r/adhdwomen • u/PolarisFallen2 • 1d ago
General Question/Discussion Give me your (maybe unhinged) hacks to force yourself to do things
I would tag this post for task initiation woes if that was an option. I’ll just be honest, I am struggling BAD to get anything done. And by “done” I really mean I struggle to start them in the first place. It seems like most of us have figured out some weird ways to get around our ADHD symptoms- What helps you to just get things started when you’re stuck sitting down or doom-scrolling or whatever else?
I’ll add some of mine in case they help anyone else! 1. Keep the momentum going from one thing into the next, for example, get home from work and don’t sit down or take shoes off, just keep moving into the house and straight to the dirty dishes. 2. Invite a friend over in advance and give myself a few days or a week to clean before that day. 3. Do something with my phone where I can’t use it, like install updates.
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u/nonholyguacamole 1d ago
One that I used today: Make a phone call (i.e. insurance, bank, etc) where you know you'll be on hold for 30+ min and do the other mind-numbing task on your list that you've been avoiding. Race against the clock to finish the task before the representative comes on the line and gives me something to do 😅
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u/drawntowardmadness 10h ago
I just found out Gemini AI has a feature where it will wait on hold for you. I'm actually looking forward to a situation where I'll have to wait on hold so I can try it out now 😂
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u/upsidedownsnowflake 1d ago
- Have to sit in a waiting room? Great! Take work along! There kinda is body doubling and nothing else to do.
- Second the inviting of guests, best way to clean house in minimal time. Extra points if you invite someone really tidy!
- Ride your motivation when its there! When I clean/tidy I will jump tasks like a squirrel on speed (well, like what I imagine a squirrel on speed would do...). I don't care I'll just do whatever I notice/ feel like doing, at least I do something. I'll get stuck if I try to do things systematically and/or try to make myself completrly finish something first.
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u/omgeez24 8h ago
I definitely second riding the motivation wave but I play a game with myself as the unhinged way. I tell myself I’m only going to do something small and focus on that project. My adhd takes the rest away because now I want to clean this other corner, and then that piece of furniture and before I know it I’ve cleaned the whole room.
But if I only get done with that something small it’s a dopamine boost of accomplishing something.
I read online somewhere about the DopaMenu, different things listed under different categories to help spark the dopamine production that helps motivation. Takes some discipline, which I lacked at first, to try and get a system soon. It’s also important you choose activities specific for YOU, not just what the menu lists since everyone works differently.
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u/juliuspepperwood0608 23h ago edited 23h ago
When I was drinking, I’d drink a little and that would give me the boost to become motivated to get things done: working out, cleaning, school papers, etc. But I eventually became a hardcore alcoholic. Alcohol initially has a stimulant-like effect, then plummets to the depressant effect later on and when larger quantities are consumed. I’m waiting on neuropsych results right now so not medicated.
Edit: This was definitely an unhinged hack
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u/Snappy-Biscuit 23h ago
Oh, same! I was self-medicating before I was diagnosed and it really does help. But I just constantly fought myself about it. I knew it wasn't healthy, but I had creative energy and made cool things! So maybe it's ok... But I know it's not! Kinda takes the fun out of it. 😬
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u/juliuspepperwood0608 23h ago
Yes it definitely helped me through school when I was not even considering that ADHD could be a possibility for me. I DO NOT recommend it but I think it helped me accomplish some major things when I had no other tools.
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u/Snappy-Biscuit 22h ago
nods I would never suggest anyone else take that approach, but it's like it gave me a ladder to get over the wall of self-doubt. It lowered my inhibitions just enough to let me create without overthinking every single thing. But then it tosses you back over the wall with no net!
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u/BadWolf7426 Late diagnosis at 49, ADHD, anxiety 1d ago
If there's a task I've been putting off, I'll post about it here. Having a few folks cheering you on can be very motivating.
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u/WesternFisherman3071 23h ago
For me, the hardest part is getting up and moving, so I flop around like a fish for 30 seconds to get my body moving.
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u/nonholyguacamole 18h ago
Oohh I like this 😂 I think I'll try this to get out the "hmph, I don't wanna!" 😤 energy
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u/FionaGoodeEnough 1d ago
Setting a timer for cleaning: not just me but the entire house is tidying for the next 20 minutes! (It usually becomes like an hour on its own).
Pretending I am going to post to socials: Take a picture of a room and then clean up all the stuff that I have been ignoring in person, because it is extremely obvious in the photo.
Pretend I am moving. I don’t want to take this along on the move!
Going out of order: Sometimes if I have to review a lot of info, starting from the end helps.
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u/naledi2481 23h ago
Ohh posting to pretending posting socials work so well for me! I often find the pretend you’re moving is a very helpful way to be realistic with myself that the item is worth keeping.
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u/EarlyInside45 1d ago
If it's a physical task where I don't have to think, I put on a podcast and get to it. It's very therapeutic to me. I can't sit and listen, because I'll start doom scrolling, so it forces me to keep working.
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u/flash_dance_asspants 23h ago
yelling. mostly thinking about when i'm laying in bed scrolling and i know i need to get up but i just don't, i'll yell "GET UP IT'S FINE YOU CAN DO IT" and then i get up because it's fine and i can do it. dog doesn't love it but it works for me (most of the time)
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u/softglossy ADHD 21h ago edited 5h ago
There are sooo many lol, but lately my goals have been to lose 10 lbs and do 10k steps a day. I work from home, so I've been putting 1lb pilates weights on my arms or ankles (depends on the day) and then do a bunch of chores to get my steps in + a mini workout. This checks off a bunch of boxes for me because I'm:
- multitasking
- cleaning/being productive
- moving + getting more toned
- checking things off my to-do list aka dopamine hits
I normally have to compensate with a walking pad as well during work time, but this has been great for keeping the house clean and keeping up my streak!
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u/Lesfleur78 7h ago
I love this! 2.5lb on each arm/leg? X
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u/softglossy ADHD 6h ago
Thanks! I just went to double check, the set was actually 2lbs, so 1 lb per arm/leg and then I alternate :) They come in lots of different weights though!
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u/No-Mathematician250 17h ago
One thing that can work for me is to give myself a reward (dopamine hit) before I want to start the task. That then allows me to get started.
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u/trumpeting_in_corrid 13h ago
Sorry if maybe I should have scrolled by, since this doesn't exactly answered your question, but I am finding this so helpful that I want to share.
I don't force myself to do anything, I coax myself to do things I don't really want to do but which it is to my benefit to do. I speak to myself like I'm addressing a child and say, 'I know you don't want to do this, but you are going to be really happy you've done it when you have.' And when I have done the task, I will say 'I am very very proud of you.'
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u/14pct_of_moonlight 11h ago
I did that when my depression was really bad, but it used to work really well for momentum... I lay my toothbrush next to my bed, so the first thing in the morning is brushing my teeth still on bed. And then i'd had to get up to rinse. Helped with two things: getting up and brushing teeth...
So the advice i can give: combine things, make it a challenge, body double and do it in a unice way, that works for u!
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u/naledi2481 22h ago
I found I was waaay more productive and able to get my momentum up more quickly if I have an achievable, flexible, fun challenge to start my day. If it was too restrictive or didactic I’d drop it within a day or two. The actual challenge that works for me is to set the goal for my morning walk (on days off work) to take the dog in at least a slightly different route or do something different to keep it interesting. On low spoons days, I’ll find a spot to do a quick training session. I have found on a good day though I’ll end up being out of the house for over an hour and often finding new interesting spots as I would run out of places to take her.
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u/cateml 11h ago
I’ve been thinking recently about how my ADHD symptoms have changed as I’ve got older.
I used to be all about the procrastination/task avoidance, along with the poor organization/difficulty focusing/etc, but now I seem to be OK with the procrastination bit while still struggling with the others.
But then I realised, it’s because now I have both two kids and a demanding job, the number 1 on your list (not stopping until it’s done) became my constant life state.
That feeling where you’re sat doing nothing and trying to force yourself to get up and do tasks - you can only really get that if you are ever sat doing nothing, rather than constantly frantically doing tasks all day/evening.
Like, it’s terrible for me, because it only works due to my having no relaxation and always being a hair’s breadth from total burnout.
But it fixed procrastination, so…. Swings and roundabouts. 😂
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