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ADHD and Creativity: The Superpower (and Struggle) We Have to Talk About

  • Writer: Caitlin Kindred
    Caitlin Kindred
  • Jul 6
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 13

Another day in my (our) ADHD reality...

Ever started researching birds and ended up deep-diving into Chris Evans’ filmography? That’s your ADHD brain flexing its divergent thinking—one of three creativity superpowers we’ll unpack today. (FYI: There’s a reason you’re the MacGyver of your friend group.)

A vibrant lightbulb with creative icons on a blue background. Text: ADHD and Creativity: The Superpower (and Struggle) We Have to Talk About.

Key Takeaways From These Episodes

  • The 3 ADHD Creativity Superpowers

    • Divergent thinking (how you leap from birds to Chris Evans in one convo).

    • MacGyver-mode: Using paperclips for everything but paperwork.

    • Inventing truly new solutions (not just recycling old ones).

  • Why Hyperfocus = Your Secret Weapon

    • How falling down hobby rabbit holes makes you weirdly skilled.


Listen to the Episode Here

Part 1


Part 2


Part 1: The ADHD Creativity Advantage

As my friend Anne (known affectionately as Friend Anne in our house) says, "ADHD is a superpower." And one of those areas of kick-a**ery is creativity.


While there isn’t a ton of research on ADHD and creativity, there is a lot of research on creativity and creative thinking.


Creative thinking includes:

  • Divergent thinking

  • Conceptual expansion

  • Overcoming knowledge constraints


And the little bit of research on ADHD and creativity we do have shows that these creative thinking elements are strengths in people with ADHD.


1. Divergent Thinking

  • What it is: Brainstorming 50 ideas from one topic (how a chat about birds becomes a debate about Pedro Pascal’s best role).

  • Why ADHD excels: Rapid associative leaps = unexpected connections.

  • Real-life example: “How did we get here?” convos with ADHD friends.


2. Conceptual Expansion

  • What it is: Using a paperclip to eject an SD card (aka MacGyver mode).

  • Why ADHD excels: Default “outside-the-box” wiring.

  • Q for you, dear reader: When did you last MacGyver something?


3. Overcoming Knowledge Constraints

  • What it is: Inventing a completely new way to hold paper together (while NTs tweak existing tools).

  • Science bit: 2021 study on ADHD and novel problem-solving.


Bonus Strengths

  • Wide lens of attention: Seeing Hamilton and immediately grasping how lighting + choreography + lyrics tell the story.

  • Hyperfocus + dopamine: Falling down pottery YouTube holes until you’re weirdly good at making mug handles.

  • Risk-taking: “Sure, let’s see what happens” = creative experiments.


Part 2: When Creativity Feels Hard (and How to Fix It)

The ADHD Paradox

As with anything, too much of any good thing turns into a bad thing. For example...

  • Strength: Chaotic brainstorming → Impairment: Chaotic workspace stifles output.

  • Strength: 2AM hyperfocus → Impairment: 8AM school run disaster.


5 Strategies That Actually Work

Sometimes, the creativity juices that you use to recharge (or, you know, make a living) just aren't flowing. Here are some proven strategies to help you get back on track.


  1. Flexible Workspaces

    • ADHD hack: Use “stimulation stations”—standing desk + window view + brown noise.

  2. Creative Cross-Training

    • Example: If you write novels, paint bad watercolors to reset.

  3. Embrace Cycles

    • Truth: Your “distracted” phases are part of the process.

  4. Break Projects Into 'Dopamine Cookies'

    • Pottery example: “Step 1: Wedge clay” vs. “Make perfect vase.”

  5. Brain Dump First

    • Author tip: Plot like a pantser, draft like a plotter.

  6. Body Doubling

    • Try: Discord writing sprints or literal craft circles.


Key Takeaways

  • Your ADHD brain is a creativity powerhouse—but without structure, it’s like a firehose with no nozzle.

  • Pair strengths with systems: Divergent thinking + brain dumps = magic.

  • Creativity isn’t just art—it’s how you solve daily problems (yes, even the everyday rage).


Which creativity superpower do you relate to? Tag us with your best MacGyver moment!


Sources for this episode


Who We Are

Caitlin Kindred: ADHD mom who once turned a cereal box and a paperclip into a Wi-Fi extender (it worked for 5 seconds).

Ariella Monti: The friend who documents your chaos and says “that’s genius, actually.”


Loved this post? Listen and subscribe today so you'll never miss an episode!

Make good choices,

Caitlin



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