Help me get organised please.

[DavidRosejumpers]

I am struggling with life and work admin. I am perimenopausal so that might be it, sleeping badly so tired. I have just read about ADHD and that resonates. Not that I have it but relate to the detail.

My school reports from 30+ years ago say... Lacks self discipline, constantly forgets books pens etc, come to class unprepared, needs to concentrate more, must avoid careless mistakes, must pay attention, work is often incomplete.

It still fits now!! Its stressful.

So what can I do?

A diary/wallplanner etc.

Reposting for any tips. I think maybe I need a planner for everything including daily chores.
(And I need to get more sleep.)

You may well have ADHD. If this has been a problem all your life, trying t to solve it when you're hormonal and sleep-deprived might not be the best time. Would it be helpful to explore a diagnosis so you can access help and resources?

I write everything down in a diary. Check the diary first thing each day to see what I have on.
Set alarms on my phone.
Write down lists of everything you need for certain occasions eg for work, going on holiday, etc.

First of all…..LOVE your name! Appropriate as he “organises his knits”.

Secondly, yeah, I have nothing because I’m similar, so going to watch to see what people suggest.

Me too.

I can't offer anything but sympathy I'm afraid.

I'm slapdash

Maybe a wallplanner for school things and a diary for me to check each day.
Yes @piedbeauty probably not the best time to solve but I'm in bed thinking about all I have to do today and can't get up.

I don't have the energy to pursue a diagnosis, thought if I could work out how to cope that would be as good.

I've realised that I'm not very good at assessing how long things will take.

I'll write myself a massive list but each one take much longer than I think so I don't get it all done, then I feel rubbish and give up.

I need to set aside actual time to do admin, rather than get cross that it doesn't magically sort itself.

Lists! I have a whiteboard I write to do lists on, of course I have to remember to look at it but it is on the fridge so I see it! Writing it down seems tk make me remember things plus there's the satisfaction of wiping them off

suggest you try doing one thing a day at most. Make a list. Achieve one item. It’s overwhelming and maybe if you’re a procrastinator like me, it’s really hard.

focus today - sleep, chill, get some proper rest.
tomorrow- write list, maybe order a wall planner from Amazon if you feel that would help.
next day - one item from your list.
and so on.
for sleep, maybe try a bath and going to bed early.
for energy, put on some music and dance
for focus, maybe try reading a book, doing some art, or brain training games. It all helps.

what kind of life admin are you struggling with specifically?

im in the middle of a spring clean. It’s driving me mad as Im being lazy and still haven’t got round to putting all the boxes of crap in the attic!! (It’s been 3 weeks and counting…) but I try to do one thing a day, and tend to agree life admin with dp, then weirdly I text him the list. I cleared 3 things this week. So see that as a win.

have also danced around the house lots, so getting some exercise in. Haven’t got round to reading, still haven’t ordered a set of paints for my ‘art projects’ but feel more positive. I think the spring weather helps.

I’m the same. Not sure I’d be diagnosable but definitely have traits. I find that this knowledge helps me be less ‘I’m shit’ on top of the pressure of all you have to do, which is a relief.

It’s helpful to break things down, don’t try to do everything, but promise yourself you’ll work on a task for a chunk of time without stopping to check phone or start something else. I found reading ‘the organised mum method’ helpful even if I didn’t follow it all. It is surprising how much you can do in small sessions like this if you focus, and work more systematically than your instincts suggest!

At my best, I write lists and tick stuff off. I write it first thing on a day off. It can be as specific as
put wash on
hang wet washing
fold dry washing
put away washing, or as vague as
declutter something!
If I’m in the kitchen waiting for the kettle or preparing a meal, I’ll often get more done in those few minutes than I would if I set out to clean kitchen cupboard doors for eg.
If I do something not on my list, I add it after and tick it off.

When I’m at my worst, I sit on the couch much of the day, unwashed, and in the same clothes I’ve been wearing for days, scrolling through my phone and watching box sets I’ve already watched numerous times.
I’m convinced I have adhd. But I’m not diagnosed or likely to be (medical history is littered with periods of depression and anxiety) as on the surface I function and I can’t imagine ever being any different. I’m a single parent so I have no choice but to keep the plates spinning for my dc but I spend my life feeling overwhelmed, anxious and failing.
On the other hand, my partner, friends and others who observe my everyday life, tell me how amazed they are with what I’ve achieved.
I’d like to meet them in the middle and just feel good enough.

Life admin I have missed a couple of dates for school things, I have a pile of paper/letters unsorted, appointment dates that need to go in a calendar, need a new parking permit etc.

I have booked my car in as mot due soon so that's something done. And got something fixed on the car.

Have been to the shop on three occasions for milk this weekend and forgotten the milk so lists seen like a great idea!

I have lots of laundry and lots of things waiting to go to the dump and have wallpaper and paint to do some decorating that have been meaning to start for ages. Maybe I need a plan to complete one task each day. Also maybe a regular housework plan.

I have hrt treatment sat in the cupboard as I need to have a read about what I'm meant to do!

Car booked is a win! If you’re not working today, maybe tackle the letters and get your diary in order today so you don’t miss any more appointments. Use your phone calendar. It’s easier.

one load of laundry for now! I did 5 loads and it’s all still sat on a chair waiting to be put away…

hrt can wait until tomorrow.

I checked out some housework app and turns out I’m too lazy for them. They assume I already clean for 30 minutes a day!!!

I did 5 loads and it’s all still sat on a chair waiting to be put away… I do that too!

I am working but have time off soon so going to start on lists and calendar. I might try get some chores going with DC too. If we all did something each day would help.

I hope your spring clean goes well.