To Have Terrible Time Management Skills

[Kittenbittenmitten]

Fairly regular poster. Changed name, it's obviously not a particularly "outing" post but I feel embarrassed.
DC has started nursery two full days a week and I thought "this is it." I aimed to be a master of productivity and that hasn't really happened. I just feel like the day goes so fast. I'm trying to do a part time course and while I'm getting some done, I'm not really doing the amount I ambitiously anticipated.
My house is so messy though I do keep on top of the cleaning just about, I always have clean clothes for DC so it can't be that bad but I don't feel that everything has its place yet and it makes me feel anxious and stressed. I've loads of projects I've yet to finish. I procrastinate on life admin. I was getting really good at reading novels again but now I'm finding I spend any spare minute on my phone. I get worried if I have to spend some of the day shopping or socialising or going to appointments because it splits the day up and after coffee with a friend or food shopping, it takes me a good while to get back into studying zone.
This weekend I didn't do anything apart from go to work do some cooking, ironing and laundry. My DH obviously pitches in at the weekend but I didn't read or study or anything even a TV programme. That depresses me.

I'm not a total disaster, I don't miss appointments or let important admin/ payment deadlines pass me by. I cook from scratch and prepare it before I pick up DC. I write down to-do lists but achieve barely anything. I'm not like this at work. I'm methodical and organised but at home my mind feels like it's in chaos.

Does anyone else feel like this?

I'm exactly like this. Got about 5 books on the go cos can't finish any of them. Promise to help a family member with something but never do because I can't organise myself. Late for lots of things. House messy cos I can't apply myself to 1 task. Avoiding any studying & thinking of leaving current job because I can't face big reports.
I'm completely inconsistent & hate myself for it.
@BertieBotts how did you get diagnosed? It feels like adult ADHD is going to be one of those things GPS aren't interested in... and how did being diagnosed help?
(Sorry for sidetracking your thread OP. This has been on my mind for a while but I'm too disorganised to do a post of my own )

I first have to say a big well done - you manage to meet all appointments, look after your little one, cook meals from scratch etc - sounds like you are already doing so well so don’t be so hard on yourself.

Maybe make a list of mid to long term things you want to do and then break each down into manageable chunks and prepare a daily to do list based on that (it’s fine even if there are only one or two things on that daily list). This will help to organise all of your to do tasks as there sounds like a lot that you want to do but there are only 24 hours in a day. For example perhaps you devote 30 mins a day to that book/podcast and you prioritise your study the rest of the time. And have fixed days for when you meet your friend or meet them for a coffee first thing for an hour and then study after, or better still last thing before pick up at nursery (as a treat for the work you have carried out during the day). Scheduling your two days like a proper work day in this way should help you to feel organised (at least it helps me to do so when I work from home).

The chores (cleaning and bathing little one etc) should be shared by both of you if not already.

Good luck!

Hmm - I don't really fit the ADHD profile. I'm just lazy and better at being directed than directing myself!

Another thought which is something I also do. Are you just trying to fit in more things than there is actually time to do. I'm terrible for this I sometimes talk through my plans with dp and he will say do you have time do do all of those things? I tend to forget the 10-15 minutes when I sit down for a cup of tea, sitting down and eating lunch. I also think oh I have from 9-3 while the kids are at school when it's more like 9.15 by the time the school run is done and 2.45 when I need to get ready to leave.