My tips today are mostly about sensory issues and lifestyle. Maybe this stuff is obvious to you, but it literally took me learning about sensory issues (embarassingly recently) before realizing that making a few changes in my day makes my life SO MUCH better. I think I was mostly unaware of my sensory struggles before finding other neurodivergent people. Like, I'd be aware that I hated the feeling of certain things, or become overwhelmed and upset but it never really registered.
So, I can only speak from my own experience but: get yourself the thing that will help with your sensory issues. Just do it. It's worth the small splurge. No matter what it is (within reason, don't go bankrupt), no matter how silly it might seem. If it helps you in ANY way to make your day more bearable, do it.
Do you need a satin head cap so that your hair doesn't touch your neck when you sleep? Do it.
Here are some of mine...
1) RUBBER GLOVES
For yearrrrrs I refused to purchase a pair because I was so put off by the retro 1950's housewife connotation that came to mind every time I pictured these. It completely turned me off and all I could think about was the patriarchy and hating dishes. Well wouldn't you know it, one of the main reasons I hated doing dishes was not only because they were boring and tedious and repetitive and mind-numbing, I also hated doing them because I lose my entire mind if a hair gets stuck on my wet fingers, or if bits of food floating in the dish water touch my hand. I also tend to use abnormally hot water all the time and constantly doing this tends to leave my hands dry AF.
Then I decided to get ~*rubber gloves*~
...and I gotta say, they are AWESOME. The reason I never used them in the past was because they just made me think of dishwashing liquid commercials and Betty Draper. Me not using them was a subtle f*ck you to traditional gender roles. Plus, I thought: "I don't need those. I simmer in hell water when I shower" so hot water while doing dishes never really bothered me. But my reasons for not using them weren't that good, and are now outweighed by the benefits I gain. I don't think I will ever go back.
When I began learning about sensory issues and started exploring what that meant for me, I immediately realized I most definitely have some. It was a time of self-discovery, and I wasn't going to let *not wanting to look like a housewife* stop me from using a tool that was going to help me.
(I could go into a tirade about why we devalue housework and start to decontruct that, but it would take too long. Future blog post maybe?)
Point being, the crankiness and dread I felt for having to do this daily chore was a real downer. It's a draining event in my day to day life and now...don't get me wrong.. it's still boring -but- it's not actively icky and overwhelming to me anymore. Neurospicy people will understand.
Anyway, the point is: I hate doing dishes a [little] less now. I don't have to get my hands wet AT ALL, I can make the water as hot as I need to in order to get the gunky stuff off the bakeware. I don't get crumbs stuck to my hands, or slimy pieces of food touching me, or any water running down past my elbows (I am physically cringing even just typing this out...) Overall, the numerous icky feelings of overstimulation / sensory overload that came with doing goddamn dishes everyday is now lessened or eradicated and it's all because of these little babies. GET YOU SUM!
Personally, I have one pair for gross bathroom cleaning/toilet scrubbing. One pair for the kitchen/dishes, and an old pair that isn't good for much other than odd jobs where my hands would otherwise get soiled, like cleaning our patio and repotting plants (dirt under my fingernails???? no thank you).
*NOTE: if you have a latex or rubber allergy please be mindful and do not use!
Okay admittedly, this is more a tip than a trick, and I'm sick of the expression "life hack" so call it what you wish. I'm definitely not reinventing the wheel here but there are things that I've started using over the past few months that have made my sensory issues way less aggravating. Some things are just more soothing, what can I say.
Cloths like these are amazing because they're reusable, machine washable, and overall better for the planet. In the past I would buy Shiseido or Quo cotton pads at the pharmacy and they were pretty great for removing makeup, but I hated all the waste they created. On nights when I have zero energy to wash my face properly I used to just use a mountain of cotton pads and makeup remover. Doesn't fully cleanse, but it was better than nothing. Now, I find using a combination of the round pads to remove makeup and a cloth for washing my face is the best. Especially on sensitive skin.
You can use them with just water, personally I use micellar water, just depends on how much makeup you have on. You can get the towel nice and steamy from rinsing it under hot water and it just takes the entire day off. It feels great on your skin, you end up using less face cleanser overall (saves $$$) and like I said, you can wash and re-use these for years to come. Win-win-win. If you don't have sensory issues or struggles with motivation to wash your face at the end of a long day then keep doing what you're doing, but for me these just made the experience alot better and more enjoyable.
It's better than having to do that annoying thing where you bend over the sink to splash water onto your face which ends up all over the countertop and *shudder* leaks down your arms (UGH. Again, nothing more unbearable than water running into the sleeve of your shirt. Except maybe having a sock falling down in your shoe as you walk and you can't stop to fix it so you continue with the sock slowly rolling down with every step you take - but I digress). That being said, I also recommend these wrist towel bands to stop water from leaking down your arms and getting your sleeves wet!!
3) A DEDICATED TASK-TIMER
This one isn't really for a sensory reason (I mean it can be...if the timer on your phone stresses you out or you hate wearing a watch, etc...you get the idea).
When it comes to getting things done and using a tool, it needs to be accessible and quick enough that there is nothing huge you have to surmount in order to get started. Externalizing objects, tasks, and timers is a great way to do this. Get it out of your head, and onto a surface where it is tangible and real to you.
If you've known about your ADHD for awhile, you surely have your own tricks and ways that work for you. There is no shortage of apps, tools, and products out there that promise better productivity and focus. If you're anything like me, you try to implement them but it's rare that any of them actually stick. I've come to the realization that it's because I do way better when things are externalized and streamlined. I don't need three more apps, I already forget to use the apps I have as it is.
For me, it also needs to be tactile and fun to use. Some may say that the timer on your cell phone would do the trick, but that doesn't work most of the time in my case. Any time I grab my phone I get sidetracked. I end up on Instagram, TikTok, my email, the weather app. you name it. Then I look up 40 minutes later and can't remember why I was grabbing my phone to begin with. Sound familiar?
Maybe you do this too. And if you're trying to get work done, get a project started, finish an assignment, or fold the laundry (anything task-based) grabbing your phone to set a timer doesn't necessarily work.
What you want is THIS:
This digital kitchen timer is awesome. It ticks all the boxes: it's novel and new so it makes me want to use it, it's a physical object that I can touch so it creates a touchpoint for the activity I am about to embark / focus on, it's digital so you see the timer counting down (there are also analog ones that a lot of people love, or this very annoying but cute one called "Clocky" that will force you out of bed in the morning). This one in particular is magnetic so you can stick it on your fridge and gamify your chores (food prep, making dinner, doing the dishes). You set the mins/secs by turning the dial on the outer edge of the circle. There's one easy button to set/re-set it. It beeps when time is up, with no other noises or annoying ticking. There are two volume options as well as two brightness settings.
I love it. I either have it on my desk to signal to my brain that it's time to get shit done or leave it on my fridge for when I need a timer for cooking or speed-tidying. I try to get as much work done as possible before the clock runs out (it creates a feeling of urgency that I really respond to). It's simple, minimalist, I can physically touch it, see it, and move it around. I don't have to grab my phone at all. The best.
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I hope this gave you some ideas for implementing really simple and helpful tricks into your life. I have more, but this is long enough so I'll end it there for today.
What are your ADHD Tips & Tricks? Let me know if you try some of these!
Snacks & Snark,
Relatable Red
*Products mentioned in this post are items I actually buy, love, and use. Clicking the image/link will bring you to the product page where I may earn a small commission for referring you.