Living Well with ADHD: Real-Life Tips That Actually Work 

Living Well with ADHD: Real-Life Tips That Actually Work

Living with ADHD as an adult can be a rollercoaster, one minute you are laser-focused, the next you can't find your car keys, let alone your motivation. But the good news is, you're not alone. Below are some real-life strategies and clever workarounds from folks just like us. These are practical, ADHD-friendly tips that help tackle everything from clutter to impulse control, productivity, and winding down at night.

Taming the Chaos: Tips for Disorganisation

• Use colour - like a bright wallet, so things don’t go missing in the black hole of your bag.

• Invite friends over to give yourself a reason to tidy up (external accountability, anyone?).

• Use a ‘hot spot’ for time-sensitive documents - reducing lost bills or appointment letters.

• Clean in stages - do a little each day rather than trying to Marie Kondo your life in one hit.

• Store items that go together - think scissors, tape, and wrap all in one place.

• Stick lists on high-traffic areas like doors or mirrors out of sight, out of mind doesn't work for us.

Taming the Urge: Impulse Management

• Use delay tactics - wait 24 hours before making purchases. Impulse fades with time.

• ‘Lock your mouth’ with a mental cue to stop impulsive blurting.

• Use mindfulness and set daily intentions like, “Today I’ll pause before reacting.”

• Use your phone to take photos of things you want to buy - most times, that’s enough.

• Remember: noticing your urges is not failure - it’s self-awareness.

Getting Stuff Done (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)

• Digital calendars with reminders are gold - use them often and colour code your categories.

• Use sticky notes, list apps, or even email yourself if that helps you stay on track.

• Keep everything in one notebook or app to avoid losing key info.

• Visuals help - bright paper or bold colours catch our attention and jog our memory.

• Reward completion, not perfection. Celebrate the little wins.

Every ADHD brain is different. What works for one person might not for another and that’s okay. The key is to test, tweak, and most importantly, show yourself compassion in the process. You’re not failing. You’re just working with a brain that thrives with systems that make sense to you.

Be you. Everyone else is taken.

Love, Tracey