Goodness this hit home. I’ve been told I need to create a rigid structure and set timers, but I never seem to actually do it - I’m overwhelmed with the task of creating my own schedule and structure .8 either don’t get anything done and then beat myself up for it or I work for 16 hours straight and get so angry about it and burnt out
Remote work with ADHD is a nightmare if you don’t know how to manage yourself. But with the right systems and routines, it can actually be one of the most ADHD-friendly ways to work.
When I first started working remotely, it was chaos. But after five years of trial and error, I’ve built solid systems that help me stay on track. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely doable. You just can’t give up when it doesn’t click right away.
I work from home and love it! My biggest issue is that I actually get too hyper focused (because it’s hyper focus or no focus) on what I’m working on and forget to eat, move,stretch etc. setting alarms is very helpful!
Honestly, if I didn’t have small children and live 45 min from the office, I’d be in there every day. I love the structure and lack of distractions. What I dislike more than remote work is remote meetings. Not sure what anyone else with ADHD thinks, but even though masking in person is awful, trying to tune into and read body language and force a smile and not multitask on Teams is the absolute worst.
I've long suspected I have ADHD, and I can tell you, I was already using alarms, even in office. With new technology tracking our time, like Microsoft Teams, I literally have alarms for my alarms. It gives me time to get back to my desk, put myself out on break, and then go do what I must do.
Also, the convenience of having my own food in my own kitchen, helps me make better meal and snack choices. I remember when I was working from home 1-2 days per week. I really enjoyed that. Those alarms really come in useful, and help keep me on track. Also, your employer has teacking software, so thry know exactluly what yoire doing on the company laptop.
I have learned that, for myself, working at home is a no go. The very idea of having these systems in place to do my work is abhorrent to me. Also I consider my home as a place to chill and relax, and do not like the idea of. Having work invade my home life is a non-starter. Fortunately for me, I am retired now. And when I still worked, I was a Park Naturalist and spent a good deal of time outside leading hikes, teaching people of all ages about nature, and having much less indoor time, mostly in the winter. I am firmly convinced that a good percentage of Park Naturalists a likely have some level of ADHD and gravitate to the variety and flexibility of teaching and leading walks outside, especially because the job requires the ability to think on your feet, and to change course when needed. I am thrilled that by the time I retired, people had not yet gotten all entitled about being able to work at home. So e of my old coworkers were required to work two days a week at home. Phew! Glad I missed that.
NOW, being retired is another issue entirely. I may need to get volunteering again to give me some loose structure in my life. And try as I might, I really resist the organizational things that are supposed to work to get things done in my day to day life. As soon as I see charts or alarms or lists, all I see is all the charts and lists and timers and all that I have tried in the past and never been able to stick to using. Each year, my list of to dos is generally the same as it has always been every year before. For me, there has got to be a better way, but I do not know what it is.
Goodness this hit home. I’ve been told I need to create a rigid structure and set timers, but I never seem to actually do it - I’m overwhelmed with the task of creating my own schedule and structure .8 either don’t get anything done and then beat myself up for it or I work for 16 hours straight and get so angry about it and burnt out
I
Remote work with ADHD is a nightmare if you don’t know how to manage yourself. But with the right systems and routines, it can actually be one of the most ADHD-friendly ways to work.
When I first started working remotely, it was chaos. But after five years of trial and error, I’ve built solid systems that help me stay on track. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely doable. You just can’t give up when it doesn’t click right away.
I work from home and love it! My biggest issue is that I actually get too hyper focused (because it’s hyper focus or no focus) on what I’m working on and forget to eat, move,stretch etc. setting alarms is very helpful!
Honestly, if I didn’t have small children and live 45 min from the office, I’d be in there every day. I love the structure and lack of distractions. What I dislike more than remote work is remote meetings. Not sure what anyone else with ADHD thinks, but even though masking in person is awful, trying to tune into and read body language and force a smile and not multitask on Teams is the absolute worst.
I've long suspected I have ADHD, and I can tell you, I was already using alarms, even in office. With new technology tracking our time, like Microsoft Teams, I literally have alarms for my alarms. It gives me time to get back to my desk, put myself out on break, and then go do what I must do.
Also, the convenience of having my own food in my own kitchen, helps me make better meal and snack choices. I remember when I was working from home 1-2 days per week. I really enjoyed that. Those alarms really come in useful, and help keep me on track. Also, your employer has teacking software, so thry know exactluly what yoire doing on the company laptop.
I have learned that, for myself, working at home is a no go. The very idea of having these systems in place to do my work is abhorrent to me. Also I consider my home as a place to chill and relax, and do not like the idea of. Having work invade my home life is a non-starter. Fortunately for me, I am retired now. And when I still worked, I was a Park Naturalist and spent a good deal of time outside leading hikes, teaching people of all ages about nature, and having much less indoor time, mostly in the winter. I am firmly convinced that a good percentage of Park Naturalists a likely have some level of ADHD and gravitate to the variety and flexibility of teaching and leading walks outside, especially because the job requires the ability to think on your feet, and to change course when needed. I am thrilled that by the time I retired, people had not yet gotten all entitled about being able to work at home. So e of my old coworkers were required to work two days a week at home. Phew! Glad I missed that.
NOW, being retired is another issue entirely. I may need to get volunteering again to give me some loose structure in my life. And try as I might, I really resist the organizational things that are supposed to work to get things done in my day to day life. As soon as I see charts or alarms or lists, all I see is all the charts and lists and timers and all that I have tried in the past and never been able to stick to using. Each year, my list of to dos is generally the same as it has always been every year before. For me, there has got to be a better way, but I do not know what it is.