Monday, February 13, 2012

One Good Reason Why You Shouldn’t Procrastinate

I know, I know. The boxes, papers, clothes and dishes are piled sky high. You WANT to take care of it, but it's just impossible to get started. Where do you start? How do you motivate yourself to tackle these endless, boring chores?   ADHD, as I've always said, is not an excuse; it's an explan...
10/10/08 2:03pm

Terry

 

I am so sorry to hear about your knee. I know it must be extremely painful and I wish you the best with your surgery on Monday.

 

As far as the house, it is always last on my list, and I am often glad I am not the type of person that has drop in guests very often.

 

I will be thinking of you on Monday!!!

 

Eileen

10/12/08 7:46am

Hope ur doing better? I know how u feel. My husband is all the time telling me to clean of the computer desk and night stand. I'm bad about paper. There is lots of paper work in my bed room. They past 6 years i've been doing this. 2 times a year my husband will go and tho everything in box or either get so mad that i end up doing it. I"m trying to do better but we'll see how long it last. hope u get better soon. Take it easy and don't worry about ur house i 'm sure ur family and friends know how u are.. U'll get to it soon enought. LOL. Hang in there.

10/15/08 10:36pm

First of all get well soon.  Secondly, I totally understand about boxes and bags of paper work.  My daughter's bedroom was being used for a storage area for years with more boxes being added monthly.  Finally due to desperation my girlfriend, who loves me no matter how sloppy, unorganized and crazy I am, came over several days over several weeks and helped me go through dozens of boxes.  When the school year started I actually continued on my own, more slowly, but continued non-the-less. 

 

I actually got my daughter's bedroom cleaned and she can have company over now, I am less anxious about having people over and I feel I am truly moving forward.  The hardest think for me is letting go of things and getting rid of things.  I am forever saving stuff for later projects that never happen.

 

The social anxiety associated with house clutter and dirt is a real draw back in life.  I used to entertain and enjoyed it.  As I have gotten older and more cluttered (we have lived in our 2 bedroom apartment for 17 years), I have found myself entertaining less and less and actually seeing family and friends less and less.  There is a real connection between Women with ADHD and thier self esteem about socializing in thier home.

 

I have a goal though, finish the boxes that are left in my living room and host the holidays without anxiety.  Here's hoping!

Anonymous
Eruadan
10/30/08 5:23am

This is really scary!  finding someone else who uses one of the kids bedrooms as long term storage.  Since the kids grew up and moved out, my son's room became my computer room (just barely room for the computer), and my daughter's room became the "guest" room.

 

One of my ongoing trials is getting the extra junk out of both rooms so we don't have to step or trip over it anymore.  So, after our son wen't back to LA last week, I moved a bunch of the "need to go thru this" into the other room.  Wouldn't be in anyone's way, there.  Right?

 

Monday, I couldn't get out of bed.  TU morning, I found all the stuff that I'd put onthat bed, sitting on the floor.  My wife had declared me a "biohazard" and vacated the bedroom.  It's WE night (or TH Morning), and I still have a splitting headache, but at least I'm starting to feel somewhat human again. 

 

Where would we be without procrastination?  (Better off?)

10/19/08 12:12pm

I read your story and wondered why were you talking about me!! Wink My fiance is constantly fussing about how our place looks that I called myself labeling and putting things away. I'm still looking for some important papers. Thinking about being in a hospital doesn't make me want to do anymore straightening up, though; it was just making me a little depressed. Here I am commenting on the story and I need to be writing a paper for my class that was due 1:00 a.m this morning.

 

I do feel your pain (I need a knee replacement surgery very soon.)

Anonymous
1stRed
10/23/08 8:37am

 Dont bugger up your knee trying to hide what I'm sure your mother and friend already know about as it could give you another excuse.

 I have never heard myself described so well before I no longer feel unique. I have a lot to do before the pain stops me so this is a short note that quite frankly kept me side tracked for an hour.

 I fully intend to return this evening and complete a full profle to see if there are more of us out there.

 

 Best of luck

            Red

 

Anonymous
Ariane Benefit
10/29/08 3:57pm

Terry, I'm so sorry to hear about your injury!  I can't believe you are lugging boxes and bags around in your condition.  I wish I was there and could help you organize it all!  : )  Get well soon....my thoughts and prayers are with you! 

Anonymous
Anonymous
10/29/08 10:51pm

I know what you mean, this article is just another very recent reminder for me.  One of my best girlfriends was diagnosed with ovarian cancer one week ago and had surgery Monday to remove all of her female parts and as it turned out some of her colon, liver, and diaphragm as well.  She is a very active, vibrant seemingly healthy person who all of the sudden had the rug pulled out from under her.  It definitely made me think differently about how I spend (ie:waste) alot of my time!

 

Gina

Anonymous
sally
10/30/08 3:49pm

Well, well.....sounds all too familiar, just not the knee.

 

Prior to carpal tunnel surgery, I ran around the house like an idiot knowing that whatever wasn't done pre-surgery would not get done post-surgery.

 

So there I was, knowing full well the surgery date and the recovery time, and still didn't get piles sorted, laundry done, etc.  Here I am, 7 weeks post-surgery and I am paying for my procrastination by having to go to occupational therapy 3x week to deal with scar tissue and other (minor) complications, all due to not taking care of the hand afterwards. Which was due to me not getting things done. Etc.

 

All of this could have been avoided by more realistic planning and actually doing what I planned.  I feel like a phony making lists, etc, because I rarely stick with them.

 

Sitting in front of my groaning desk, wishing you good healing and fewer piles!

 

 sally

 

 

 

 

 

Anonymous
Anonymous
10/30/08 4:51pm

I am just beginning this journey I guess. Your article described me completely. I really didnt realize there were other people "out there" like me. I've felt so alone all my life. It feels good to know there are others like me.  I guess my question would be something like now that I've discovered (and it really has dawned on me) that I have ADHD that is affecting me negatively now as an adult, what can I do about it? I'm a single Mom of a special needs daughter (eplilepsy, development delay and ADHD). I work full time and have no support system at all. I have a million things on my mind all the time regarding work and home life. How do you get over (or whatever) the incredible horrible chronic loneliness we ADHD people feel?  How can I fill the void that's been in my life since I can remember? How can I declutter my house and my life and feel successful and better about myself again?? I'm on antidepressant medication and Adderall for the ADHD along with seeing a psychologist about once a month but my life still doesnt seem to be changing. What can I do to see and feel a REAL positive permanent change in my life? I hope you can help me.

 

Sherry

sherry63026@yahoo.com

10/31/08 12:20am

You are not alone!  The real poositive changes are already taking place.  You've been diagnosed.  You are starting to understand your own condition and are taking steps to adress it, (meds and counseling).  The rest comes one step at a time.  I tried meds, and was not happy with the side effects, but I have changed some of the things in my life.  I've educated the people in my life , who now have a better understanding of me and can wave those red flags when I need to stop and reassess or wave those banners to cheer me on.  I;m gradullay learning to do less things and say NO.  I take time for myself to recharge most of the time before I crash (but not always).  It's a process and each day is one more step.  Sometimes the steps won't be forward, sometimes they will be backward, but just like Dory in Finding Nemo Keep on swimming, swimming, swimming.  You have a lot on your plate, all you can do is take one bite at a time.  Good luck!

Anonymous
balance
10/31/08 8:14pm
Terry - get someone in to help you! Get someone to help with the housework;a friend possibly to sit with you or help as you sort and organize piles. I am 54 and while I daily continue to struggle in some ADHD area - I have made much progress in other areas. Someone comes and cleans every other week and this person also has helped the past two years as I cleaned out the basement,closets, and kitchen in an effort to dejunk and organize. Think about getting someone to help you, it's okay and it's just smart.
10/31/08 11:42pm

To everyone who commented and sent their good wishes- thank you!

My ortho surgeon saw me yesterday and told me I'll have another 3 1/2 weeks in the brace/cast, then can start physical therapy, then...I can DRIVE.

 

I'm glad my post touched some of you in one way or another. To Sherry- please consider re-posting your note as a stand alone SharePost so others can see it and lend their support and suggestions.

 

Thanks again,

 

Terry

Anonymous
Anonymous
11/ 8/08 4:54pm

Good suggestion, however you forget my dear, that thinking ahead, due to wonderful timeblindness, is not typical of ADDers.  There is always the now and the not now.  Also we are very good at telling ourselves that the odds of that happening are slim, even if it isn't true. 

Anonymous
Anonymous
11/ 9/08 11:55pm

Condolences ... my story is similar ... happened about 4-6 years ago ... mine was wired back together ... went to phys. therapy almost immediately 2-3 time a week ... followed PT and DR's instructions ... religiously ...wire began to interfere with exercises ... removed ... rapid recovery ... about 99%!  No pain or other problems since recovery ... I was in my 70's when it happened ...now as good as new ... actually better because I am more active than ever ... Take heart ... see you at the conference ... Donna

Anonymous
eerowyn
11/10/11 8:58am

So true! I had a really hard time finding the motivation to do dishes when I was living in an apartment. I then went through one shoulder surgery, followed by a broken arm, and then a second shoulder surgery causing me to live over 6 months with little to no use of one of my arms. I absolutely hated sitting looking at the sink and counters in the kitchen wanting to just get it clean since my roommate refused to do it until mold started growing. Despite the fact I hate doing dishes, I can now say that since I finally have most of my range of motion back, I try to do them asap now.

Anonymous
eerowyn
11/10/11 8:58am

So true! I had a really hard time finding the motivation to do dishes when I was living in an apartment. I then went through one shoulder surgery, followed by a broken arm, and then a second shoulder surgery causing me to live over 6 months with little to no use of one of my arms. I absolutely hated sitting looking at the sink and counters in the kitchen wanting to just get it clean since my roommate refused to do it until mold started growing. Despite the fact I hate doing dishes, I can now say that since I finally have most of my range of motion back, I try to do them asap now.

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