🍋 When Your To-Do List Feels Like a Monster: Gentle Productivity for Creative Brains (ADHD-Friendly Tips Included)

Blume Bauer
6 days ago
2 min read

Woman with curly hair looks stressed, sitting at cluttered desk in art studio. Her eyes are closed, head resting on hand. Warm lighting. An ADHD artist feeling frustrated over her to-do list.

Ever stare at your to-do list and feel like you might just melt into a puddle of nope? You’re not alone—and you’re not lazy. Whether you live with ADHD or just have a wonderfully busy creative brain, getting things done (especially the important stuff) can feel so much harder than it sounds.

Here’s a gentle reminder: you’re not broken. You’re building something meaningful. And yes—there’s a way forward.

Woman with curly hair leans on her hand, sitting in an art-filled studio, wearing a green apron and polka dot blouse, looking content. An ADHD female artist feeling more happy and at peace with a plan from The Yellow Studio.

💛 1. First, Give Yourself a Judgment-Free Zone

Let’s start here, because this is the foundation. If your brain doesn’t operate in straight lines, that’s not a flaw—it’s a feature. But shame? Guilt? Comparison? Those are real productivity killers.

Instead of beating yourself up, try this:

“I’m not behind. I’m building—slowly, beautifully, and in my own way.”

A cluttered desk with flowers, a notebook list, pencils, glasses, and a patterned cup of coffee. Creative, colorful, and busy workspace. A "done" list sits on the middle of the desk, helping artists and ADHD women stay inspired by what they have accomplished, not just what is left to-do at The Yellow Studio.

✏️ 2. Keep a “Done List” Instead of Just a To-Do List

This one changes everything.

I keep a super simple Google Doc with two columns:

🗓 Date | ✅ What I Got Done

Every time I complete anything, no matter how small, I jot it down. At the end of the week, I always feel better—because I can see my progress instead of assuming I did “nothing.”

💡 This helps your brain recognize momentum, not just pressure.

Notebook with "Priorities" written, glasses on top. Background: pink flowers, books, colored pencils, cup of coffee; cozy and organized setting at The Yellow Studio.

🎯 3. Write Down Just 1–3 Priorities Each Day

Your long list? It’ll still be there. But for today, just pick the 1–3 things that matter most.

📌 Tip: Write these on paper and keep it in sight. Digital lists are great, but visual reminders in your physical space can help ADHD brains stay focused.

Let everything else wait. You’re not ignoring it—you’re choosing what matters today.

Woman in a green floral dress stands in an art studio, arms crossed and smiling contently. The background is filled with art supplies and artwork. She is an ADHD artist who works in bursts of inspiration and that is okay.

✨ 4. Your Progress Can Be Bursty—and That’s Okay

ADHD and creative brains often work in bursts: a flurry of progress, followed by rest, followed by another burst. That’s not inconsistency—it’s a rhythm.

It’s okay to:

Work in sprints.
Take breaks without guilt.
Come back to your work with fresh energy.

“Slow and steady” doesn’t mean “same speed every day.”

Woman with curly hair, in a green patterned dress, looks delighted, holding her face. Art-filled studio with papers in the background. She is an artist with ADHD who feels happy and satisfied with her accomplishments she learned with The Yellow Studio.

🌈 5. You Will Get There

Even if it’s slow. Even if it’s weird. Even if you build your business in the in-between moments, the distracted afternoons, the late-night inspiration sessions.

You don’t need perfect focus to build a beautiful life. You just need a way to start again, gently, each time you drift.

💌 Want More Gentle Guidance?

If you're building a print-on-demand business or creative practice and need a cozy, encouraging place to land, check out The Yellow Studio Facebook Group. We're building our dreams slowly, joyfully, and together—with a big ol’ cup of lemonade by our side. 🍋✨