🗂️ How to Use Notion Without Getting Lost in It

Notion is powerful. Customisable. Aesthetically pleasing. And also—completely overwhelming if your brain is already juggling 97 tabs, 6 snack urges, and one existential crisis. 🍿🧠💥

This isn’t your average Notion tutorial. This is a survival guide for ADHD brains who want to use Notion to function, not spiral into an endless loop of dashboards, pages, and Pinterest-level perfectionism.

🧩 Why Notion Can Be a Blessing and a Curse

  • You can build anything—but that means no built-in structure.
  • Infinite nesting = infinite distraction.
  • Toggling between views? Great. Also: paralysis.

ADHD brains crave flexibility and simplicity. Notion offers both—if you set it up like a tool, not a trap.

💡 Notion Tricks Most People Don’t Know (But You Need to)

1. Use the “Now Page” System

Create a single page called NOW. Every other dashboard links here. This is your brain’s front door.

Use it for:

  • Daily task list
  • Quick links to current projects
  • Only what matters today

2. Add “Decision-Free Buttons”

Turn page headers into action buttons like:

  • ✍️ “Capture this idea” → opens your quick notes
  • 📌 “Focus mode” → takes you to a clean timer page
  • 🧼 “Reset” → goes to your weekly reset list

Bonus: use emojis as visual anchors for speed-scanning.

3. Use the Toggle Database Trick

Put databases inside toggles to reduce visual clutter. If it’s not relevant right now, it stays closed.

Your brain gets to breathe.

4. Make a “Lost & Found” Page

A dumping ground for everything. No rules. No judgment. Just a place to paste, clip, or toss whatever your brain grabs.

Return later. Sort in batches. Or don’t. It’s still better than 400 open tabs.

5. Theme Your Days—Inside Notion

Set up a weekly spread where each day has a purpose:

  • Monday = Admin
  • Tuesday = Deep Work
  • Wednesday = Calls, etc.

Put relevant links/tasks in that day’s toggle. It reduces mental switching.

🛠️ Real-Life Setups for Real-Life ADHD Brains

  • 📆 Dashboard View: Keep one clean calendar, not 3 overlapping ones.
  • 🧠 Second Brain: One master notes database + filtered views by tag (e.g. Ideas, Resources, Deadlines)
  • ✅ Mini To-Do’s: Break big tasks into tiny checkbox chunks. You’ll feel like you’re winning all day.
  • 🧺 Chore Board: Add a progress bar or checklists to daily home stuff. Gamify it.

💛 You Don’t Need a Perfect System. You Need One You’ll Actually Use.

Notion isn’t about making your brain fit into a box. It’s about building a soft little nest around how your brain already works.

So give yourself permission to keep it messy-functional.

Done is better than beautiful. Use it your way.

📌 Coming Soon on Upliria:

🏠 ADHD-Friendly Routines for Working from Home
✅ The ADHD Checklist: Signs, Struggles & Strengths
❌ How to Say No Without Spiralling

Build systems that love your brain back. That’s the whole point. 🗂️

Brain dump below 🧠