ADHD hyperfocus isn't free

WOW… this community doubled overnight. If you’re new here, welcome! And if you’ve been around since day one, welcome back.

My goal is simple: to make you feel seen and heard as an ADHD high-achiever 🙏

Speaking of being seen, picture this: 36 hours into a hyperfocus bender. Cold brew in hand, Spotify on repeat, and an absolutely unrealistic to-do list. Spoiler. I crashed. Hard.

This wasn’t my first hyperfocus marathon, and it won’t be my last. But this time, it hit me—I keep forgetting that recovery is not optional.

So, today is all about rest.

Your brain needs REST 💤 

If you’ve ever burned out after a hyperproductive sprint, you know the recovery stage isn’t a luxury—it’s survival.

Here’s how to work with your brain instead of against it:

• 🗺️ Design your “after” plan. When planning a big task or project, add a recovery block to your calendar (read, walk, or touch grass).

• 🧠 Respect your brain’s bandwidth. Know that after intense focus, you’ll likely feel fuzzy. Use this time for activities requiring zero executive function.

• 👂️ Listen to your body. If you're craving sleep or downtime, lean into it. Recovery is sacred, not a sign of weakness.

How to hack your ADHD productivity cycle

Ever ride the hyperfocus rollercoaster—unstoppable one moment, then completely wiped out the next? 🎢 

Let’s talk about the missing piece in your productivity cycle.

ADHD brains don’t operate on a straight line of consistent output. We’re all about the peaks (hyperfocus marathons) and valleys (the inevitable crashes). The key to thriving isn’t avoiding these phases—it’s learning to work with them.

What’s really happening?

• Focus isn’t free. When you’re “in the zone,” your brain burns through energy reserves faster than you think. It’s complete dopamine depletion.

• Recovery is fuel. After big bursts of focus, your brain needs space to recharge. Skipping this step? That’s a fast track to burnout.

Why the cycle matters: A true productivity cycle isn’t just about squeezing work into the “on” phases. It’s about recognizing the natural rhythm of ADHD brains.

• Prep for the peaks. Before diving into high-focus tasks, set clear goals and boundaries. Know what “done” looks like to avoid spiraling into overwork.

• Recover to reset. Treat recovery as part of the plan, not an afterthought. It’s how you refill your tank so you can hit the next peak.

tl;dr: Resting isn’t lazy 🙏 

That’s a wrap! Give yourself the rest you deserve today. Maybe clock out 10 min early and take a power nap! I won’t tell your boss 😉 

Made it this far? Here’s your small win for today: 🏆

—Eugene (ADHDfounder) ✨