Toss It!
Drop the "proper" ADHD system
Michael Greenspan · June 11, 2026 Most of what the ADHD brain does happens on autopilot. Once a week, I’ll send you a short reflection — a small nudge to catch yourself in the act, and an action you can consider.
Just because a system works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s earned a place in your brain. Most of the hacks out there were not made for you, no matter how convincingly they were marketed.
Consider this week:
- What tool, app, or technique are you forcing yourself to use that isn’t actually serving you?
- What keeps you clinging to it: guilt, sunk cost, someone else’s success story?
- What is something that you know works for you, but seems too weird, and so you never do it?
Try this: Imagine swapping the useless but “recommended” tool for the scrappiest thing that actually works for you, even if it feels “too simple” or comes with thoughts of “but nobody else does this!”
The reframe: A “proper” system you never use helps no one. The best tool is the one you’ll actually reach for.
These weekly reflections aren’t about doing more or fixing yourself. They’re a moment to slow things down and notice what’s actually going on. Because noticing is usually where the change starts.
— Michael
P.S. These reflections are yours to keep private. But if something surfaces that you’d like to share, just hit reply. I read every one.