About my struggles
Oh boy, this year I’ve been trying to let go of the constant guilt around productivity. Last year, I was diagnosed with ADHD, and honestly, it made so much sense. I’m someone who hyper fixates on things and immediately wants to be perfect at everything I try. I constantly feel like I could be doing more — and that feeling can be exhausting.
I realized this quickly after hitting multiple burnout points while running my nail business. I struggled to find balance between work, home, and everything in between. I’m the type who likes to go all in — I want to get everything done immediately if I can. Combine that with being a perfectionist, and you’ve got a recipe for overwhelm.
If you’re like me and feel the pressure to do everything all at once, but it’s just too much, here are some little things I’ve changed this year that have made a difference:
From To-Do Lists to “What I’ve Done” Lists
I used to wonder why to-do lists never worked for me — turns out, they were just too overwhelming. Having a list of 20 things sounds great, but life doesn’t work that way, especially when you want to do everything right now. I’d start one project, get distracted by three others, and suddenly have half-finished tasks all over the place. That felt way more overwhelming than looking at my to-do list.
Then one of my nail clients mentioned she writes down what she did each day — even small things like waking up, doing laundry, showering, or getting ready. Those are accomplishments too! This “what I’ve done” list helped me appreciate the little things, especially on days when I struggled with depression or motivation. Self-care, for example, can feel like a big achievement when you finally do it.
Hobbies Instead of Scrolling
I grew up with a phone in my hand, and scrolling has been second nature for over a decade. It was something I really struggled to change. But in August 2024, I decided to pivot. Instead of endless scrolling, I started doing puzzles. Puzzles became a new hyperfixation — but a healthy one. I’d put on a TV show or podcast and either do a puzzle alone or with friends. It’s brain-stimulating in a good way, unlike the rapid-fire videos of TikTok that jump from one topic to another.
Watching those quick clips — one about the state of the US, then a makeup tutorial, then someone going viral — didn’t feel harmful at first. But I noticed how scattered my brain felt afterward. Studies actually show puzzles can improve quality of life by reducing memory loss and boosting thinking skills.
Books
Before moving to Philadelphia, I felt overwhelmed almost constantly. With my boyfriend heading back to school and so many unknowns about our relationship and finances, I found comfort in books. I’d come home from work and dive into my Kindle, sometimes reading huge 500-page books straight through. While I don’t recommend reading that much all at once, it was better than doom scrolling. Books helped me escape stress and relate to characters’ struggles, which sometimes mirrored my own.
Coloring
As a perfectionist and artist, making art can sometimes feel like work. Coloring books, on the other hand, are my favorite way to relax. They’re mindless — you just color inside the lines (and sometimes that’s overwhelming enough). Choosing colors and filling in pages is such a simple, easy way to unwind and enjoy free time without pressure.
I still have a lot to work on, and I definitely catch myself scrolling more than I’d like. But these little changes have helped me start to break old patterns and take a breath. I know a lot of people feel like their brains are rotting from endless scrolling, but exercising your brain in new ways — through puzzles, books, or even coloring — can make you feel more productive and peaceful.
If you have any advice on how you stop scrolling or manage your time better, I’d love to hear it!