I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD

Episode 343: ADHD in Relationships: From Frustration to Teamwork

Feb 23, 2026
They unpack common relationship friction caused by executive dysfunction, time blindness, working memory gaps, emotional flooding, and hyperfocus. Practical workarounds like external memory systems, timers, signals, and break-it-down strategies are highlighted. A four-step teamwork framework and communication scripts aim to move interactions from blame to collaboration.
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INSIGHT

Both Partners Want The Same Outcome

  • Both partners usually want the same outcome: connection, understanding, and a working relationship.
  • Paula explains this using a puzzle metaphor: each person has half the pieces and they need to combine perspectives to see the whole problem.
ADVICE

Break Tasks Into Steps And Divide Roles

  • Break down perpetually postponed tasks into tiny concrete steps and collaborate on which part each person will do.
  • Paula suggests body doubling, dividing prep vs call (she preps, partner dials), and co-regulation to remove initiation friction.
ANECDOTE

Paula's Phone Call Workaround With Her Husband

  • Paula shares her workaround for phone anxiety: she does the research and writes questions, her husband makes the call.
  • Dividing prep and execution based on strengths led to many more calls actually happening.
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