Top 4 Strategies for ADHD-Friendly Holiday Planning
When you approach the holidays unprepared, it can turn a joyful time into a time filled with stress and anxiety.
The thought of scrambling to get things done at the last minute reminds me of a scene from the beginning of the movie Home Alone when the family is rushing through the airport to make it to their flight on time. You can feel the tension and anxiety building as the family members dash to get on the plane before it's too late.
If you have seen the movie, (*spoiler alert!) you know they don't miss their flight—but just imagine how much calmer things would have been if they hadn't been pushed to the last minute. Who knows? With a plan and a few key strategies, Kevin may not have been left at home, and we may have never gotten to enjoy this classic holiday movie.
While the hustle and bustle and last-minute dash to catch a flight can make for the start of a great movie, that anxiety and stress doesn't translate as well to real life.
Last minute holiday planning, year after year, can lead you to dread the thought of the holidays, instead of looking forward to the chance to give thanks and enjoy the opportunity to connect with family and friends.
Over the years, I have spoken to many clients and members within our Discord community that seem to have just accepted that the holidays are a time of stress, anxiety, and last-minute running around. But, I'm here to tell you it does not have to be that way—whether or not you have ADHD.
Four Holiday Planning Strategies
Here are four strategies you can begin implementing right away to help you have a happier holiday season.
Don't wait to create a plan
When you have ADHD, your perception of time can be off. Time blindness makes it hard to gauge how long something will take or recognize how long until something begins. If you are someone who avoids tasks because the due date seems to be far into the future, you may find the time slipping away quicker than what you thought.Prioritize your tasks
Decide up front which tasks are the most important—what things must you accomplish to ensure a successful holiday season? Separate those high priority tasks from your medium priority tasks or the tasks you would like to do, but they aren't necessary. Color coding your high, medium, and low priority tasks will make it easier to choose the right tasks to give your focus at any time.Break your projects down into smaller tasks
ADHDers are prone to avoiding tasks that aren't broken down into the smallest steps—especially if they're undesirable tasks. When you break down tasks into their smallest parts, it allows for quick wins and more forward progress.Ask for help and delegate
The best part about the holidays is experiencing the season with others—and that can also include the planning and preparing. Share the load and ask those around you to help out and your list will go from to-do to done a lot faster.
I hope these strategies will be a welcome addition to your ADHD toolbox this holiday season. Remember, planning doesn't have to be overwhelming; it's about finding what works best for you. As you navigate these busy months, keep these tips in mind and give yourself the grace to adjust as needed.
Happy Holidays!
Thank you for your time and attention,
Nikki
Looking for more help for the holidays? Take a look at some of our past holiday episodes of The ADHD Podcast: