“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” – William Penn
Does this quote resonate with you? For ADHD moms, time often feels like a mysterious, slippery thing—always getting away from us, yet never quite enough. If time blindness has been sabotaging your schedule, your goals, or even your sanity, you’re not alone.
The time has come to overcome time blindness and take control of your day. Read on to discover practical strategies that work for ADHD moms.
1. Take Stock of How You’ve Been Spending Time
Time blindness doesn’t appear out of nowhere. ADHD brains tend to hyperfocus on some tasks while completely losing track of others. Looking back, can you see patterns in how you’ve been using your time?
Why This Matters:
By reflecting on the past, you can identify where time slips away and take steps to manage those patterns better in the future.
What to Do:
- Spend a day or two tracking your activities. Use a simple timer or app to note what you’re doing every hour.
- Identify common time traps, like scrolling social media or getting lost in hyperfocus.
- Highlight areas where you’re consistently underestimating how long tasks take.
Example: You might realize that folding laundry always takes 30 minutes, not the 10 minutes you’d been assuming.
2. Damage Control: Create a Visual Schedule
Is time blindness wreaking havoc on your responsibilities? Don’t despair—this is not the time to throw in the towel. You can regain control by making time tangible.
Top Tip:
Create a visual schedule using color-coded calendars, timers, or even sticky notes. ADHD brains respond well to visual cues that make time more concrete.
What to Do:
- Use a large wall calendar to plan your week.
- Block out specific times for high-priority tasks and set alarms as reminders.
- Break your day into manageable chunks, like morning, afternoon, and evening, with key tasks for each block.
Example: Schedule 15-minute breaks between tasks to avoid burnout and help reset your focus.
3. Accept Tools and Help
I know you like to do it all on your own, but relying solely on memory or willpower can exacerbate time blindness. Instead, embracing tools and support systems can make a huge difference.
What to Do:
- Use digital tools like Google Calendar or apps like Time Timer to visualize time passing.
- Enlist a friend or family member to check in on deadlines or hold you accountable.
- Accept that setting reminders isn’t cheating—it’s a smart strategy.
For Example:
When I started using my phone’s calendar to block out time for specific tasks, I found it easier to stay on track and avoid losing hours to distractions.
4. Plan for the Future
Once you’ve identified your time traps and put systems in place, it’s time to plan for the future. What does a realistic, ADHD-friendly schedule look like for you?
Remember:
Time blindness is common, and you’re not failing just because it happens to you. The goal isn’t perfection but progress.
What to Do:
- Build buffer time into your schedule for transitions between tasks.
- Prioritize your top 3 tasks each day to ensure the most important things get done.
- Experiment with routines to see what works best for your family.
Example: If mornings are chaotic, create a checklist for yourself and your kids to streamline the process.
5. Act, Don’t React
“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso
Waiting until you’re behind schedule to react to time blindness puts you in a constant state of stress. Proactively managing your time allows you to regain control and stay ahead.
What to Do:
- Start your day by reviewing your schedule and prioritizing tasks.
- Use timers to help you stay focused on one task at a time.
- Download my free Time Management Toolkit for ADHD Moms to access ready-to-use templates and tips for structuring your day.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it: five steps to overcome time blindness as an ADHD mom. Setbacks happen, but with the right strategies, you can take control of your time and make the most of every day. Remember, the goal isn’t to follow a rigid schedule but to create systems that work for your unique brain and family.
Let’s make time work for you—one day at a time!
