If you looked at my phone, you might think something was wrong.

There are alarms for waking up. Alarms for medication. Alarms for feeding the dogs. Alarms for putting the washing on. Alarms reminding me to leave the house. Alarms reminding me that I need to wash my hair.

There are even alarms at work reminding me about timed tasks, making sure windows are closed, heaters are turned off, and that important things don’t slip through the cracks.

At this point, alarms aren’t something I occasionally use.

They’re how I function.

For years, I felt embarrassed about relying on reminders so much. It seemed like everyone else could just remember things naturally while I needed my phone constantly telling me what to do.

But the older I’ve got, the more I’ve realised something important:

My alarms aren’t a weakness. They’re part of my support system.

My ADHD Brain Doesn’t Hold Information The Same Way

One of the biggest challenges of ADHD isn’t forgetting things.

It’s trying to hold too many things in your head at once.

As mums, we’re already juggling school schedules, work responsibilities, household tasks, appointments, birthdays, shopping lists, medications, family needs, and everything else that comes with keeping life running.

Add ADHD into the mix, and sometimes it feels like your brain is trying to manage fifty tabs at the same time.

The problem isn’t that we don’t care.

The problem is that our brains aren’t designed to store every tiny task indefinitely.

That’s where alarms come in.

Instead of using my brain as storage, I use my phone.

The Alarm That Changed Everything

One of the simplest alarms I have is also one of the most important.

Five minutes before I need to leave.

That’s it.

It sounds ridiculously simple, but without it I can lose track of time while finishing one last task, replying to one more email, tidying one more thing, or convincing myself I have loads of time left.

Then suddenly I’m rushing around the house trying to find my keys.

The five-minute warning gives me time to transition.

And if you have ADHD, you’ll know transitions are often the hardest part.

The Alarms I Use Every Day

My phone basically acts as my second brain.

Some of my regular reminders include:

  • Wake up
  • Morning medication
  • Feed the dogs
  • Put the washing on
  • Leave for work
  • Work breaks
  • Timed work responsibilities
  • Turn the heating off
  • Evening medication
  • Hair wash days
  • Random tasks I’ll definitely forget otherwise

It probably sounds excessive to some people.

To me, it’s freedom.

Because every task stored in my phone is one less thing I have to mentally carry around all day.

Why I Stopped Feeling Guilty About It

For a long time, I thought needing reminders meant I wasn’t organised.

Now I see it differently.

People use calendars.

People write shopping lists.

People set timers when cooking.

People use sat navs instead of memorising routes.

Nobody questions those tools.

My alarms are exactly the same thing.

They’re simply tools that support the way my brain works.

I’ve stopped trying to force myself to remember everything.

Instead, I’ve built systems that make life easier.

And honestly?

Life feels far less stressful because of it.

Creating External Memory

One thing I’ve learned about ADHD is that external systems matter.

The less information I have to keep in my head, the more mental energy I have for the things that actually matter.

That’s why I use:

  • Alarms
  • Calendars
  • Planners
  • Checklists
  • Sticky notes
  • Written routines

I don’t use these tools because I’m organised.

I use them because I’m not.

And that’s okay.

The goal isn’t to have a perfect memory.

The goal is to create a life that works for you.

If You Struggle to Remember Things Too

If you’re constantly forgetting appointments, tasks, medications, birthdays, or everyday jobs, I want you to know something.

You don’t have to do everything the hard way.

Use the reminder.

Set the alarm.

Write the list.

Create the checklist.

Build the support system.

The right tools don’t make you less capable.

They help you use your energy where it matters most.

Final Thoughts

These days, my phone spends most of its time reminding me about something.

And honestly?

I’m completely okay with that.

Because every alarm is one less thing for my ADHD brain to hold onto.

It’s not cheating.

It’s not laziness.

It’s not a weakness.

It’s simply a system that helps me get through everyday life.

And sometimes that’s exactly what we need.

Looking for More Support?

The free library is a great place to start, but if you’d like access to the full collection of planners, business tools, templates and printables, you can join the Simply Sasha membership for £3.99 per month.

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