Reddit discusses ADHD time blindness and which planner apps actually help. The neuroscience behind why some brains need visual time representation.
Last updated: January 2025. This page summarizes Reddit discussions about time blindness, ADHD, and visual planning tools. Based on threads from r/ADHD, r/productivity, and related communities.
Time blindness is linked to the workings of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that manages executive functions - the higher-level cognitive skills needed to control impulses, pay attention, and complete goal-oriented tasks. Research shows that lower activity levels in these brain regions contribute to poorer time perception.
According to clinical research discussed on Reddit, time blindness is a critical executive function deficit in adults with ADHD. It's not about being lazy or careless - it's a genuine neurological difference in how time is perceived and estimated.
5 minutes and 2 hours can feel identical. There's no internal sense of time passing without external cues.
Chronically underestimating how long things take. "Getting ready" feels like 10 minutes but takes 45.
Starting a task at 2pm, looking up, and it's suddenly 8pm. Where did the time go?
A deadline 2 weeks away feels the same as one 2 months away - both are "later."
Asked "how long will this take?" feels impossible. Could be 20 minutes, could be 3 hours.
Time exists in only two states: right now, and some vague future that doesn't feel urgent.
According to studies on ADHD and executive functioning (Antshel et al., 2010; Schweitzer et al., 2006), externalizing time - using planners, visual timers, alarms, or structured routines - can make a significant difference. Strategies that provide clear, external markers of time help bridge the gap between perception and reality, reducing the cognitive load required to track time internally.
According to clinical guidance on ADHD-friendly calendars, traditional text-heavy planners can feel overwhelming and abstract, but visual methods make time tangible. Visual planning addresses common ADHD challenges like time blindness and difficulty with executive functioning.
How a visual timeline represents your day (color-coded by life area):
vs. a text list: "9am meeting, 10am gym, 11am study, 12pm work, 5pm dinner, 7pm games" - which feels more real?
Reddit consensus: The visual timeline with color-coded life areas helps users "see" their day instead of reading a list. The Purpose Wheel adds life balance awareness.
Reddit consensus: Designed specifically for ADHD and autism. Won iPhone App of the Year 2025. Very visual approach.
Reddit consensus: Clean timeline view, good for seeing your day. Simple and focused.
Reddit consensus: The gold standard for visual countdown timers. The shrinking red disc is immediately understood.
| Feature | Funtasking | Tiimo | Structured | Todoist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual timeline view | Yes (color-coded) | Yes (icons) | Yes (minimal) | No (list only) |
| Time becomes visible | Colored blocks | Visual routines | Timeline | Text times |
| Life area tracking | 8 areas | No | No | No |
| Time tracking | 15min = 1 coin | Duration based | Manual | No |
| Prep time reminders | Manual blocks | Yes | No | No |
| ADHD-specific design | Yes | Yes | Partial | No |
Answer: Regular calendars show you WHEN things happen, but not HOW LONG or the GAPS between. For time-blind brains, seeing "Meeting at 2pm" doesn't convey that there are only 30 minutes between your current task and that meeting. Visual timelines show the space that time occupies.
Answer: Alarms help with specific moments but don't address ongoing time awareness. You might set an alarm for 1pm, but without visual cues, you still won't know if it's 12:45 or 11:30. Visual planners provide continuous awareness, not just point-in-time alerts.
Answer: Track it. Apps that log time spent (like Funtasking's 15min = 1 coin system) help you build a database of how long things actually take vs. how long you think they take. Over time, you develop better intuition based on data, not guessing.
Research answer: According to studies on ADHD planners, traditional text-heavy planners feel overwhelming and abstract for ADHD brains. Colour-coded sections and clear headings help reduce distractions and improve recall. Visual elements are processed differently than text.
Many Reddit users recommend combining a visual countdown timer (Time Timer) with a visual planner app. The timer shows "now" time passing; the planner shows "day" time layout.
ADHD-friendly planning means adding transition time between activities. If you think something takes 30 minutes, schedule 45. Visual planners make this easier to see and maintain.
Colour-coded sections improve recall for ADHD brains. Seeing a block of purple (work) vs. green (health) vs. orange (play) creates instant visual recognition without reading.
Track where time actually goes, not just planned activities. Funtasking's Purpose Wheel shows patterns over weeks - you might discover you're spending zero time on "Mind" or "Play" categories.
According to research, ADHD planners provide an external system for managing responsibilities, which lowers stress. Don't try to remember time internally - externalize it completely.
See your day as colored blocks by life area. Make time visible and tangible. Track where your time actually goes with the Purpose Wheel.
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