Why do I keep making mistakes

[Cloudninelau]

I’m a 46-year-old woman with a busy job and an even busier home life. I have two kids — one of whom is neurodiverse and struggles badly with their mental health — and it’s been a real challenge trying to juggle everything. Lately, I’ve been making a string of small but frustrating mistakes at work: sending an email to the wrong team so it didn’t get logged, forgetting to update a stakeholder on a project — little things, but they keep adding up.
My boss’s boss doesn’t seem happy about it (at least that’s how it feels), and it’s really getting to me. My direct boss knows what’s going on at home and has been supportive, telling me not to worry — but at the same time, she wants to run a high-performing team, and I get that.
I’m not really looking for advice; I just feel so disappointed in myself right now. I’m working from home today, but I know I’ll have to face the music about my latest mistake soon.

If you worked slightly more slowly and checked everything that you do, a couple of times, might that help?

Yes probably. Im kicking myself everyday at the moment. It does get you down a bit.

You have a lot on your plate. Everyone makes mistakes. You need to be kinder to yourself.

Just wondering if menopause is also having an impact?

Are you due any annual leave? I felt like I was on a hamster wheel at work recently & realised I’d only taken 3 days annual leave in 9 months. I had to quickly book the remainder before the end of my A/L period & am now taking it. Things are going a lot better at work, because I’m more rested & less stressed as a result!

Sounds like you need a break OP!

This is me. Absolutely overwhelmed at home, kids with needs, support services involved, H with autism and poor executive functioning so he's another burden not a support, sole income earner. I just can't keep on top of everything I need to do, and I make mistakes. no matter how hard I try. Sympathy OP.

I have gone through similar situation at work last year but didnt have the same stresses as you. You have a lot on your plate.

Personally I needed a change in meds.(Hrt)
However what put me back on track was small things like list making. You said you forgot to update stake holders, that would have gone on the list and once done a line goes through it.

I have maintained my habit of once in work writing a note and prioritising each task in order.
If there are no urgent tasks I still write what I need to do down and either get the small jobs out of the way or do the one im not looking forward to first.

I realise this may not work for you.
Maybe keep email in draft and go back a few mins later to double check. Its easy to check immediately but sometimes its easier to spot mistakes when you have been away from something.

I agree that a break could be needed. Even a few days off to give yourself a mental reset could be useful.

Brain fog. Hrt fixed this for me.

Thank you all good ideas and I will give them all a try! I was thinking could this be the menopause or peri-menopause? The brain fog is so real! I have also just booked a week of in a week's time! Give me something to look forward to! Xx

I'm the same age as you and have been suffering brain fog for a couple of years now. I'd make silly mistakes and my memory is awful now. I thought I was going mad but I've realised it's the menopause. I haven't started HRT but having seen this and people saying it fixes the brain fog I think I will.

I struggle with this (nd, menopause , stress at home) I’m lucky that I can often catch mistakes before anyone notices. I find making task lists has helped me. So I check off everything I have to do ;important things only)

Also have you tried meditation? Learning to focus your thoughts can help with declutterring your mind.