Ah, consistency. That magical unicorn of productivity that everyone swears by. “Just be consistent, and you’ll reach your goals!” they say. Oh, really, Susan? That’s cute. I’ll be sure to mention that to my ADHD brain, which currently has the attention span of a squirrel on energy drinks.

Let’s be real—being consistent is freaking hard. Not because we don’t want to be, but because our brains are about as predictable as a raccoon in a Walmart parking lot. One day, we’re unstoppable productivity machines, checking off tasks like we were built for this. The next day? We’re staring at a wall, wondering if we’ve ever accomplished anything in our lives.

Why Consistency Feels Impossible (Especially for Us ADHD Folks)

1. We Get Bored. Fast.

Our brains crave novelty, which means doing the same thing every day feels like slowly dying inside. Routine? That’s for robots and people who enjoy eating plain oatmeal.

2. Motivation is a Lying Little Gremlin

Ever wake up fully committed to a new habit, only to forget it even exists three days later? That’s because motivation is the flaky friend who hypes you up on Friday night but ghosts you when it’s time to go out.

3. We Overcomplicate Everything

We tell ourselves we need the perfect system before we can start. “I can’t work out until I find the right fitness app, buy a matching gym outfit, and manifest an entirely new personality.” Spoiler: This is just procrastination in disguise.

4. Our Brains Are Allergic to “Should”

The moment something feels like an obligation, we suddenly don’t wanna. We could desperately want to build a habit, but the second it turns into a checklist item, our brain flips the middle finger and goes looking for distractions.

So, How Do We Actually Stick to Things?

1. Trick Your Brain Into Thinking It’s Fun

Make the habit feel less like work and more like something you’d willingly do. Hate working out? Blast an unhinged playlist and dance like an idiot. Need to clean? Set a 5-minute timer and pretend you’re in a speed-cleaning competition.

2. Lower the Freaking Bar

If your goal is to write every day, don’t aim for a novel—start with a sentence. Wanna drink more water? Take one sip. Being consistent isn’t about going big, it’s about showing up (even if it’s barely).

3. Bribe Yourself Shamelessly

Our brains love rewards. Use that to your advantage. Tell yourself, “If I do this thing, I get a treat.” Want to work out? No coffee until after. Need to finish a task? Reward yourself with guilt-free screen time. It’s basically parenting… but for yourself.

4. Accept That You’ll Mess Up

You will break the streak. You will forget. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means you’re a human with a brain that occasionally malfunctions. The trick is to start again—without the guilt spiral.

Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Perfection

Consistency isn’t about never messing up—it’s about coming back. So, instead of beating yourself up for being inconsistent, laugh at the chaos, lower the stakes, and keep showing up (even when you don’t want to). You got this. Now go bribe yourself into productivity. 💪✨