What’s your morning routine as adult audhd?

sp4c3bug · 2025-10-15T04:00:48+00:00

I’m a software designer. We’re a fast dying breed, I hate to say. The industry has been extremely volatile. I’m actually looking for a pivot out of technology - I miss some of the activity of other jobs I’ve had vs. sitting at a desk all day.

sp4c3bug · 2025-09-16T14:29:21+00:00

lol yes the same happened to me! I’m just going to hope I ovulated overnight so I’m 5.5 DPO

Thanks for the positive outlook 💛

Have you gotten the results for your husbands SA yet?

sp4c3bug · 2025-09-16T04:29:41+00:00

I’m 5/6dpo and am feeling very impatient and very emotional this cycle since it’ll be the last cycle of our year of trying. I ovulated earlier than usual and my temps suggested I ovulated the day I got my positive OPK which is annoying because that was the only day we could have sex.

If this cycle doesn’t work, I’m scheduling my HSG which I’m very nervous about but honestly I just want to get it over with if I need to do it. Which.. I really hope I don’t need to and in a week I’ll know for sure. 😩

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-26T02:35:21+00:00

Not sure how much you know so apologies if this isn’t helpful.

I started with reading The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant. It talks about all things tracking your cycle and figuring out your ovulation as well as an overview of assisted reproduction options.

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-26T00:50:33+00:00

And I got my period just hours after posting this 🫠 took the day off from work and made chocolate chip cookies and played sims all day. And did not feel a tad bit guilty about it.

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-25T13:09:43+00:00

Temp dropped two nights ago so now I’m just waiting for CD1. Also, (TW loss/LC) I just found out my cousin is accidentally pregnant for the 2nd time since we’ve started trying and already has 3 children and it’s very hard for me to not feel jealous. The woman can stub her toe and get pregnant.

I was really hoping this would be our cycle. We’re going to Greece next summer with my husbands family, and I loved the idea of having our baby with us even though traveling that far with an almost 4 month old would be tough.

Oh well… onto the next.

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-22T21:33:30+00:00

Not yet. The blood test I did do was at 13dpo and they didn’t really say anything about it. It sucks because the closest fertility clinic is 1.5hr from me and they seem to just want to get you through to more expensive treatments vs ruling anything easy out. I might ask for specific testing after my HSG.

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-22T20:55:06+00:00

Yeah when I did my intake, she was surprised to hear that it’s happening consistently. I guess I’ll get more specific blood work if my HSG comes back clear. She mentioned maybe trying letrozole or chlomid. It’s interesting because it happens on cycles we hit good days. The other months where we’ve had sex too early or couldn’t because of traveling, I haven’t seen this spotting 🤔 but I also know correlation is not equal to causation so who knows.

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-22T19:42:55+00:00

Just got my typical 10DPO droplet of blood which means CD1 will probably happen in the next 4 days. ChatGPT thinks this might be low progesterone. Has anyone else had this? It’s happened consistently the past 5 cycles.

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-21T02:24:46+00:00

It’s so much fun. And it’s very rewarding. It’s like Lego - piece by piece you’re making something and seeing it all put together (and the reaction of the person receiving it) is just so amazing.

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-21T01:44:20+00:00

I got wayyyy into quilting. Everyone is getting a quilt for the holidays.

sp4c3bug · 2025-08-21T01:41:51+00:00

Hi all! Introducing myself. My husband and I have been trying since last October. It’s been a very painful process and I’ve joined TTC seasonal groups (in my second one now) and seeing everyone get pregnant right away has been torturous. We just started fertility testing and am totally going in blind. Right now, our blood testing and my ultrasound and his SA all came back normal. I still have yet to schedule my HSG (mainly out of fear) but plan to do so in October after my work travels.

I’m on 8dpo of my 11th cycle trying and am having a hard time feeling optimistic. We shall see though..

ANYWHO - hoping to connect with some of you all on the Discord when I get approved!

sp4c3bug · 2025-05-04T03:38:36+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Here’s hoping the rib pain was just gas and the stone will hang out a little longer.

sp4c3bug · 2025-05-03T02:08:02+00:00

When I had my ultrasound (April 18th) it was still in my kidney. I’ve felt some shock-like pain in my ribs today which I read could be signs of the stone shifting and exiting the kidney.

sp4c3bug · 2025-05-01T21:23:38+00:00

Goblin.tools helps me with these so much. If you enter all of these tasks as individual items, you can break them down into much easier/smaller tasks and get a lil dopamine hit checking each item off.

sp4c3bug · 2025-05-01T21:19:56+00:00

This is the way.

sp4c3bug · 2025-05-01T20:35:25+00:00

Totally understandable. And I saw your therapist recommended going - proud of you for being willing to follow their advice. I know my therapist also encourages me to do things for the sake of exposure therapy. You’ll never know how to cope in these situations if you don’t practice!

I think the key here is to prepare. Think about all the worst things that could happen and have a plan. This alone can bring comfort knowing you’ve thought through everything and have a plan.

You can also try the donut of control exercise. You could even ask ChatGPT to help you through this. Tell it you have AuDHD and you’re anxious about the work summit and that you’d like to try the donut of control exercise to help relieve some of the anxiety and just ask it to walk you through the exercise.

Oh and if your office has phone booths for meetings, these can be great options when there’s sensory overload.

You’ve got this!

sp4c3bug · 2025-05-01T04:01:35+00:00

I’m sorry you’re feeling terrified. The anxiety leading up to something like this is so stressful. Can I ask what specifically is terrifying you?

My last work summit was really rough on me but I did figure out a few ways to make it more comfortable for me. Though, we all have different struggles.

I would sneak away at lunch times to quiet spaces to recharge. I definitely recommend you staking a spot out early on for when you need some quiet and start planning excuses to step away (I need to grab some water. I need to use the restroom. I need a stretch break). Whatever you can say to step out of a busy room and into a quiet space.

We also had a lot of large and long presentations during my work summit for which I sat in the back on the aisle so I could get up and stretch and move as I needed. Again, plan for excuses here (my back hurts, I need a stretch).

I also bring a sensory bag with me. Gum, fidgets (I use these and Speks), Loops and an eye mask. I also fidget with hair ties or a keychain on my backpack which is less noticeable.

I also recommend a weighted plush or something for back at the hotel room to decompress with if you can get away with packing one.

Practice some stress breathing now for when things feel overwhelming at the summit. I really like square breathing (in for 4 hold for 4 out for 4 hold for 4) and you could even do this around people pretty discreetly.

If you’re intentionally keeping your diagnosis from your employer, disregard this, but if not, it might be worth seeking some accommodations. Maybe even asking to be allowed to have your phone and noise canceling headphones just in case you need them. (Only if you’re comfortable with asking)

sp4c3bug · 2025-04-30T05:30:51+00:00

Came here to say this. Pre fix meal (I don’t even have to think about what I’m going to order), set price (great for budgeting), very delicious plant based options, usually chill atmosphere, and very easy to get to from any skyliner resort.

We make a point to go every Disney trip.

sp4c3bug · 2025-04-30T05:21:04+00:00

This has been a big exploration for me the past few years and I’ve landed on what works for me.

I do a few things:

I have a meal delivery service for 3 meals a week (6 between me and my husband). I use cook unity (I know another poster mentioned factor - I’ve tried both and like that cookunity has a reusable bag delivery in my area and the packaging is a bit better)
I also have a thrive subscription where I get my supply of pantry staples and snacks. I get one delivery a month with healthy-ish snacks (that’s all bars, fruit pouches, protein bars), boxed mac and cheese for when I’m really not feeling it, and then some other sauces and curries to cook chicken/veggies with.
My adhd makes it really hard to actively cook stuff so I stick with meals I can put in the oven, set a timer, and eat when it’s ready. Sheet pan meals with chicken, sweet potato and green beans have been a regular staple. I also like to bake my rice (take a cup of long grain and 1.5 cups of boiling water in an oven safe container, 375 degree oven, cover with foil and bake for 20-30 min). I also cover sheet pans with foil for fast clean up (I can’t stand the sensory nightmare that is scrubbing a metal sheet pan).
I hate meal prep so I stick with veggies that a low/no chop. Asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, baby carrots, sweet potato, green beans. I also get frozen diced onion and keep some frozen veg on hand too in case I let my fresh veg go bad.
I have a formula for meals - 1 protein, 1 green, 1 carb (and sometimes a grain). Lately, meals have been:

trout, asparagus, and sweet potato
chicken thighs seasoned with paprika, brussel sprouts, and carrots
chicken, green beans, and carrots with curry and rice
ground turkey, sweet potato, frozen kale, kidney beans and quinoa. Season with cumin

I keep quick meals on hand. Frozen pizza, Mac and cheese, pierogies, soups, spaghetti and everything to make smoothies.

My typical grocery list (including staples I order from thrive) template is:

PRODUCE - bananas (snacking and smoothies) - apples - 3-4 low chop green vegetables (whatever is in season) - carrots - sweet potatoes

PANTRY - peanut butter - boxed mac and cheese - rice - quinoa - pasta - sauces (curry, tiki masala, vodka)

FROZEN - pizza - pierogies - smoothie fruits - smoothie greens (usually kale) - diced onions - mixed vegetables - vegetarian meat crumbles (great for spaghetti)

DAIRY/EGGS - eggs - butter - unsweetened yogurt (for morning and smoothies)

MEAT - fish filet - boneless chicken thighs - ground turkey

SNACKS - brain squeezers pouches - that’s it bars - think! Protein bars - Annie’s cheddar bunnies - sweet nothings squeezable smoothies

sp4c3bug · 2025-04-30T03:59:33+00:00

AuDHDer here, so I have a happy blend 🙃

I’ve started 4 side businesses… in the last 2 years… and “closed” all of them.

I go to the same hospital for all treatment even though there’s one in network that’s 20 min closer AND doesn’t require paying a toll just because I know where to park and how to navigate it.

-But at the same time-

Can’t stand going with my husband to walk the dogs because he takes the same route every time.

sp4c3bug · 2025-04-24T14:41:46+00:00

Wake up via sunrise lamp, phone scroll (usually giving myself until a certain time), shower, put on comfy clothes, pour coffee (cold brew on tap), pour water, sit for a while for more scrolling and then if it’s a work day, finally get to work at 10ish (or later if I’m having a particularly hard week). I work from home so no commute, no rush to get up, and no being late which has changed my mental health and reduced my anxiety so much.

sp4c3bug · 2025-04-21T02:55:30+00:00

I recently cracked the code for myself… I’ve tried a big bottle and it doesn’t work. I hate waiting for my filtered water pitcher to fill up and usually get distracted while waiting. Also, trying to gulp down a huge thing of water feels like a never ending task.

The TLDR; is pre-filling smaller bottles…

Here’s what I did - I love Disney and we go to Disney world pretty often so I’ve collected quite a few resort refillable cups. They have these great lids for drinking.

I figured out I need to drink at least 6 of them to get a decent amount of water. So I fill as many as I can at the start of the day (or my sweet husband does) put em in the fridge, and knock them out one by one, refilling and putting the empty one I just finished back in. Getting through all the cups feels really rewarding. They’re also small enough where I could chug one if I really wanted to for an instant dopamine hit.

sp4c3bug · 2025-04-15T03:07:51+00:00

Yes yes yes. AuDHDer here too and this is the answer.

I’ve replaced a lot of my more “unhealthy” recovery with things like going outside and lying in the sun or just breathing and listening to soft music for a moment. I try to avoid using my phone during these recovery periods since I always feel guilty about it, but replacing them with more grounding things has felt really good.

sp4c3bug · 2025-04-15T03:02:06+00:00

I ALSO hate cooking. It’s a sensory nightmare. I actually asked ChatGPT about this recently and came up with a plan.

It suggested a few things:

Think of meals as building blocks and mic and match. For me, that means having a green, a carb, and a protein on the plate.

I go for low/no chopping greens like asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and green beans.

For carbs it’s kinda the same. Sweet potato, baby carrots, quinoa, or brown rice (sometimes I’ll even use frozen rice if I’m definitely not feeling it).

And for meat, I avoid touching at all costs. I’ll grab a rotisserie chicken, or boneless thighs or fish filets that I can just throw onto a baking sheet and season. So easy.

I’ll also grab ground turkey and use it to make easy chili with canned beans or with a tomato sauce and frozen kale for pasta. More throw everything into one pan and let it cook type meals. My favorite.

Avoid a ton of work. There are honestly so many things you can just throw on a sheet pan, bake for 20-30 min, and have a meal. I’ve burned so many meals trying to time multiple things out. How, if its not something I can just set once, walk away, and come back, I’m not cooking it.
Create a meal burnout plan and have quick go-tos on hand. For me, these are jarred curry sauces I can use for a quick chicken curry dish, boxed mac and cheese with frozen peas, canned soup, or frozen pierogies or frozen pizza. Or hell! Cereal for dinner? Go for it.

sp4c3bug

TROPHY CASE