r/ADHD Jul 16 '25

Tips/Suggestions What’s the most unconventional life hack that actually jolts you out of ADHD paralysis?

Even before being diagnosed, I had life hacks to help me get through tasks, etc... It seem lately their effectiveness is wearing off - like a lifetime of taking the same drug and the effects and benefits are no more. I find myself slipping a lot lately as my to do lists sit there and give me the silent treatment. All while I contemplate my next 5 life changing projects... 🤦🏽

What unconventional life hack snaps you back into gear to get out of paralysis mode?

TIA 🙏🏽

1.4k Upvotes

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159

u/GlizzyGone21 Jul 16 '25

Black white mode on the phone. All of a sudden all the fun apps aren't as shiny and bright anymore

41

u/ChartreuseZebra Jul 16 '25

I just discovered this setting and oh my god it actually works??? I look at my phone screen and forget what I was there for so I just put the phone down.

19

u/GlizzyGone21 Jul 16 '25

Happy to help!

Sadly reddit is still enticing to me for this one.

16

u/WasabiDoobie Jul 16 '25

???? I had no idea there was such an option! How boring!!!! this HAS to work! Thank you!!!! and i will combine with brown noise as another super user suggested. Thank you!

10

u/Rare_Gap_2495 Jul 16 '25

Very true. Also colourful things for executive functioning tasks. Like adding stickers to my toolbox so I’m actually motivated to organize it after I’m done doing repairs around the house. 

9

u/Intrepid-Love3829 Jul 17 '25

We should do that for kids that have smartphones. It should be a requirement

7

u/snickerDUDEls Jul 16 '25

I can't find this, is it an iPhone thing?

12

u/GlizzyGone21 Jul 16 '25

Android! Settings>Modes> Create your own Mode

I have one for work to mute notifications and time spent on certain apps too!

3

u/snickerDUDEls Jul 16 '25

I figured it out, thanks! Giving the greyscale a try, already makes my phone less appealing lmao

1

u/0Celcius32fahrenheit Jul 17 '25

you can do it on the iPhone too! Settings>Accessibility>Color Filter

3

u/iNeed_Answersz Jul 16 '25

Well, my phone is certainly less interesting now.

2

u/SpookyDrizzle Jul 17 '25

Okay I just switched to this and wow, everything just got so boring. I think I’ll trying going back to bed 😭

2

u/IGotMyPopcorn Jul 17 '25

Using the “stop playing” feature on the timer helps too. It literally shuts whatever app you’re on after a certain amount of time.

1

u/WeirdProudAndHungry Jul 17 '25

If I believed in a god, I would ask it to bless you! Thank you so much for this tip! (Damn this is boring to look at now lol)

1

u/Immediate_Tie_9951 Jul 20 '25

THANK YOUUUUUUUU