We regret to inform you that the squirrels have been given access to the trains.

This episode started with Amy and Megan trying to have a conversation while simultaneously realizing they needed to write down completely unrelated thoughts before those thoughts vanished forever. From there, naturally, we ended up discussing working memory, externalizing information, Notion, notebooks, Excel, Google Calendar, reminders, prospective memory, and the surprisingly complicated question of “Where did I put that thing I wrote down?”

There is a particular ADHD/neurodivergent flavor of productivity where getting something out of your brain is only half the battle. You can write it down. You can build a system. You can create a reminder. You can even make it searchable. And then six months later, your brain has decided that the system is boring and would like a new system, please.

We also get into the weird tradeoff of having systems that are structured enough to keep things moving but flexible enough to survive changing circumstances and the inevitable loss of novelty. Because apparently, the productivity system itself has to remain interesting enough for the ADHD brain to continue caring about it.

So yes, we're basically trying to create designated train tracks for our thoughts while giving the squirrels enough new scenery to keep them entertained. Totally normal conversation.

ADHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveFunction #ADHDProductivity #WorkingMemory #Neurodiversity