If you have ADHD, you already know how fast ideas can pop into your head and how just as quickly they can disappear. That’s why note-taking isn’t optional, it’s essential. The trick is: you need to capture ideas as soon as they come.
But here’s the catch. Too often, we overcomplicate note-taking. We buy fancy journals, sign up for elaborate productivity tools, or color-code everything until it looks like an art project. It feels satisfying in the moment, but let’s be honest – it usually doesn’t last.
Especially for women with ADHD, the pressure to “do notes the right way” can backfire. Instead of helping us, it adds another layer of overwhelm. We spend more time trying to organize the system than actually using it.
So what’s the solution? Keep it simple.
The Notes App Hack
Forget the journals, forget the twenty apps you’ve downloaded and abandoned. Just open the Notes app on your phone. Create one master list where you jot down everything – ideas, reminders, to-dos. Then each day, pick a few things from that list, focus on them, and check them off.
That’s it. Nothing fancy. No complicated workflows. Just a brain dump in one place that’s always with you.
Why It Works
- Low effort: Your phone is always handy, so no excuses for forgetting.
- Flexible: One list, many uses—work tasks, shopping, random midnight ideas.
- Clarity: Instead of juggling ten different tools, you know exactly where to look.
Conclusion
An ADHD brain doesn’t need a perfect system. It needs a simple, reliable one. Your Notes app is more than enough to help you capture ideas and turn them into action.
Stop overcomplicating. Start simplifying. Your future self will thank you.
