November 3rd 2024
Happy Momentum Monday (on a Sunday) and Happy November!
How the hell is it ALREADY November?! Honestly time is a triiiip! Click here to see my November workshops.
Anywho, it’s our first official week of “Surviving the Holidays” with Momentum Monday, and we’re kicking things off with a Holiday Head Start!
The holidays can be magical and chaotic. Add ADHD to the mix and the intensified bustle can feel like an absolute whirlwind. But starting small, right now, can make a huge difference in reducing the last-minute scramble. This week, let’s start with the basics: a holiday brain dump and a bit of planning to keep things manageable(ish). 🎅🎁
Want to dive deeper into your specific “brand” of ADHD?
Why This Works for ADHD Brains:
When holiday season to-dos start piling up, it can feel like a giant snowdrift of decisions, commitments, and endless shopping lists. And when your brain starts swirling, the overwhelm can freeze you in your tracks, no frigid temps required. That’s why a simple holiday brain dump can be a game-changer. Dumping all your holiday tasks onto paper means you don’t have to hold every detail in your head (or worry about what you’re forgetting).
Once those thoughts are all laid out, we’re gonna zoom in on the biggest essentials—whether that’s travel logistics, a gift plan, or the all-important holiday self-care.
Key Habits for a Holiday Head Start:
- Brain-Dump Your Holiday Musts:
Sit down with a piece of paper, your Notes app, or your favorite list tool, and let loose all your holiday-related tasks. Think of everything that pops to mind: gifts, gatherings, traditions, cooking, self-care. Get it all down, messy is fine and encouraged. No need to organize it yet—just capture what you don’t want to forget. - Pick Your Top Three:
Now that you’ve got your brain dump, prioritize three essentials to start with. What will make the biggest impact on your holiday sanity? This could be setting up travel plans, getting ahead on gift shopping, or booking that solo day off to recharge. These are the three to focus on first, with the rest as “extras.” - Start Small and Block Time:
Break down each essential into mini-tasks you can chip away at, and give them time slots. Holiday tasks don’t have to eat up hours—try starting with a 10-minute “gift brainstorm” or making one family phone call. Taking these little steps now will keep things manageable and help you dodge last-minute overwhelm. Tip: A friend of mine implemented the rule of 4, where instead of going all willy nilly every year, her kids get something they need, something they want(ish), something to wear and something to read. Just throwing that out there in case it’s helpful to cut down on the overwhelm and over gifting (not to mention over spending).
Action Step for This Week:
Take 10 minutes to brain-dump every holiday to-do on your mind. Then, circle your top three essentials and break them into mini-tasks to tackle over the next week. 🎄 This small start will make a huge difference in reducing the holiday chaos and keeping you steady through the season!
Let’s keep the holidays merry and manageable. You’ve got this!
Catch you next week for our next step in the series.
Leah 🌶
P.S. If you’re looking for a bit more support, check out my workshops on Eventbrite.