Navigating Time Management with ADHD as an Artist
Time management is something I constantly wrestle with, especially as an artist who depends on natural light to create. Daylight savings can be a nightmare! Deciding what to prioritize each day feels overwhelming because I have so many ideas buzzing in my mind. This is very common among people with ADHD; we’re full of creative energy but struggle to fit everything into a single day. Adding to that, there are daily obligations and tasks that need to be tackled.
Right now, I’m deeply immersed in building my art business from the ground up. This includes not only creating and finishing my pieces but also reaching out to venues and vendors to showcase my work. However, executive functioning challenges make organizing my schedule difficult. I often hyperfocus on a task, getting a much-needed dopamine boost, but before I know it, hours have disappeared. The whole day can slip by, leaving me wondering where the time went and what I actually accomplished.
Recently, after sharing these frustrations with my psychologist, she suggested creating a daily plan to add structure. This idea has been game-changing. Every morning, after breakfast, I grab my trusty whiteboard—something I highly recommend to anyone with ADHD. It’s fun to write on, and I use colorful pens to make it engaging. The best part? It’s within reach, so I can update it easily and use it as a visual reminder throughout the day.
My daily plan includes everything from basic tasks like tidying up and watering my gardens (I have both a patio and a community garden) to bigger commitments like painting and a 30-minute walk. Listing everything, even small tasks, helps me feel accomplished as I check them off one by one. This small act of crossing out completed items is incredibly satisfying and keeps me on track.
But let me be honest—time still stresses me out. Sometimes, even taking a shower feels like it cuts into precious time, and I have to remind myself that self-care isn’t wasting time. The days of the week can blur together, and before I know it, it's already Thursday, and I’m racing to finish tasks. Painting is my passion, and I’m fortunate that working seven days a week doesn’t feel like a burden, but I still need breaks and time for non-art-related activities. The pressure of knowing that my art isn’t generating much income yet adds another layer of stress.
As I plan for the future, I think about finding a part-time job to support myself while I build my art business. This thought comes with a new wave of worries: how will I balance both? I know that time will become even more precious, and it’s easy to feel anxious about having enough of it.
I’d love to hear from others with ADHD—do you experience the same kind of time management stress? How do you deal with hyperfocus and that sinking feeling when you suddenly realize hours have passed? For me, using whiteboards and daily planning has made a huge difference. It’s not perfect, but it’s helping me feel like I’m accomplishing something, even on days when I feel scattered. I look forward to hearing others experience with the struggle of never enough time! Thanks!
