We ask three neurodivergent creatives about how they plan and stay organised using their Friend notebooks.GEORGIA FIELDS
Musician, Naarm/Melbourne
I am an art-pop musician and singer-songwriter. I am also Autistic and the mum of two rad kidlets!

What sparks your creativity? Sense and story. I am often inspired by something on a textural/sensory level, or because I feel there is a story in there to tell.

How do you like to plan or organise your work? Everything has to be written down. To understand something, I need to see it visually.

Do you use any strategies or tools to suit your neurodivergent brain? I use a lot of timers and alarms to support my monotropic mind. Hyperfocus can be a strength but it can also be disabling if I forget to eat, drink water, or go to the toilet (believe me)!

How do you use your Creator’s Friend notebook? The Weekly Dashboard is my best friend! My Autistic mind loves to compartmentalise things, so having a two-page spread that includes sections for family stuff, research, music work, and even meal planning helps me ‘see’ it all at once.TIARA SWAIN
Writer, Djilang/Geelong
I’m a freelance writer and mum. I live with anxiety and OCD, and while it’s not always visible, it’s something I navigate every day. Writing has always been my outlet and a way to make sense of it all.

What sparks your creativity? Travelling, seeing new places, gardening, watching films, listening to music, and dancing (in the living room).

Do you use any strategies or tools to suit your neurodivergent brain? Journaling and planning my day the night before, keeping a running list of to-dos and story ideas, and prioritising my work in order of importance. I can easily get stuck in decision paralysis, so having a clear plan helps me stay grounded and focused.

How do you use your Creator’s Friend notebook? I’m a big fan of the Fast Brain Daily Planner and the Running List pages. I love being able to dump all my ideas out first and then come back to organise them. I also like dividing my pages into sections for work and family. It’s nice knowing there’s no wrong way to use it!BRI HAMMOND
Photographer, Tarntanya/Adelaide
I’m a photographer, artist and mum. I got an ADHD diagnosis earlier this year and was genuinely thrilled to have an explanation for why I’ve always felt a little different in the way I function.

What sparks your creativity? Space and play. Making time to experiment with ideas, collaborate with others and to play with no fixed output.

Do you use any strategies or tools to suit your neurodivergent brain? An ongoing separate list in another journal is where I jot down ideas for new projects. Otherwise my weekly dashboard journal gets overwhelming. It’s also a great place to write down anything that pops into my head while listening to a podcast – rather than stopping work to open yet another browser tab!

How do you use your Creator’s Friend notebook? I particularly need structure, repetition and rules, so the weekly dashboard is great for me. At the start of a week I’ll check the future planner to see what I have scheduled, and plan the days accordingly. It helps me stay focused and prioritise what’s needed.

This article was put together in partnership with Creator’s Friend, a company started by a neurodivergent person creating planners and notebooks designed specifically for neurodivergent brains. Find your match here: creatorsfriend.com.au