If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “Have you tried setting an alarm?” as a solution for ADHD, you’re not alone. It’s one of those suggestions that make ADHDers want to scream. Sure, we’ve tried it—but let’s be real: alarms aren’t always the simple fix people think they are. Let’s break down why.
1. Alarms Interrupt You When You’re in the Zone
When that alarm goes off, it’s almost always while you’re knee-deep in something important (or at least something you’re super focused on). Now you’ve got a new problem:
- How am I supposed to remember to come back and finish this?
- How do I summon the energy to return to this task later?
- Why does it feel so horrible to stop when I’m so close to completing it?
2. Switching Tasks Requires a Major Mental Shift
Transitioning from one task to another sounds easy in theory, but for someone with ADHD, it can be incredibly uncomfortable. It’s not just about moving on; it’s about recalibrating your brain’s focus and energy. That shift feels a lot harder than people realize.
3. What If You Don’t Want to Do What the Alarm’s Telling You?
Here’s the kicker: alarms are completely useless if you don’t actually want to do the thing they’re reminding you to do. We’ve all been there—an alarm goes off for a task, but emotionally, you’re just not feeling it. When that happens, how do you push through?
So, What’s the Solution?
As frustrating as alarms can be, they’re not entirely hopeless. Here are two steps to take if alarms are more irritating than helpful:
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Breathe Through the Frustration: When people suggest unhelpful advice, they’re not trying to upset you—they genuinely want to help. Try to remember this before throwing your phone out the window.
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Believe Alarms Can Work for You: The problems you have with alarms are solvable. With the right approach, you can make this time-management tool work for you.
If you’re struggling to figure out how to make alarms (or anything else related to ADHD) work, don’t worry. I help people with this all the time. Feel free to send me a message—we can work on it together.
P.S. You’re not alone in feeling frustrated by all this. Time management with ADHD can be challenging, but it’s absolutely something you can improve with the right tools and mindset!
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