Strange ADHD Life Hacks That REALLY Work!

Let’s be honest — most productivity hacks just don’t cut it when you have ADHD.

Planners? Abandoned.   Fancy apps? Forgot the password. Color-coded systems? Too much work.

If you’ve ever felt like your brain just doesn’t fit the “normal” mold, same.

That’s why I’m sharing 15 super weird (but totally real) ADHD tips that have actually helped me function better — without spending a dime. These aren’t picture-perfect Pinterest hacks. They’re the kind of practical, messy, real-life strategies that help when your executive function has left the building.

1. Email Yourself (Yes, Really)

Forget fancy to-do list apps — the simplest ADHD tip that changed everything? Emailing myself. I send quick notes or reminders to my inbox every time I think of something important. Grocery items. Blog ideas. Appointments. Random “don’t forget” thoughts.

✅ Bonus hack: Always use the same subject line (like “IMPORTANT” or “DON’T FORGET”) so you can search your inbox later and find every brain dump instantly.

2. Go to “Zombie Land”

When your brain just won’t brain anymore, it’s time to enter zombie mode. Put on an audiobook (fiction works best!) and let your body go on autopilot while your mind checks out.

🧠 Best for: cleaning, laundry, or any boring, repetitive task. It’s a sneaky way to reset your executive function without completely shutting down.

3. Combat Driving Anxiety

Loud music = focused brain. Driving with ADHD can be stressful, but blasting upbeat, heavy-beat music (think club or dance tracks) helps you stay alert and in the zone.

🎶 It sounds counterintuitive, but loud stimulation gives your ADHD brain something to “chew on,” which improves focus and reduces distractions.

4. Alarm Ecosystem

One alarm is never enough. Set multiple alarms with reminders for everything — not just appointments, but also drinking water, standing up, switching tasks, and even bedtime.

⏰ Pro tip: Use Alexa, your phone, your smartwatch — whatever it takes. Let technology do the remembering for you.

5. How to Remember People’s Names

ADHD brains are terrible at remembering names. One quirky trick? Create a story or rhyme about someone’s name — the weirder, the better.

Example: Alice looked like she boiled bunnies (a la Fatal Attraction) so now I’ll never forget her name. It’s silly, but it works.

6. Bed Rot

Sometimes you need to bed rot — spend the day horizontal, doing absolutely nothing. That’s okay. ADHD burnout is real.

💡 But set a bed rot breaker rule: after one day, get up and do something. Shower. Stretch. Walk for 10 minutes. Don’t let one day become five.

7. Use an “Anchor”

Do you wander off in the middle of cooking or folding laundry? Same. That’s why I use a show or video to anchor me in place.

🖥️ Podcasts are too easy to walk away with — instead use a visual anchor like watching Netflix or your fave YouTuber to hold your attention where your body needs to be.

8. The “Allergy Method”

Impulsive habits are hard to break. One strange-but-effective ADHD trick?  Pretend you’re allergic to the thing you want to avoid — whether it’s alcohol, sugar, or ice cream.

🍦 It gives your brain a hard boundary — no overthinking, no gray area. You just can’t have it. Period. (And hey, it might not be totally untrue.)

9. Fidget With Purpose

Forget spinners and stress balls. Doing something small with your hands helps your brain stay present.   Doodling and paperclip chains are my go-to fidget tools during meetings and Zoom calls and I even know some people who crochet or knit to help keep them focused.

10. Make Vitamins Tasty

Hate taking your supplements? ADHD brains don’t do “boring.” Swap your pills for chewable or gummy vitamins that taste like candy.

🍓 The best ADHD tip is the one you’ll actually stick with — and if it tastes good, you’ll remember to take it.

11. Pep Talk

When you can’t make yourself get up and do the thing, try a tough love pep talk. There’s an app called PepTalk (you can even search them out on YouTube) that compiles motivational speeches into short bursts of get-it-done energy. 💪

🎧 I just hit play and let the words push me into action.  

12. The Four Tendencies Hack

Read The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin to find out what motivates you. I’m an Obliger, which means I’ll only do something if someone else is counting on me.  So my ADHD tip is to tie my task to someone else.  That means I make appointments, schedule pick ups or tell a friend.  In this way the external accountability = follow-through.

13. Costumes

Want to clean but can’t start? Put on gloves and an apron. Want to work out? Put on sneakers and activewear. Want to focus? Throw on a blazer.

👗 Dressing the part tricks your brain into becoming the role. It’s weird, but wildly effective.

14. Visual Goal Reminders (ADHD-Friendly Vision Boards)

Big abstract goals don’t work for ADHD. You need visual cues in your line of sight. That’s why ADHD-friendly vision boards are so powerful.

📱 Pro tip: Create a digital vision board for your phone or desktop background. Fill it with real, tangible goals like “plant a garden” or “take a weekend trip.” You’ll be subconsciously reminded every time you look at your screen.

👉 Create your own Free vision board template here 

15. Find Your “Brake Person”

If you’re the gas, you need a brake — someone you trust to tell you when your idea is maybe a bit too much. Whether it’s selling everything and moving to Bali or starting your sixth side hustle, a brake person gives you a dose of reality when you need it most.

👯 This isn’t about control — it’s about support and perspective. Who’s your brake?

Your Brain is Brilliant

There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to ADHD tips. The best strategies are the ones that feel doable and work for you. Try one. Try five. Ignore the rest. Your brain is amazing — even if it’s wired a little differently.

For more ADHD Friendly Tips & Hacks- I’ve created a whole video playlist to help right here!  

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