Living simply, with ADHD.

[u/Impermanentlyhere]

How does one shift towards a more simple life with dopamine seeking behaviours/habits caused by ADHD? Can anyone relate? I hyperfixate on the next expensive skin product or gym class or influencer or kitchen appliance that I think will make my life better and it all adds up to mental and physical clutter. I have too many possessions and it never feels like enough- I really want to minimise but then I’ll go through a low season and impulse buy more. My brain feels like it wasn’t built in way that’s conducive to a slow, grateful life. It’s always, “what’s next” can anyone relate?

[u/dealwithitdotgif]

I feel like I could have written this! A couple of things that have helped me "tame" it a little...

-leaving items in my shopping cart for a few days. I am always looking for the thing that will "fix" me or make me a better person (or will be my absolute favorite pair of shoes, etc etc) and I find if I leave it in my cart, I go back to it and think "what the hell did i want this for??" It works almost every single time- and if i go back and I still really want it, I will allow myself to buy it.

• Journaling. Especially when I am feeling out of control or very discontent with my life (which leads to impulse shopping). I dont get deep, just basic stuff- naming what I'm feeling, then sometimes listing out some of the things I am grateful for. Definitely helps keep the feelings in check

-I've been buying fancy crystal glasses when I see them at Goodwill! I'll go searching for them I need a "fix" of retail therapy and every time I use them I feel so happy.

• I second the comment about the library. Even if I check out 10 books, i know eventually they'll go back (and I almost never read even a quarter of them, but I don't have to feel bad because they were free!)