I was reading an article the other day about ADHD from the magazine, SELF. The author, Isabelle Carroll, offered a really great suggestion that applies to all of us, not just those with ADHD. She recommended scheduling a “should-less” day each week. I was intrigued, what is a “should-less” day?

Carroll says this about her “should-less” days, “It’s a great way to recharge my batteries. It doesn’t mean I don’t do anything, but it removes the stress of having anything hanging over me.” On these days she doesn’t really schedule anything, she lets her intuition guide her—should she sleep in, or read a book, or take a walk? It all depends on how she feels. It’s a scheduled day where she doesn’t need to be hyper-vigilant, or meet a schedule, or risk letting someone down—it’s a day off from the daily grind. Doesn’t that sound blissful?

Maybe we don’t start with a full day of “should-less,” but we can certainly start with a half-day, right? Some of you are saying, “I can’t do this! I have a job!” I get that, but don’t shut down the opportunity to give your brain a rest. Ask yourself this question, “If I could do it, what would it look like, and when would I do it?” It could be any day to start, and outside of your work commitments, don’t schedule anything else. Let the day unfold and take each free moment as an opportunity to listen to your soul—does it really want to run? Or is it calling for some self-care? Slowing down long enough to listen to our real needs, versus what we’ve scheduled, is not only important, it’s smart!

Let’s GO! WE GOT THIS!
Beth