The Magical Maybe List
A Neurodivergent Alternative to To-Dos
Some days, the very sight of a traditional to-do list feels like a trap.
Every unchecked box whispers failure. Every item not crossed off becomes another tiny weight.
For many neurodivergent creatives, to-do lists don’t work because they assume we’re operating on linear timelines, predictable energy, and stable executive function.
So what if we made a different kind of list?
Enter: the Magical Maybe List.
What Is a Maybe List?
It’s not a plan.
It’s not a contract.
It’s a gentle invitation - a shimmering cloud of possibilities.
A Maybe List is where you gather things you might do.
Things that would feel good to get done, but that don’t carry the sharp edge of obligation.
They wait for the right moment, not the right mood.
They exist to be chosen, not chased.
Why It Works for Neurodivergent Brains
It removes shame. You can’t “fail” a Maybe.
It creates flexibility for fluctuating energy or attention.
It invites curiosity rather than pressure.
It allows you to prioritise in the moment rather than in advance.
Plus, it acknowledges what’s already true: you probably will do more than you think, just not always what you expected to do.
How to Make One
Pick your scope.
A day? A week? One creative project?List anything you might want to do.
Big or small. Mundane or magical. Include joyful things too.Add gentle guidance if needed.
You can sort into “high-energy / medium energy / low-energy,” “urgent-ish / not urgent,” or “inside / outside,” "peopley/non-peopley," etc.Decorate it if that helps.
This is not a productivity tool - it’s a portal. Let it feel like one.
Example: A Weekly Maybe List
Re-pot the sad lavender
Write a blog post (or two)
Rest without guilt
Email the venue about September's exhibition or performance
Make nettle ink
Update Patreon
Lie on the floor and think about moss
Light the Brighid Flame
Notice how some things feel necessary, others dreamy, others grounding. That’s the point — it’s a constellation, not a staircase.
Try This
This week, replace your to-do list with a Maybe List.
Check in with it each day and see what feels possible — or even inviting.
And remember: every Maybe is a door. You don’t have to walk through all of them.
You just have to know they’re there.
If you want to bring your Maybe list to our weekly Neurodivergent Art Club session, we meet most Thursdays from 2 - 4pm on Zoom, you can drop in late or leave early, bring whatever you are working on and be in good company. Find out more here.
