ADHD TIPS that actually work for ARTISTS

For artists, a lot of productivity advice doesn't work, especially when it comes to ADHD.
I know that creative tasks can often take 10000x more time than you think, and it can be even more daunting with ADHD when you already struggle with executive functioning and procrastination. Here's a work routine that I've figured out over the last few years when it comes to art...hopefully it helps you too.
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[@jjfan8540]

immediately considered procrastinating on watching this video

[@siamystery]

Haha we’ve all been there

[@Evandaman1]

😂😂😂😂

[@Sehrena]

Something I do (that I didn't realize until somebody put words to it) is what I call "time and place." As people with adhd, we don't feel time, right? For me, time isn't time, time is a place. And our environment and routines can tell us what "time" we are in. Have you ever been working hard, you're really feeling the groove listening to a playlist, podcast, stream, etc? But when that playlist ends, you can't focus anymore, and picking another playlist just doesn't get you in the same productive groove. That's because your brain connected that playlist with "the working place", and when it ends, you're no longer in that place. It sounds mumbo jumbo I'm sure, but if this sounds familiar to you, try this. When it's time for me to work/play/whatever, I change something about my environment that is always in my view. For example, I sit at my work desk, and I put down a blue sticky note just out of my working zone. It's not in the way, but I can always see it, and I start working on my task. When it's time to switch tasks, I put down a different color sticky note, then transition to the next task. Think of it like commuting to work - that's a transition period - and once you get to your job it's now "time to work." Except this is much simpler than a full blown commute. I still have the typical adhd hangups with task switching, like sometimes it feels impossible to switch that sticky note. 😂 But I find it's much less distracting than getting up, searching for a new podcast/playlist, then getting completely distracted and my day vanishes. You can also have fun with it! If you have little trinkets or figurines you like, put them in your workspace and switch those out with different items rather than sticky notes. This has helped me as a wfa artist, and I hope it can help someone else out there too. Forgive me for rambling on, the meds kicked in. 💀

[@siamystery]

Nooo no this is actually a great idea, thank you so much for sharing! I think I do something similar just subconsciously, but I didn’t realize I could do that intentionally. I have certain podcasts I listen to when I’m at work vs when I’m trying to relax or at home. Much to think about 🤔

[@JimmieHammel]

I've tried body doubling soooo many times, not only can I not focus when I'm in the room with someone else, I ruin THEIR focus too. 😅 Coffee shops just turn the inside of my brain to pure chaos. Trying to focus while I'm in any public place feels like screaming static in my brain. I'm better off using an accountability partner. Telling someone what work I'm planning to do, then going to do that work, then reporting back what work I got done.

[@siamystery]

For sure, ADHD symptoms can be so different from person to person. Glad you found something that works for you!

[@NinaKatharinaWeber]

Maybe Focusmate could work for you, because they are not actually in the same room as you. I‘ve met a lot of neurodivergent people on there; there are e.g. autistics who prefer to connect without sound and just type the greeting. It‘s indicated by icons in the profile.

[@Blackflyer1]

I body double with someone on the phone. Or no talking if in person

[@miezepups15]

This is a perfect example of how diverse neurodiversity actually is. I'm autistic and the ADHD accessibility feature of the pretty loud music makes it very hard for me to focus on your voice, plus your speech tempo is at the upper limit of what I can follow. So what some neurodivergents need to acdess this is the exact thing that makes this impossible for me to access :)))))) (It's okay, this video isn't for me, anyways, I just find it funny. I just wish, creators who explicitly address Autistics would stop using background music or upload a version without it -.-)

[@siamystery]

Thank you for the feedback! will keep in mind for next time

[@barbaralawrence6226]

As soon as I heard the loud high pitched beep I stopped the video. Then I saw words on the screen so tried again. The music made it impossible for me to focus on the words I stopped the video and read a few comments, then saw yours. I completely agree, for me personally.

[@thecaptainsnark]

love the timing. "why do I feel moody..oh right my meds I need to take those." 30 seconds later "..take ur meds."

[@siamystery]

I can totally relate haha

[@wornouthoodie]

"Focus is a muscle" writing this down so I don't forget- awesome advice!

[@siamystery]

Thanks for watching!

[@DreamscapingDesign]

Love seeing videos from smaller creators pop up

[@siamystery]

Thank you!

[@Amelia_PC]

I'm a hyper-focused artist, especially when I'm writing and creating thumbnails/layouts for pages for my creator-owned stuff (I'm a comic book artist). But when I'm working for some clients... Man, I have super ADHD and it takes me 5 times longer to finish anything. I stop every 5 minutes to do something else, losing concentration with the slightest distraction. But when I work on my own projects, I can sit and not move for hours, totally focused on my tasks. I never stay in the zone when working for others (I try my best, even winning awards), but I just don't enter the Flow State. NEVER! But my own projects? Man, I'm a Zen master with total focus and immersion in the Flow State, being as creative as possible. Sometimes, I think ADHD is just our spirit and mind screaming at things we don't like to do and are forced to do.

[@siamystery]

I can completely relate to this. Thanks for sharing!

[@QuirkyGeek17]

As a diagnosed but untreated ADHD creative, I'm really glad KZbin recommended this to me today :) thank you!

[@siamystery]

Thank you for watching! Hope it helps

[@ArtByJUSTSAM]

I LOVE that this was recommended to me. If nothing else, this makes me feel seen and not to be so hard on myself. Thank you.

[@iamamandamyrick]

Thank you!!! I don't have a creative job, but I do a lot of creative projects on the side. Also, hearing how you've improved really gives me some hope that I can improve too!

[@siamystery]

Thanks for watching!

[@Moonstreamfeline]

thank you for this

[@siamystery]

Noted! Thank you for pointing that out

[@paulaa1427]

I’ve never heard of Focus Mate before! Body doubling helps me a lot but I usually get distracted when I try to do it with my friends so this sounds really helpful. Also for folks that find the music distracting, I put the volume down and watched the video with captions and it wasn’t too bad.

[@siamystery]

Thank you for watching!

[@brandydinsmore8214]

Keeping up with supplies and keeping them organized in some easy way to use then is my biggest frustration.

[@siamystery]

I don’t work with traditional art supplies but when I used to I had the same problem haha

[@TheDog2137]

so happy that I saw you in recommendations ❤ thanks

[@joaocardoletto]

My focus progressively decreases when moving from thumbnails week to rough week and then cleanup week. Creative decisions are my fuel, so I absolutely love thumbnails, Im ok with roughs but I hate cleanup. Cleanup week feels absolutely boring. It feels like switching to a completely different job, one that I don’t like and feel tempted to procrastinate.

[@raigicide]

Thanks for this! So may of our habits overlap! I'm undiagnosed but the brown noise thing 100% helps and I do the same thing when I have mundane stuff. Put on something with dialogue (but low impact) and just let it run in the back vs when I really have to laser focus and it's just noise or a lo-fi beat. Great video as always! Especially the giving ourselves some grace part ^^

[@siamystery]

Thanks for sharing!! Glad it was helpful

[@vyse4907]

Actually useful and actionable advice. I have been doing some of it already but there are new aspects and tips I will try out. Thanks a ton :)

[@siamystery]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zadayaz]

very useful vid, definitely going to have to check out that focusmate site and the noise canceling headphones. I also find having like, weekly meetups with other creative friends to talk about what we've done since we've last met up and what progress weve made on projects helps me, it gives me a "i need to have this done by x day" deadline that i can work towards, since i have a hard time with long term goals or holding myself accountable. the pomdoro timer helps me personally, but only if i don't stick to it religiously, it helps when i find myself zoning out/getting distracted mid tasks to be like "ok i only have like 15 minutes left before i can take a break, i can make those count" when its gotten me into the flow i need i tend to work longer, but give myself leeway on the break times to get out my restless energy/briefly do whatever random thing i thought of while working. i use it more as a guideline to keep myself on track rather than a strict thing. also morning exercise, hate it but it does help burn off my restless energy so i dont get the "i need to pace" impulse in the middle of working. this comment got kinda long oops 😅

[@siamystery]

Ohhh I never thought of using a timer as a suggestion instead of a strict thing, that’s a good point! Thank you so much for your insight, I hope focusmate is helpful for you

[@dumpling1987]

I really liked all your advice and tips. I think it works for everyone to have good routines that would help make the day feel less stressful. Thanks for sharing!

[@siamystery]

Thank you for watching :)

[@legeekessayiste7015]

Love this video, thank you for the tips !

[@siamystery]

You're so welcome!

[@cryoflower]

omg hi sia!! this randomly popped up on my recommended videos, how cool to see you're being picked up by the algorithm!! :D This is also a really useful video and I'll definitely try to keep these in mind as a fellow ADHD-er haha

[@siamystery]

Ahhh omg thank you Lucy!! glad it helps! I’ve had quite a few friends and coworkers message me, I guess the algorithm is definitely doing it’s thing lol

[@kantui525]

I don't consider myself to have ADHD but I thought it might have some helpful tips regardless....I had to watch this twice because I forgot to listen the first time.

[@mickicarson8701]

I appreciate the tips at the top of the video ❤

[@siamystery]

Glad it was helpful!

[@collinwang3259]

super helpful - gonna try these tips asap

[@siamystery]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Jules_Dufresne]

Thank you for this ❤❤

[@siamystery]

Thank you for watching!

[@LaNoir.]

"speed up this video" _comes from another video with sped up setting_ ...I think I'm right here.

[@siamystery]

I do the same thing and then I’m like wait why are they talking fast LOL

[@OujoYunieSS]

This was super useful, thank you! One thing on the video if you accept criticism - the music's volume is about the same as your voice so it's difficult to focus on what you are saying. I think the music is actually unnecessary, it might be just me but I found it to be distracting.

[@siamystery]

Ah yeah I definitely messed up with the music haha a lot of people have mentioned it 😅 thank you for watching!

[@kedelstein7312]

I found this very helpful.

[@siamystery]

Happy to help!

[@MunishCGI]

Thank You!

[@siamystery]

You're welcome!

[@angela_somanythings5670]

Thank you 😊

[@siamystery]

You're welcome 😊

[@katherineelliott1004]

Your video is great but the background music compete with your voice , al least for me is harder to focus , but I did finish the video :) , thank you for sharing .

[@siamystery]

Yeah I’ve had a lot of people comment on that, thank you for letting me know! Will def look out for that in future videos. Hope it helped and thanks for watching!

[@NinaKatharinaWeber]

I followed your rec to speed up the video to keep me engaged. But (at least for me) it didn‘t work with the constant background music. It speeds up, almost comically so, and overlays your voice. Apart from that: enjoyed your video.

[@siamystery]

Thank you for letting me know! Will definitely keep that in mind for next time

[@gabbysanders409]

Bold of you to assume i watch youtube on anything other than 1.5x speed 😂

[@YapCorner]

im taking a stimulant xenidate xl methylphenidate but I am looking into fast-release as it gives me insane sleep issues 😂

[@YapCorner]

we are the artists of the world us adhd girls ❤

[@YapCorner]

you reminded me to take my meds 😂whoops

[@YapCorner]

doing my uni final project i am struggling so much please help me 😢

[@siamystery]

I’m sorry to hear that! Hopefully the tips in the video help? Or you can DM me on ig if you still need help afterwards! @siamystery

[@KateTries]

You got this!! I believe in you!!!

[@ssspongebob6803]

What if your not medicated or diagnosed but have the symptoms

[@siamystery]

I think the pointers from my video can be implemented by anyone, regardless of ADHD. I’m not medicated either. Hope that helps :)

[@nixantcreatives]

switches from 1.75x to 1.5x cause video said so

[@user-ki1yc4vx2s]

Great content. The music is annoying 😢

[@NinaKatharinaWeber]

The 40 herz music: Huberman has a whole episode about music and focus. He links the studies on his website. So thankfully better than a placebo.

[@crazyanimalmama]

I'm 45 seconds in and I don't think I'll even finish your video. The background music is extremely distracting and that annoying beep at the beginning already aggravated me. It might be helpful to consider that many of us with ADHD also have auditory processing disorder and sensory processing disorder. Loud unexpected noises make me angry and additional background noise makes it difficult to hear what you're saying.

[@siamystery]

Thank you for letting me know, will definitely pay more attention to that for future videos now

[@ihazskinpv]

i got distracted and missed like 3min of the video

[@siamystery]

Happens to all of us haha

[@calihhan4706]

Immediatly drawn off by this generalizations. There's not one adhd, there's not one type of artists. Just another video for self diagnosted tiktok adhd people 😢

[@siamystery]

I’m not self diagnosed lol I understand if the video is not relatable for you, but you don’t need to invalidate everyone else’s diagnoses