How I Stay Focused as a Squarespace Designer With ADHD

Practical tactics for beating procrastination and staying creative

As a freelance Squarespace Designer with ADHD, staying focused can feel like a constant battle. But over the years, I’ve figured out a system that works for me — one that turns distraction into momentum, and overwhelm into small wins.

The key? I’ve stopped trying to fight how my brain works and started designing my day around it. Here's how:

Break Big Tasks into Tiny Ones

Large projects can feel paralysing — especially when you're staring at a blank screen. So instead of setting myself one huge task like “Finish website redesign”, I’ll break it down into small, ten-minute jobs:

• Update homepage header

• Add testimonial section

• Check mobile layout

Each completed task gives me a quick dopamine hit — a reward loop that keeps me moving. These micro-wins add up quickly and help me avoid that all-or-nothing thinking.

I Put Every Task in Things

I use an app called Things to manage all my to-dos. It’s beautifully designed, intuitive, and helps me stay organised without feeling overwhelmed. Having a clear, clean list I can check off throughout the day gives me structure — especially when my focus is bouncing between design tasks, emails, and client follow-ups.

I Journal Several Times a Day — But Not Digitally

Alongside my task list, I journal throughout the day. Not in an app — I use a high-quality notebook and a Rotring pen. There’s something tactile and grounding about writing by hand. It slows me down, helps me think clearly, and gives me space to mentally reset. It’s a little creative ritual that brings order to the chaos.

I Watch What I Eat (and Drink)

I avoid caffeine unless I really need it, and I don’t drink alcohol — both can throw off my focus and energy levels. Instead, I’ve found that cocoa-based hot chocolate works wonders. It’s full of magnesium, which helps calm the nervous system and support brain function. I also try to eat a healthy diet and limit processed foods — it makes a noticeable difference in how sharp and stable I feel throughout the day.

Use Music and Podcasts to Stay Tuned In

Silence can be distracting. I often put on a podcast or background music to keep my brain engaged just enough to focus. It creates a gentle rhythm that helps me stay in flow while designing.

Get Outside (Yes, Even Midday)

One of the biggest perks of being a freelance Squarespace Designer is flexibility. I’ll often go for a walk — sometimes just ten minutes, other times an hour or more. I find it resets my brain, sparks creative ideas, and gets me out of the spin of overthinking. I usually take my camera or phone and snap photos along the way. It’s become part creative ritual, part mental reset.

Replace Notifications with Progress

Scrolling Instagram or checking notifications used to be my go-to “mental break.” Now I try to get that same reward by ticking something off my list. Instead of a flood of random input, I get the satisfaction of progress — even if it’s small.

Work When It Feels Right

Being freelance means I can choose when I work. If I hit a slump at 2 p.m., I don’t force it. I’ll take a walk, cook something, or rest — and return when I feel switched on again. Sometimes my most productive bursts as a Squarespace Designer happen in the evening, and that’s okay.

Final Thought

If you're a creative, a freelancer, or a Squarespace Designer like me, dealing with procrastination isn't a flaw — it's a puzzle. And puzzles have solutions. Over time, I’ve learned what energises me, what derails me, and how to work withmy brain instead of against it.

Got your own system for staying focused? I’d love to hear it.