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/autodidact-polymath]

I shifted all my focus to repairing and refinishing.

I also have a shit ton of tools and like to repair, refurbish, renew different items to make them mine.

All my furniture is refinished and some pieces are customized even further for me.

I buy used/refurbished and I follow a unique mantra.

The best (non-electronic) stuff was built before 2005. Kitchenware, real wood furniture, cars, etc.

So, go look for that stuff.

Go to Goodwill and find the heaviest silverware, or go to an estate sale and find really nice pots, pans, knives. Find real wood furniture and get some sandpaper, stain and finish. 

Lastly, use technology to make your hobbies more sustainable. Between buying used on eBay, to using Chat GPT to give you tips for how to build a 100% organic garden bed.

It is not about mindless consumption, but find the stuff that you really WANT to have that you never thought to buy used. 

[u/Open-Article2579 → u/autodidact-polymath]

Yes. I agree. This is the way. I’ve realized I need new activity every half hour or so, not necessarily new objects.

I mend all our clothing, rugs, towels, etc. I darn socks. I sew, crochet and knit. I have 4-5 projects going at any one time so I can move around and keep my activity fresh. I explore all the various techniques and use a lot of color.

Also yard maintenance is a dopamine chase for me. I reward myself with 2 or 3 plants a year if I keep up with the ones in place.

[u/deltajayne → u/[deleted]]

I plan more projects (fiber or otherwise) than I ever actually start on. The planning is like 70% of the fun.

(Other 20% of the fun is actually purchasing, and then 5% is doing The Thing.)

[u/bleakj → u/[deleted]]

What's Ravelry?

[u/bleakj → u/[deleted]]

Whenever I look at crochet I always think "I could never ever figure this out."

(I've got multiple university degrees mind you.)

[u/SaxyChick76 → u/bleakj]

I actually figured it out easier than knitting. Had a hecka time teaching myself to knit abs now I do both. I think the tricky part with crochet is knowing where to put the next stitch, but this also makes it more versatile to create fun and different shapes vs just boring flat or round things. I'm often freestyling some kind of bag or pouch for something... dominoes bag. DSLR lens pouches, dishcloths, cat bed...

[u/bleakj → u/SaxyChick76]

I've had family try to show me, I think my arts and crafts skills are just severely limited, my hands just don't do the things right lol

[u/SaxyChick76 → u/bleakj]

It's quite alright. It's not everyone's bag. With my ADD I gravitate to the arts and crafts thing... I mean just about EVERY arts and crafts thing...of course now I don't actually do the crafts. I collect cheap supplies in my craft room (more like a horde than a room) as my shop therapy. And when I'm not out and about I sit and play on my phone, crippled by executive dysfunction. Dishes, laundry, trash... the general living chores all backing up, leaving me guilt-ridden.

[u/bleakj → u/SaxyChick76]

As soon as you hit the "I collect..." Part, everything from there on is me too lol