Top Life Hack Tools

I’ve used everything here, or one of my neurodivergent friends has told me they find it helpful.

Executive Functioning

Planning, Time Management, and Memory

1. Browser tab groups

   It helps you not lose what you’re working on but also doesn’t go down rabbit holes. I know that Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Chrome now have this built-in.

2. OneNote app

   A great way to organize your notes

3. Apple or Windows Notes, reminders, alarms, and calendar

   Again, I like to keep it simple. I love how you can prioritize reminders and make smart lists on Apple.

4. Structured Daily Planner App

   Tested by my friend, McKenna. For only $9 a year, you get:

   All your calendars in one place

   All your tasks in one place

   Reminder features

   Ability to break down big projects

   Ability to drag tasks in your calendar to time block

   The dopamine rush of checking things off

   All of these features appear on the computer, smartphone, and Apple Watch versions

5. Focus To-Do App

   A Pomodoro timer (a time management technique where you work for 25 minutes and break for 5) where you can adjust the time for your specific needs and make it repeating

   Ability to break down projects and set time aside for different tasks

   Reminder feature

   The best part is that it works on Apple Watch, too, and you can set it to vibrate when you’re out and about.

   Adds on available with the paid version

6. Franklin Planner: https://store.franklinplanner.com/

   This is the only physical planner that ever worked for me and my neurodivergent husband. The regular planners are costly, especially if you go for the refillable binder version, but there are several different layouts for different needs. All their products come with concrete instructions on planning, places for weekly lists, and space for time blocking.

   However, the versions for middle and high school students are way less expensive.

General Adulting

1. Sarah McGlory’s Adaptive Cleaning System: https://www.sarahmcglory.com/

   Let’s be honest. Housework is hard enough as it is and can even feel painful for neurodivergents. This method of spreading tasks over a week and having a progressive list of to-dos based on your energy level is life-changing. Her website has a blog, and you can purchase her adaptive cleaning tool there. The teen and young adult versions are great bang for your buck.

2. My neurodivergent husband’s brilliant money management system

Medical Stuff

1. Your smartphone’s built-in health or medication reminder app. Or any med reminder app, really.

   Almost all have them these days. Some have medication trackers built into one health app that also has cycle trackers for girls and women. Often also allows you to sync stats with devices and apps that record vitals and nutrition intake. And reminds you when you need refills.

2. Any weekly pill box

   I personally use this and a med reminder app

Sensory Sensitivities

Earos

Some awesome people at MIT made these earbuds, which dampen but do not block noise. They have foam insides and outsides like AirPods.

General Tech Advice

When you purchase technology, decide on a platform and stick with it.

If you have an iPhone, get a Mac or iPad if you can and visa versa. The same goes for Windows. Try the platforms before you commit, and choose whatever is most intuitive for you.