AIBU to think it's damn near impossible to "be more careful"

[MyBonnieLiesOverTheOcean]

I've always been clumsy. I knock things over, chip glasses and plates, break things unintentionally etc etc.

I've not got any special needs - I'm just slapdash. But I really don't think I can help it. I've always been this way. I don't often stop and think about something before I do it and I do crash and bash about a bit.

Do you think it's possible for people like me to change? Have any of you become more careful? If so - how??? DH and I are at loggerheads about it. He gets irate when I break stuff when I'm not being careful, but I think he should know what I'm like after 25 years and shouldn't get so annoyed when I chip another (Ikea) plate. The constant criticism over this is wearing me down.

Help please if you've been in a similar situation.

RelaxMax I have PM'ed you.

Bloody nora, this describes me! Not quite as bad, but still, I'm the one who breaks plates, chips glasses, knocks over the wine at dinner (avoid red wine now as a result!), walk into doorways, have a permanent bruise at table height on my leg....

It never occurred to me that I might be dyspraxic because I'm very good at maths, and fairly sporty. But I hate certain fabric textures, the feel of some fibres rubbing against each other have me curling in myself, some fairly standard foods I can't stand and can taste it if even a bit has been added (like coffee, and those lovely looking chocolate cakes that taste rank because they have some coffee added to them).

Sigh.... it explains so bloody much.

I tell you what, when I am around people who snigger when you drop things and are always bloody watching for 'mistakes' I make a whole lot more,.
Everyone does stuff, but when people make you feel disfunctional or annoying for doing it, then every mistake gains large focus in your brain.. And makes you more likely to do it. If you are around nice friendly people who don't give a shit, does it make a s difference?
I find there are two types of 'careful' person, the fragile cotton wool unexpressive neat freak, and the 'hide every error, pretend everyone else makes mistakes not them, and the quick clearer upper and disappeared of thing they have broken. They are usually also the leaver-outer of thing you have broken to' teach' you.
My dad was like the second. If he spilt something you put it in the wrong place, if you spilt something you are careless.

The first is psycho, the second is proection.. trying to lash out at something in you they are trying to deny in themselves.

Of course in doing this, I am trying to deny that I break things

By the way, my breaking and chipping went down a great deal when I started buying mid range ikea... Just saying...

And once again, MN has taught me something new.

I never knew it was a thing! I thought I was just clumsy. My arms and legs always have bruises from walking into door frames and handles.

Before my period I get uber clumsy. My hands have a mind of their own and randomly drop things.

Thought it was just me being weird

Yep, after my record breaking calamitous week I came on, this morning.

At least I haven't burnt myself, this month.

Another one joining the clumsy club here!
The other problem I have is that in those really easily so often in Summer I have to wear maxi dresses instead of pretty short dresses so my legs are covered! Interestingly I have noticed that since I've been pregnant I have been a lot less clumsy.

I'm the same.
I once smashed a cup by walking into the doorframe with it.

My dp is clumsy too. We break a lot of stuff.

I did wonder if you would post saying you always "dash around 30 minutes before people arrive" and "thoughts jump from thing to thing" - is it when youre dashing about that things get broken? It's probably worth having a look at the symptoms of Adult ADHD just to see if it looks at all familiar.

I'd be interested too please @hareinthemoon

I don't want to sound like an idiotic hippy. But I was always a clumsy child/teen/young person and it improved rapidly when I took up Tai Chi during the 90s.

I do think if you want to improve your brain-body connection, doing physical activities that help you feel connected to your body will help. It could be anything from going to the gym, cage fighting, running, yoga, pilates or even just deep breathing and monitoring your inner processes.

I still have a number of unexplained bruises all over the place, but my coordination is definitely better than it used to be.

Have you had your eyes tested recently? My sister just found out that she has appalling peripheral vision (degenerative condition but has progressed v slowly so she didn't notice) which also gives her poor contrast vision. She is v clumsy. Might be worth checking out.

Agree with Storm and hopsalong, have a look at AD(H)D symptoms. I was diagnosed as an adult and all your posts sound exactly like me. Apart from general clumsiness I also struggle with balance - apparently also ADHD related. I've been prescribed stimulants and I seem to have slightly better control over my body now.

Sorry, I forgot to add the link to an interesting article on ADHD and clumsiness:

adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-news-and-research/research-adhd-balance-and-postural-sway/

Smashed another pint glass today, one less to wash up!

Another possibile dyspraxic here, clumsy and awful hand eye coordination

NotTheFordType I agree, I did ballet for 12 years and got noticeably clumsier when I stopped!... And then better again when I started doing yoga!