NicoleIf you’ve ever bought a planner with high hopes only to abandon it a week later, you’re not alone. For ADHD writers, traditional planners can feel like a cruel joke—rigid structures, overwhelming layouts, and daily demands that don’t fit how your brain works.
The truth is, it’s not you. It’s the planner.
Most planners are designed for neurotypical minds. They assume you’ll remember to fill them out every day, stay on track effortlessly, and never lose focus. For ADHD writers, those expectations can create more frustration than clarity.
✨But what if you had a planner that actually worked for your ADHD brain?✨
As someone who works with ADHD writers , academics and authors every day, I’ve seen firsthand what tools and strategies help. Of course, no ADHD/ADD author is the same. Here’s how to figure out what sort of planner might help you write, reflect, and thrive—without the guilt or overwhelm.
Why many ADHD Brains Struggle With Traditional Planners
The writing life already comes with its challenges: finding time to work, managing self-doubt, and navigating distractions. Add ADHD into the mix, and the overwhelm can multiply.
Traditional planners make it worse by relying on structures that don’t align with some ADHD traits I’ve seen in writers I worked with. Traditional planners often assume:
- You’ll use the planner consistently every day.
- You won’t miss tasks or deadlines.
- You’ll easily pick yourself up after a period of procrastination.
But many ADHD writers think differently. You might need flexibility, space for brainstorming, or tools to turn big ideas into achievable steps. Does that speak to you? If not, what annoys you about ‘off the shelf’ planners?
Sadly, “regular” planners can feel like yet another thing you’re failing at.
Your Planner Should Work With You, Not Against You
Here’s the mindset shift that changes everything:
Your planner doesn’t have to look perfect, be filled out every day, or even follow the “rules” of neurotypical productivity. Instead, it should be a tool that supports your creative process and is adjustable.
My clients have told me that planners for ADHD writers work best when they:
- Reduce mental clutter.
- Offer flexibility without judgment.
- Celebrate progress instead of focusing on perfection.
- Help you find ways back to the project no matter how many breaks you took.
- Support you with ideas to get out of procrastination and block.
I wonder what would be on your wish list for a planner?
Kind of like a coach, but on paper (and cheaper!). When you shift your expectations on a planner, and think about what works for you, you can start using them as creative tools tailored to your unique needs.
How ADHD Writers Can Use a Planner Successfully
Not all planners are created equal, especially for ADHD writers. Look for these features to start with (and extend this list for your personal needs):
- Undated pages: Skip days without guilt. Skip whole weeks. Doesn’t matter! You can always return and haven’t wasted “dated” pages.
- Space for smaller tasks and reflection: Capture ideas, brainstorm, and reflect each month (and space to doodle).
- Habit trackers and reflection prompts: Celebrate your wins and stay motivated. And if you don’t fill this in – no worries!
- Clean, simple designs: Avoid visual overwhelm. Simple boxes and clean appearance (and you can decorate it if you wish).
What else would work for you?
Pro Tip: Find a planner that feels inviting. Some ADHD brains love novelty and visual appeal (others prefer minimalist styles, we’re all different!), so choose one that excites you to use it regularly.
Use Your Planner as a Tool, Not a Taskmaster
Your planner isn’t there to demand perfection—it’s there to help you create clarity. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Brain dump first: Write down everything in your head, perhaps on a piece of paper or in a journal, then organise it into tasks using your daily or weekly planner.
- Start small: Plan one week at a time, and turn the page to next week if this one was awful. You’ll experiment until you know what works.
- Forgive gaps: Missed a day or week? No problem. Just pick up where you left off. (if the planner is undated, it helps).
One ADHD writer I coached found success by using her planner exclusively for weekly writing goals. The rest of her life was scheduled on a google calendar. That’s also how I use my own planner—so I am reminded that there’s ‘sacred’ space for writing.
Add Habits That Stick
Building the habit of using your planner consistently takes time, but ADHD-friendly strategies can help:
- Keep it visible: Leave your planner open on your desk or near your workspace. If I have mine in my backpack, I’ll forget that it’s there.
- Pair it with routines: Review your goals with your morning coffee or at the end of your writing session. Make it a habit to check in and out with your planner, as if it was a coach you’re emailing.
- Make it enjoyable: Add stickers, doodles, or affirmations to make the process fun. There are loads of stickers on Amazon.
Another ADHD writer I worked with added a five-minute “planner reset” to their evening routine. Tracking goals became a moment of reflection and calm rather than just another chore.
The Write Habit Planner: Made for ADHD Writers
If you’re tired of planners that don’t fit your writing needs, meet The Write Habit Planner.
Designed specifically for ADHD writers (and all those busy and stressed-out neurotypical authors out there) it combines flexibility, creativity, and structure in a way that supports your brain, your writing, and your life. With undated pages, habit trackers, reflection prompts, it’s a tool you’ll want to use every day—or whenever you need it most.
To support you even more, The Write Habit Planner comes with a free video course telling you exactly how you can break it in, where you might trip up, and how to adjust it to your needs. I want you to be able to use it without overwhelm. Plus, there’s a lively Facebook community to talk to other writers, rather than doing it alone!
The Big Picture
Planners don’t have to be another source of stress. For ADHD writers, the right planner can be a creative ally, helping you stay on track, celebrate your wins, and make progress on your goals—on your own terms.
Stop fighting with systems that don’t work for your brain. Start using tools that help you write and thrive.
