It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how long it’s been since you went back-to-school shopping. You still remember the feeling of back to school and how exciting it was. Sure, it was the end of freedom and summer, but it was also the start of new beginnings and hopeful journeys. Each year, I would think about how amazing that school year would be: all the friends I would make, all the classes I would master, and all the memories that I would cherish. You can use that same mentality no matter where you are. Whether you are in the classroom, office, hospital, or field, it’s a second chance at change. Make the most of it!

Organize, Organize, Organize

If you’re in the education space, you may have noticed all the Instagram and Facebook images of the pristine, organized classrooms teachers are designing for back to school. Maybe your Pinterest is filled with “Fall Reset” or “Fall Cleaning” pins. This is the perfect time to try an organization strategy that’s actually effective for ADHDers. Be it color-coding schedules (for those that need those visual designations, downloading an ADHD-friendly cleaning app (I’m partial to Finch), or creating a “closing duties” schedule for you to maintain your household, this is your time to shine.

Decorate

In the same vein as the tip above, decorate your space to promote change and new beginnings! You don’t need to go all Pinterest because that can feel very overwhelming but adding just a little flare to your environment can do wonders! Some ideas include adding new pillows to the couch, updating your frames with new photos, or buying a festive wreath for your front door. Decorating can also mean decluttering. As we know, working in a cluttered space can really affect our productivity and mental health. And yet, with ADHD, it feels impossible to keep our space completely uncluttered too. Take some time “decorating” your space by doing boring tasks, paired with fun tasks. I hate dusting, but if I’m going to bother putting out a pretty flower bouquet on my end table, I might as well dust it first. This task takes 1 minute but I always avoid it. If I have a plan to decorate or ready my space for fall, this simple task will actually get done. Win-win

Rethink Your Morning Routine

This is the perfect time to revamp that morning routine. In the classroom, this often means helping students learn the expectations and order in which their morning routine is to run. Consistency is key. In the house it may be making sure you are gathering all the things you need for your day ahead (nothing like forgetting lunch on the counter) and making sure you are doing everything you need to ensure you’re caring for yourself! Think about the things you want to get done in the morning and make a plan to routinize it! Similar to “closing duties”, your “opening shift” is another way to view your morning routine – it serves as a way to jump start your morning by “opening” your home. Some ideas might include opening the shades, pouring yourself a glass of water, brushing your teeth and washing your face, and taking your meds. All of these tasks are included in your “opening shift” routine, meaning that if your home was a business, these are the tasks that you need to do each morning to start the day.

Embrace Your Creativity

Back to school brings to mind creativity – this is the time where students are learning new skills and discovering new passions. Remember when you chose your instrument for the school year or new electives in your courses, and it opened up a world of possibilities for you? This is a great time to focus on enhancing your creativity too. Get inspired by all the back-to-school madness and get creative! Consider breaking out that sketch book again, joining a team sport, or signing up for a cooking class. Get your creative juices flowing like a kid again!

Go BTS Shopping!

This was always my favorite thing about BTS as a kid. As an adult, we can take advantage BTS shopping too! Make a list of the things you need that you’ve been putting off, and a list of things you want. For example, you may need a new pair of pants for work and a laptop bag, and you may want to get a new fall jacket and workbag. Get a sense for how much money you are willing (and able) to spend on your “need” items, then buy ’em (online or in store if you’d prefer). For the items you “want”, spend some time researching which one’s you’d like (this is often the fun part for ADHDers), and then, don’t do anything. Close the tab and move on. Give yourself at least a week before you go looking for those items again, if you ever do. I find that the act of putting items in my cart can satisfy that craving to shop (compulsive shopping can be a struggle with ADHDers) and I don’t actually continue the drive I feel to purchase things I don’t need after a few days. If my desire to get the specific “want” item remains just as strong as time goes on, consider purchasing that item if you have the financial means to do so. A way I do this is by looking on second-hand marketplaces, such as Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace so I’m still getting what I’m looking for, but not spending money on frivolous things that will end up in the landfill after one use. TBH – I almost always check out second hand markets prior to buying new, whenever possible, even for things I “need”. Some ideas for BTS-style shopping are to buy new work clothes and work supplies (with a focus on clothing styles that are timeless and high-quality, and sustainable), get some new stationary or art supplies that makes you smile, or find some new accessories that showcase how fun you really are (my favorites are Jenny Lemons accessories, JumpFromPaper bags, and anything Studio Ghibli)

Create Goals

…or re-look at your current goals. Teachers do this at the beginning of the school year to determine goals for their classroom and students and set benchmarks throughout the year to measure their progress. They look at the class as a whole as well as individual student goals. Students may also set their own goals. Now it’s your turn. Your goals may be work goals, family goals, relationship goals, personal goals, or financial goals. Don’t forget to set up systems and keep track of your progress!

Hack Your Productivity

This is a great time to focus on getting in a routine that works for you. I know you’ve been working all year, but this is the perfect time to take a good, hard look at your productivity level and see what you can improve. Just like kids going back to school after a long hiatus, you’ll be focusing on increasing your work stamina too.

As an adult, we don’t have to sit back and watch the kids have all the fun! It’s our time to enjoy this glorious mid-year rejuvenation too!

How do you hack BTS for yourself?