How Notion + ChatGPT Helped Me Get My Life (Somewhat) Together
If you’re someone with ADHD, you know the feeling: executive dysfunction, mental clutter, and starting 12 tasks before finishing one. That was me—until I found an unlikely combo that helped me function like a semi-organized human: Notion and ChatGPT.
Living with ADHD = Organized Chaos
My brain thrives in chaos but craves structure. I tried planners, calendars, sticky notes, alarms… and still forgot lunch. What finally worked wasn’t just a productivity tool, but a whole system built for my neurospicy brain.
Building My ADHD-Friendly System in Notion
Here’s what I set up:
Homebase Dashboard: One page with links to everything—daily tasks, goals, grocery list, work stuff, and self-care.
Time Blocks with Emoji Labels: I break my day into flexible blocks (not rigid hours), using color codes and fun icons to keep my brain engaged.
Rolling Task List: Tasks that move with me instead of making me feel like I failed if I didn’t do them yesterday.
Brain Dump Page: My judgment-free zone. I toss in everything I’m thinking about and sort it later.
ChatGPT = My Executive Function Sidekick
While Notion gave me structure, ChatGPT gave me clarity. I use it to:
Break down overwhelming projects
Decide what’s realistic to do when I have 10 minutes and no motivation
Turn chaotic thoughts into checklists or newsletter blurbs
Build grocery lists based on preferences (no sausage, please)
It’s like having an assistant who doesn’t judge, doesn’t sleep, and never says, “Didn’t we already talk about this?”
What Changed
I feel less shame about forgetting things.
I finally have a system I can actually use.
I still forget stuff, but now I have a home for it all.
If you’re ADHD like me, try starting with one page:
A brain dump page.
Then ask ChatGPT: “Can you help me sort this?”
Build from there. Slowly. Kindly. Messily.
Because progress doesn’t have to be pretty to be powerful.
