Santa Cruz ADHD Support Group

02/06/2026

So many ways to work on executive functioning skills with a task like cleaning out a closet. First step is to break it down into steps or chunks. Here's a great free tool for that: https://www.theottoolbox.com/breaking-down-goals/

02/06/2026

Plans are meant to support you! When life changes, energy shifts, or new information shows up, it’s okay to adjust the plan. That’s flexible thinking, one of the most important executive function skills we have.

Writing goals in pencil gives your brain permission to adapt, revise, and keep moving forward without shame.

You’re allowed to course-correct. That’s how progress stays possible. 🧠

02/05/2026

02/05/2026

02/04/2026

💵 Cash Envelope System
The Cash Envelope System is a budgeting method where you divide your monthly spending money into physical (or digital) “envelopes,” each labeled for a category like:

🥗 Groceries

🚗 Transport

🛍️ Shopping

🎉 Fun

💡 Bills

You place a set amount of cash in each envelope at the start of the month.

👉 Once an envelope is empty — you stop spending in that category.

That’s it. No guessing. No overspending.

✅ How It Works (Step-by-Step)

List your monthly expense categories

Decide how much each category gets

Withdraw that total in cash

Fill each envelope

Spend only from the matching envelope

If groceries run out early, you either adjust or wait — which builds awareness fast.

🌟 Why It’s So Effective

Makes spending visible & tangible

Stops impulse purchases

Forces prioritization

Encourages mindful money habits

Great for people who overspend on cards/apps

Psychology tip: handing over cash hurts more than tapping a card — so you naturally spend less.

🔄 Modern Version

Don’t like cash? Use digital envelopes with apps or separate bank accounts for each category — same concept, modern tools.

02/04/2026

🗂 The 5-Minute Rule – Set a timer for 5 minutes and tackle one area. Small wins add up!
📦 The "One-Year Test" – If you haven't used it in a year, consider donating or tossing it.
🛑 The One-In, One-Out Rule – Every time you bring something new in, let go of something old.
🗄 Declutter by Category – Focus on one type of item at a time (clothes, papers, toys, etc.).
💭 Ask Yourself: "Does this add value to my life?" If not, it's time to let it go!

What’s your go-to decluttering trick? Share in the comments! ⬇️

02/03/2026

02/02/2026

Why the ADHD Brain Chooses the Less Important Task — and How CBT Improves Prioritization Skills
👉 https://www.additudemag.com/how-to-prioritize-tasks-adhd-adults/

02/02/2026

🧠 Sometimes the hardest part of work isn’t the work.
💡It’s starting.

Especially with ADHD. Not because you don’t care.
Not because you’re lazy. But because your nervous system is already braced.

This is why coworking helps.

Most people notice two things right away:
• starting feels easier
• their body stays calmer while working

That’s not accidental. That’s structure doing its job.
Borrowed structure > solo willpower.

Free ADHD coworking session this Wednesday. 👇
adhdcollective.com/adhd-coworking-session-online/

02/01/2026

Our February decluttering ideas give you another month of simple and practical decluttering and home organization ideas for the month ahead.

Whether you’re keen to continue your January progress into the new month or you want to make decluttering a priority in February, the calendar gives you ideas for daily decluttering.

There is emphasis on doing a little bit in lots of areas and rooms of the house. Later in the month, the ideas focus on getting your home ready for the spring season.

Even if you only get 5-10 minutes done in a day, it’s all progress that counts!

02/01/2026

Laundry is often one of the main life skills stumbling blocks that executive functioning skills impact. You might see the piles of laundry on the bedroom floor that never make it to the washer...or the wet clothes that stink before they make it to the dryer...or the wrinkled ball of clothing that never makes it from the laundry basket back to the drawers.

And it never ends!

We updated an older blog post with EF hacks and tips for laundry. AND, you can grab a printable laundry checklist and executive functioning hack cheat sheet.
Get it here: https://www.theottoolbox.com/laundry-skills/

Image shows puzzle pieces titled with components of executive functioning hacks for doing the life skill of laundry.

How can you use these tips to support working memory, attention, task completion, etc.?
⏰Set Timers: Use your phone to set timers to sort, start the washer, switch the laundry to the dryer, and then to remove clothing from the dryer.
🔑Minimize Steps: Pre-measured detergent pods can be used instead of liquid or powder detergents to simplify measuring.
📋Routine Reinforcement: Consistently do your laundry on specific days and at set times to reinforce the routine, making it easier to remember and manage.
📅Task Segmentation: If doing all steps in one day is too overwhelming, consider breaking the task across different days (e.g., sorting on one day, washing the next)

Get our tips and tricks here: https://www.theottoolbox.com/laundry-skills/

01/31/2026

Living with ADHD often means feeling like your emotions go from zero to sixty in seconds — anger, overwhelm, shutdown, shame, or emotional exhaustion that se...