Jan 25
This week’s podcast is all about the Apple Watch and how I use it to manage my ADHD brain. I didn’t want an Apple Watch. I don’t want to wear anything that everyone else is wearing. That said, once I did, I realized just how valuable it could be to manage my ADHD brain. I feel more in control, less worried about things falling through the cracks, and more organized than I’ve ever felt.
My whole goal has been to build structures around myself to shore up my weaknesses so I can focus on my strengths. I have basically uploaded my working memory to the Apple Watch.
When I first got the watch, I was totally overwhelmed. I looked everywhere for videos and blog posts, about how to use the Apple Watch to shore up the ADHD brain. I couldn’t find anything, so I’ve wanted to do this podcast for a while. That said, this is not an in-depth instruction manual on what the Apple Watch can do. This is just me talking to you about the best, simplest ways I have found to set up and use my Apple watch to build that structure around me that best supports my ADHD brain. This podcast offers practical tips for using the Apple Watch to support individuals with ADHD.
APPLE
SPOTIFY
YOUTUBE
"The Apple Watch isn't just a timepiece, it's my guardian angel against forgetfulness and distraction."
- Tracy Otsuka
"With the Apple Watch, I've turned my struggles into strengths, harnessing its features to combat ADHD's challenges head-on."
- Tracy Otsuka
"For me, the Apple Watch isn't just a gadget, it's a lifeline, providing the scaffolding I need to navigate a world often overwhelming for my ADHD brain."
- Tracy Otsuka
- Tracy discusses how her ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness and disorganization, have impacted her life and work, but also contributed to her creativity and success.
- Tracy describes how her Apple watch helps her stay on schedule and avoid forgetting tasks, but she still struggles with time management and organization.
- Tracy discusses how the Apple Watch has helped her with timers, alarms, and reminders, particularly with her ADHD brain.
[14:00 - 27:13] Apple Watch Features
- Tracy uses a multiple timer app (Timer PLAs) for cooking, setting up individual timers for each item on one page.
- Tracy finds it helpful to customize her watch face with complications like reminders, weather, and news to stay organized and focused.
- Tracy customized her watch face to include a world clock with all time zones, eliminating the need to constantly calculate times for her family members in different locations.
[27:13 - 40:09] Apple Watch Apps for ADHD Management
- Tracy raves about the Apple Watch's ability to export data in various ways, including through the Cheat Sheet app.
- Tracy plans to use Pocket Casts and Audible on her Apple Watch to organize her podcasts and listen to them without needing her phone.
- Tracy discusses her experience with various productivity apps, including the Things app, which she finds visually pleasing and intuitive.
Here are the three additional Apple Watch apps that I mentioned in my podcast. I’m impressed with them thus far, but haven’t used them long enough to include on my list. I’ll report back later.
Pocket Casts: Podcast Player
Audible: Audio Entertainment
Things 3
