how to journal when you have ADHD -- and why morning pages miiiight be a scam🤔

🎧 EPISODE #3🗓 Originally published : Feb 18, 2024 | YouTube⏱️ Runtime: ~18 mins🎙 Hosted by Danielle ColadaHey Girlies!Today we’re examing the potentially pointless things we’ve shoved into our “productive” morning routines, specifically JOURNALING! Do I believe journaling is an excellent tool to have in your back pocket to whip out as needed? ABSOLUTELY! Do I think it’s something you need to force yourself to do every single morning just because your favorite productivty girlie on YouTube pretends she does it everyday while enjoying her perfectly aesthetic morning latte? ABOLUTELY NOT. Essentially, find out what works FOR YOU and don’t be afraid to think outside the box… even if the “journaling” ritual you come up with doesn’t end up looking like everyone elses!And, if you have ADHD, you just might wanna give my voice-journaling practice a try!All this and more this week on “Diary of a Mid-30s Girlie,” the official podcast for the last b*tch in her friend group to get her sh*t together! So let’s dive in! love you and AS ALWAYS, see you in the comments😘 💖,D🔎 find me on other socials if you want @daniellecolada⏱ TIMESTAMPS + TAKEAWAYS00:00 – Journaling: Advil vs. Vitamin💊 Journaling should be used as needed to process emotion, not forced into your morning routine out of guilt or obligation.00:51 – Journaling becomes pointless when you’re just trying to keep up a streak🧠 If you're not emotionally activated, there’s often nothing worth writing. ADHD brains hate pointless busywork.02:20 – The 3-page myth & why it made things worse✍️ The popular idea of stream-of-consciousness journaling (like The Artist's Way) isn’t helpful if it becomes performative.03:40 – What journaling is good for🌀 Use journaling when emotions hit, not on a fixed schedule. Emotional processing > streak maintenance.05:00 – Emotions are rarely on a timer💡 For ADHD brains, timing matters. Self-reflection hits hardest in the moment — not when you’re trying to squeeze it into a checklist.06:00 – The best productivity advice? Do less.🧘‍♀️ Simplicity creates energy. A three-hour morning routine might feel productive, but it can actually leave you drained before your day even starts.07:10 – Danielle’s minimalist morning routine🌅 No fluff. No chaos. Just flow.08:10 – Journaling didn’t serve her goals🔍 Just because it works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s for you. Don’t force what isn’t aligned.08:55 – Danielle’s rule: Leverageism™⚖️ Find the highest impact habit. Don’t stack a dozen low-return tasks just because they look good in a morning vlog.09:45 – The ADHD way to journal: voice notes🎙 Voice notes let you process emotions, talk through decisions, and brain dump in real time — friction-free.10:40 – Danielle’s voice journaling workflow📲 ADHD-friendly, portable, and deeply therapeutic.💡 Pro tip: Use this method while walking for a next-level creative reset.11:57 – A real-life health anxiety story🗣 Sometimes, the person you need to talk to… is you.13:16 – Bonus: Journaling helps content ideas surface📝 Voice journaling can double as idea generation. Just hit record and talk it out.14:00 – Reminder: It doesn’t need to be ‘Dear Diary’🫶 No pressure. No grammar. Just release.15:35 – The big mindset shift💡 But what if you’re allowed to do things your way — even if it looks nothing like a YouTube morning routine?16:45 – Journaling can be anything expressive🎨 The medium doesn’t matter. The processing does.17:10 – Final thought: Stop ‘should-ing’ on yourself💬 You deserve to feel supported by your systems — not shamed by them.🛠 PRACTICAL TIPS FROM THIS EPISODE✅ Use journaling like medicine — only when needed✅ Skip “three pages” if you have nothing to say✅ Voice note your spirals, wins, decisions, and doubts✅ Set up frictionless tools (like one-tap widgets or dictate apps)✅ Walk and talk your ideas into existence✅ Edit later — just capture in the moment✅ Redefine journaling in a way that works for you💬 PROMPT FOR LISTENERSHow do you naturally process your emotions and thoughts?Is there a way to make it even easier or more aligned? Get full access to It Girls Never Die at daniellecolada.substack.com/subscribe