Time management has always been a significant challenge for me. I’m consistently late and have yet to fully complete a to-do list. Tasks that would take others an hour take me three. I often laugh it off as a personality quirk, but inwardly I feel inadequate and somewhat broken. Recently I discovered a term for the struggle I’ve been facing: time blindness, which is the inability to accurately judge the passage of time. Time blindness is closely linked with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and although it is not an official clinical term, it presents a real challenge for individuals within the neurodivergent community.
According to experts like psychiatrist Sasha Hamdani, MD, time blindness is merely a way to describe how individuals with ADHD relate to time or struggle to perceive its passage. People with ADHD may experience time differently, such as feeling that a minute is an hour or vice versa. This subjective experience of time is intensified by difficulties in attention regulation, leading to time blindness. For example, hyperfocusing can cause individuals to lose track of time, while hopping from one task to another makes it challenging to accurately estimate time.
In addition to experiencing time differently, individuals with ADHD are also prone to time optimism, overestimating how much they can accomplish within a given timeframe and putting off tasks until the last minute. These struggles often lead to difficulties with time management, procrastination, and a feeling of disconnect with time.
Recognizing time blindness is essential for effectively managing it. Signs of time blindness include running late, feeling out of sync with time, underestimating or overestimating the time needed for tasks, and procrastinating. These struggles can impact every aspect of daily life, from work to personal relationships.
To help manage time blindness, consider implementing the following tips:
1. Make time visible by using clocks and timers to create a better sense of the passage of time.
2. Use visual aids and reminders to stay on track with time-sensitive tasks.
3. Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to improve time estimation.
4. Set realistic deadlines and allocate specific blocks of time for tasks to avoid overcommitting.
5. Create a structured routine and minimize distractions to improve focus and time management.
6. Utilize tools and technology, such as time management apps, to stay organized and on track.
7. Seek support from professionals, such as ADHD coaches or psychiatrists, to develop effective time management strategies.
8. Practice self-compassion and patience, understanding that managing time blindness is a process that requires ongoing effort and understanding.
