Procrastination crippling me

[mentalhealthshot]

I need help! I’ve always been an ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ type of person and as we all know tomorrow never comes and I either don’t do what should’ve been done at all or end up in a last minute panic.

I need to change this because it’s starting to ruin my life. My house is always messy, nothing is ever planned (I haven’t even started on Christmas yet!), bills are always paid late, I miss appointments just because I’m not ‘ready’ on time, I’ve a to do list for work that I never get to the end of, college assignment due in on Friday that I haven’t started 😢 I just feel so overwhelmed with everything but don’t know what to do to change it.

I write lists, use apps etc but then never look at them. I need life changing tips because I’m on the brink of ruining opportunities that I’ve been given, opportunities that I do want (college for example) but I’m so close to losing it because I can’t seem to organise myself OR get anything done.

A good point has been made about PTSD versus ADHD. Symptoms can be very similar.

If you want to find out if you have traumas that can be addressed I would recommend www.tira.org . It's what I do. It's a quick and easy way.

I was just like ADHD check lists, but two things happened. (1) I got thyroid medication (2) I addressed all my traumas - and there was nothing that anyone here would think is traumatic per se, no violence or big bad happenings.

Unmedicated adhd here.

The answer really is routine. Simplifying your life (automated bill payments for example). All my money for bills goes straight out into a separate account which has a small overdraft. I check it periodically but don't have to do very much.

Chunk your time. For me (in an ideal world)...Sunday is planning the week. Monday eve I do exercise because it gives me the dopamine to get through Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday, Fri and Sat I do more exercise, as I know there is less mentally demanded of me on these days so I get the exercise in. Sat I try not to overwhelm myself, a class, catchups, relax.

I grew up in a totally disorganised house so I have researched/adapted what works as I have no blue print to follow.

Have an accountability buddy or self check in mid week.

Set challenging but achievable goals. Start them early (to allow for contingency.)

I allow myself a lot of flexibility within the day but the key big things have to get done.

I don't think there is a one size fits all answer but you need to a plan that works for you. The most important thing sounds like college work, so I would plan how to get this done, and look at the overall routine.

Adhd medication does lift the fog, but I find similar reaction with things like clean eating and exercise. Sleep is also very important. Adhd meds don't miraculously make you be able to do things you dont want to do, and they make you feel less creative I found, but they do make it easier to start things, you still have to direct your focus though. Its quite easy to take Ritalin and then spend 8 hours browsing your phone, as you feel compelled to do whatever is in front of you!

I'm similar (and probably ADD or some other neurodivetse condition). What has helped me is to keep a journal for any random thoughts, ideas, notes, and to do lists. And, crucially, for the to-do lists, I try to put the small, specific next step of what I need to do, rather than the entire overwhelming task. So instead of "clean cupboard" I will write 'remove empty boxes from cupboard', which is much more doable, and then when I manage to do that, I'll write out the next small step. My life is still a mess but I've been able to accomplish slight more this way!