5 of november at 7.15pm"

noraeleno! avatar
noraeleno!
1mo

Having an herbal tea before bed helps you set a sleep routine

deigo avatar
deigo
1mo

Slow improvements are the best

Unknown avatar
Unknown
1mo

Hi!

autasticauggie avatar
autasticauggie
1mo

Make your goal Better, not perfect.

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
1mo

Weekly meal prep. Buy a bunch of containers. Pre-Cut veggies/salad and put in containers. Add other lunch parts (cheese and crackers etc) in containers. Easy on the go breakfast prepped for the week in containers (overnight oats, smoothie or protein drink). Make one or two dishes for dinner and put in small microwavable dishes for the week. Stack all in the fridge neatly. One day of prep beats a week of decision fatigue and eating junk as a result. Lastly clean prep dishes and ensure dishwasher is empty at beginning of week so all those little containers go right in there for the next week. Best time spent ever.

krazygiraffe avatar
krazygiraffe
2w

Love it! I’ve been meaning to do this forever!!!

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
1mo

Remember that, as my counsellor says, my 60% is most people’s 100%. Be okay with just enough. The big P perfection leads to its friend Procrastination, which leads to Shutdown due to being overwhelmed. PPS.

krazygiraffe avatar
krazygiraffe
2w

Wow! Thank you so much for posting this! Procrastination due to perfectionism is my biggest problem so I’m going to write this in as many places as I can think of!

MzBee avatar
MzBee
1mo

Wow! Very insightful, thank you. I’m going to sellotape this to my head 😂 (or write it on my book instead 😜)

rollarotten avatar
rollarotten
1mo

Well said!

KatyMc avatar
KatyMc
1mo

Aim for 1% better than you were yesterday. In 100 days you’ll be 100% better!

alwaysunserious avatar
alwaysunserious
1mo

Love this!

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Cleaning hack! Never ever put away or unplug the vacuum cleaner 😂

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
1mo

lol. And have one on each floor. I live in a split level condo. Vacuuming and laundry are my nemesis with 32 steps from basement to top floor.

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
1mo

Camilita you are master of hacking your life! ❤️❤️❤️

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

🥳✨✨✨✨♥️ Thanks 🥲🙏

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Rearrange your fridge! Put condiments in the least visibly accessible part (ex in the bottom veggie drawer) and put everything fresh that needs to be eaten soon more visible. Put healthy “grab a snack” options in the fridge door pockets. Make stations, a box with everything you need to make breakfast/a sandwich etc that you can easily take in and out of the fridge.

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
1mo

I put healthy food the most visible :)

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Be brutally honest and tell someone else that you are procrastinating on something that can be fixed in less than 30min. Now they know your secret and that will put pressure on you to follow through sooner 👀 ….or be embarrassed forever 😅 It can be that phonecall, answering a text, taking a shower, making an appointment or any other “easy” should.

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Make “stations” with everything you need to complete a task in the exact same place. To facilitate “don’t put it down, put it away” - Keep a laundry basket in every room where dirty laundry appear on a regular basis.

LisaaADHD avatar
LisaaADHD
1mo

Never put dishes and cutlery in the sink, simply rinse them and pile them next to the sink - a clean sink is much more inviting and likely you will do the dishes, instead of putting your hand into a dirty sink with sharp knives or yucky stuff to scoop out to drain the sink. #nomoresinkaeversion

alwaysunserious avatar
alwaysunserious
1mo

Wow this could actually work

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
1mo

Yes! That’s why I have to have a clean and empty dishwasher on Sunday. If I had to empty it during the week I would have a sink full of dishes. Organized space makes me feel less overwhelmed after a work day of constant social stimulation, sensory overload, and decision fatigue.

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Omg!! 🤯✨ I LOVE THIS! 👏😍⭐️

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

We have all heard the helpful mantra “don’t put it down, put it away”… But how about “don’t put it down, -THROW- it right away! To facilitate this, place a trash-bin in literally every room 🗑️ 🗑️ 🗑️ 🗑️ 🗑️ 🗑️ 🗑️

iforgotmyname avatar
iforgotmyname
1mo

Then I need someone to come empty them all. Taking out the trash/recycling is my frog. 🤦‍♀️ Eat the frog 🐸

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Make “stations” with everything you need to complete a task in the exact same place. Skip the traditional cleaning cupboard. Keep cleaning products for the bathroom - In the bathroom. Cleaning products for the kitchen - in the kitchen. Super important ! --> Keep a trash bin in every room!

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Make “stations” with everything you need to complete a task in the exact same place. Kids school-backpack station: keep everything close to the front door. School lunch tickets, important papers to be signed, this station also needs a pen. Backpack steadily placed where it can be packed with ease. Schedule of school and after school activities within sight. Gym bag etc within reach to grab last minute.

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Make “stations” with everything you need to complete a task in the exact same place. Gift wrapping paper = add scissors and sticky tape and place this station where you would typically complete the task (for me it’s in my bedroom).

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

Get more of and place often needed items in every room. This prevents you from misplacing the item, or getting lost in process when going to another room to get the item… BONUS effect = this saves you time! My examples: •scissors for urgent need of removing clothing tags ✂️ •pen and paper 📝 •phone-charger 🔌 •trash-bin 🗑️

HooseCoatHero avatar
HooseCoatHero
1mo

And one of my most favourite quotes - 'It's simple: Treat yourself well, while not harming others. Treat others well, while not harming yourself.'

fAmDiHlDy avatar
fAmDiHlDy
1mo

Beautiful quote

HooseCoatHero avatar
HooseCoatHero
1mo

Always remember, you are allowed to say 'No' Don't let others poison your peace.

vini96 avatar
vini96
1mo

Primeiro o dever e depois o prazer

Sharithebee avatar
Sharithebee
2mo

Hello

romee avatar
romee
2mo

I go for long walks

rollarotten avatar
rollarotten
2mo

Setting a timer for 1 hour to complete tasks.

alwaysunserious avatar
alwaysunserious
1mo

I set 15 min timers

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

I am setting to 5-10 min, to decrease anxiety

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

Always works for me Lie to yourself. I’tell myself that I’m just going to unload one dish from the dishwasher. Once I’ve started, I’ll at least unload a few, and maybe clean the whole kitchen.

alwaysunserious avatar
alwaysunserious
1mo

I too lie to myself like this

Camilita avatar
Camilita
1mo

I also love lying to myself! 👏😇 I’m so innocent I fall for it most of the times ⭐️

KatyMc avatar
KatyMc
2mo

Nice 👏👏 I like this

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

My fav It’s ok to run a dishwasher that isn’t full. It’s ok not to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. You can rerun it if they don’t get clean the first time.

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

Use Numo voice braindump assistants. “Remind me to do X tomorrow at Y time”

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

Disable all your notifications on your phone except for essential apps (Texting, Voicemail, Calendar)

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

Put a widget on your productivity app to home screen so it’s the first thing you see

KatyMc avatar
KatyMc
2mo

Changing your perspective of adhd from a ‘problem’ that has to be dealt with, to a real life super power!

KatyMc avatar
KatyMc
2mo

Focusing on all the amazing things we can achieve that mere mortals say ‘how!?’ 😉

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

How? 😅😅😅

chappellinglife avatar
chappellinglife
2mo

iPhone users => use “Speak Screen” function to hear the content of the screen read to U. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > turn on “Speak Screen”. I got many of my college readings done like this during my commutes, showers, etc. I also studied for the LSAT test like this.

karmayomama avatar
karmayomama
1mo

YESS I do this too!

chappellinglife avatar
chappellinglife
2mo

Link to => How to have your iPhone or iPad read text to you https://youtu.be/sV4cM34X7oo

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

I need the link

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

9. People are in such a rush these days… You can’t expect to become a superhuman overnight. Focus on sustainability and self-compassion. It will help you relax, and you will be more productive at the end of the day.

nixnix avatar
nixnix
2mo

Having a routine

adhdani98 avatar
adhdani98
2mo

Just want to say, thank you for this app, it literally helps me so much, not only with tasks but feeling like I’m not alone, I can feel very isolated with people in my life not understanding so for me this app is almost an escape to somewhere safe and judgement free, it is such a good creation ❤️

KatyMc avatar
KatyMc
2mo

💯 percent!! Very well said! 🥰

rollarotten avatar
rollarotten
2mo

I agree. My sons are my biggest supporters because they’re seeing a big change since I’ve been medicated. This app helps me stay on track.

Vital, numo avatar
Vital, numo
2mo

We love you

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

People are in such a rush these days… You can’t expect to become a superhuman overnight. Focus on sustainability and self-compassion. It will help you relax, and you will be more productive at the end of the day.

polololo avatar
polololo
2mo

Love this ❤️

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

Gamify things and set a limited amount of time to accomplish something. e.g.: Brew your coffee and get as many chores done as you can before the coffee is finished brewing.

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

Buy multiple items that you use often. Set up multiple chargers, buy a few lip balms so you can always find them when you need them. It creates comfort.

krazygiraffe avatar
krazygiraffe
2w

YES!!! I do this with lip balm and chargers. It makes my life so much easier!

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

If you start to feel frustrated for no reason, eat something and keep yourself hydrated.

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

Use text-to-speech generators to help you read webpages/books/long emails. Small thing, but it makes a big difference.

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

Put a widget with your to-do list on your home screen so it’s the first thing you see, Numo has such a feature.

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

Use Numo voice braindump assistants. “Remind me to do X tomorrow at Y time”. Your brain is good at creating, not storing info. Let Numo be your second brain.

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

Use a noise-canceling headphones and listen to music/white noise/brown noise. Don’t be afraid to stimulate yourself if you need it. Enables hyperfocus and blocks out distractions.

krazygiraffe avatar
krazygiraffe
2w

Love this and it’s something I do often in order to complete tasks. Otherwise, I get distracted by everything you can possibly think of!

Julia from Numo avatar
Julia from Numo
2mo

Turn it cold for just 30-60 seconds at the end of your morning shower. It will wake you up, get your blood flowing, and get you out of the shower.

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