{"id":10336,"date":"2025-10-09T12:14:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T16:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/?p=10336"},"modified":"2025-10-23T07:27:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T11:27:36","slug":"the-complete-guide-to-managing-your-email-for-adhd-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/the-complete-guide-to-managing-your-email-for-adhd-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build a Better Email Routine with ADHD (Part 2 of 3)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(Link to Part 3 at the bottom of the post)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you read Part 1 of this series<\/a>, you know the first step to managing email is setting aside time to process it and scheduling a separate time to deal with any backlog. That foundation matters. If you haven\u2019t read it yet, I suggest you go back and start there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now it\u2019s time to build on that foundation. In this next step, you\u2019ll figure out how much time you actually need to stay current, when to process your inbox, and how to make faster, clearer decisions about what to do with each message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not suggesting you\u2019ll ever love managing email. But it can become more manageable, more predictable, and far less stressful once you have a process that works for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Step 3 \u2013 How to Estimate the Time You Need to Manage Email with ADHD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As an adult with ADHD, you may, like many others, have a wonky sense of time. Sometimes this is referred to as time blindness,<\/strong> and for you may include challenges related to estimating time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If estimating how long tasks take is one of your challenges, you may have no idea yet how much time you need to process your email each day to keep on top of it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you can figure this out<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First,<\/strong> estimate how much time you think it will take. If you are really unsure, a good starting point is to set aside 2-3 x 30-minute blocks each day. But if you have a role that has a higher volume of email, try 2-4 blocks of 30-60 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then<\/strong> set a timer<\/strong> each time you process your email each day for the next 1 week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjust<\/strong> your estimate as you discover how much time it actually takes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Step 4 \u2013 When Is the Best Time to Check and Process Email with ADHD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your inbox is likely growing exponentially because you are trying to handle your email on the go between your \u201creal work.\u201d Consequently, many of your emails<\/strong> languish, unread and unresolved, in your inbox<\/strong>, creating mental clutter and, yes, stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the keys to this challenge is to treat processing email as a discrete task that needs your attention and focus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to do this is to choose 1-4 times <\/strong>during the day when you will dedicate tim<\/strong>e to do the upfront thinking<\/strong> necessary to decide what to do with each<\/strong> email<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when you inevitably encounter friction with honoring this time, because it is just not an intrinsically interesting task, refer back to the reasons (noted above) that you might want to stay on top of your email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you might remind yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I want to maintain good lines of communication, and being consistent with my email is one way to do this. So, I want to make tending to my email a core part of my workday.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Step 5 \u2013 How to Decide What to Do with Each Email When You Have ADHD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The next step is developing a process for deciding what to do with each email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you are not making these decisions because you just aren\u2019t putting aside enough time, but you do know how to make the decisions. See above for what to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, if you aren\u2019t making these decisions now, it may be because of your ADHD related challenges<\/strong> with making decisions, organizing and perhaps managing your emotions. This section is for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have a process and practice using it, you will build confidence in your ability to manage your email consistently. Promise!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That confidence will help you procrastinate less, and you may find you are pulled to do it more often after you experience the visceral reward (see reasons above) that will come from tending to your email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let\u2019s look at the specific techniques you can use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to Handle Emails That Need a Response with ADHD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you process your email, each message falls somewhere on a continuum, from quick and simple to complex and time-consuming. Recognizing where an email fits helps you decide whether to act now, later, or through another medium entirely<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Answer Those Emails That Will Take 2 Minutes or Less<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Why it\u2019s hard:<\/strong>
Time blindness makes two minutes slippery. Novelty and urgency can pull you into a lengthy reply or tackling other emails you did not plan on you did not plan. Cherry-picking quick emails feels productive, then bigger ones pile up and feel heavier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n