How I Manage ADHD as an Adult Content Creator

Blog Post Written By: Melrose Michaels

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Navigating the adult content industry is a demanding journey, especially when you’re also managing the complexities of ADHD or other forms of neurodivergence. For the longest time, I didn’t realize why I struggled with things like procrastination, anxiety, and unpredictable bursts of productivity until I received a formal ADHD diagnosis. With greater self-awareness, I discovered a toolkit of strategies that transformed my workflow, mindset, and sense of self.

In this post, I’m sharing what’s genuinely worked for me and how you can use these techniques to unlock your creative superpowers.

Understanding ADHD Through My Lived Experience

Before my diagnosis, I spent a year thinking I was battling depression. Everything felt hard: starting projects, finishing them, and even getting motivated enough for basic self-care. As I dove into the world of neurodiversity, I learned something crucial: ADHD looks radically different in women than it does in men. While hyperactivity in men is often obvious, in women, it’s usually internal: a nonstop mental chaos, self-doubt, and, for many, years of misdiagnosis (I was told it was anxiety for most of my life).

What looked like laziness or inconsistency was actually my brain operating on a different engine. Facing ADHD means navigating challenges like rejection sensitivity, masking, perfectionism, burnout cycles, and impulsivity, all while trying to run a business that demands creativity, consistency, and adaptability.

Strategy One: Body Doubling for Accountability and Momentum

The first major breakthrough came when I stumbled on the concept of body doubling. This technique is simple but powerful; just working alongside another person (in-person or virtually) can help you stay on track. I noticed how much more productive I was when doing my hair and makeup over FaceTime with a friend. It’s a light form of accountability that reduces the paralysis and procrastination ADHD often brings.

If you’re looking for a supportive space, our CEO Society community hosts daily virtual coworking sessions, so you never have to tackle your content schedule, admin work, or creative tasks alone. Body doubling not only fuels productivity but also boosts mental health, making the process of ‘getting started’ less daunting.

Strategy Two: The Pomodoro Method and Batching Tasks

Next, I leaned into the Pomodoro Method and batching. Pomodoros break work into 25-minute bursts of focused effort followed by a short break. The audible ticking of a timer (yes, I use a kitchen timer!) helps anchor my attention, and turning tasks into a game keeps me engaged.

Batching complements this by grouping similar tasks together. Instead of scrambling to create engagement tweets daily (and forgetting half the time!), I now schedule a month’s worth in one sitting. This approach minimizes task switching and gives my brain the structure it craves.

Strategy Three: Time Blocking by Day and Week

Time management became much simpler when I expanded from daily time blocking to blocking out my entire week. I alternate between “manager/admin weeks” and “creative/filming weeks,” putting all meetings and admin in one block, and reserving others for deep creative work. This lets me focus on one side of my brain at a time, sharply reducing overwhelm and boosting output.

Strategy Four: Environmental Cues to Trigger Focus

Never underestimate the power of environmental cues. For me, something as simple as wearing gym shoes around the house signals to my subconscious that it’s time to move and be active. Likewise, physically entering my office shifts my mindset into “work mode.” These small habit anchors trick my brain into alignment and have been game-changers for breaking up inertia.

Strategy Five: Leveraging Tech and AI Tools

Finally, I lean hard on AI and digital tools. Tools like Asana organize my to-do list with reminders, while Google Calendar manages my ever-growing schedule (if it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t exist in my world!). I even use an AI notetaker in Zoom meetings to automatically organize takeaways and action items.

And for content creation itself, my favorite hack is GPTease for scripting, content planning, SEO, and writing captions. Automating repetitive tasks makes getting started less of a struggle, freeing up my bandwidth for the creative and strategic work that matters most.

Neurodiversity as a Creative Superpower

Having ADHD isn’t a barrier to success as a creator. It’s just a different operating manual. With the right strategies and support, our neurospicy brains are primed for creative flow, spontaneity, and business momentum. The key is finding what tools, hacks, and systems work for you and giving yourself the grace to adapt and evolve along the way.

So if any of these tips resonate, give them a try! And if you’ve got your own neurodivergent productivity hacks, share them. I’m always learning, and so is our community. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and with a little creativity and structure, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

PS: If you’re ready for more creator-first strategies, subscribe and join our CEO Society for daily coworking, resources, and all things adult creator-business. Your brain is your secret weapon; let’s harness it together!