Finding What Works

I have to admit that I am finding it very hard to follow my chore schedule strictly, but as I mentioned in my other post, that's not what this is about. It's about baby steps.  I have named a goal: following my weekly chore schedule.  My first step to being successful at it is making the chores a part of my routine.  There are some that are easy to get done and I don't mind so much like vacuuming, mopping, picking up toys, doing laundry and others that I absolutely hate doing like cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, cooking.  Like it or not they have to get done.  I also have good days when I am full of energy and feel motivated to tackle anything. I take advantage of those days and add an extra chore.  That way on the bad days when I'm sluggish and having difficulty focusing I can skip a chore and just focus on maintaining the house neat; picking up toys, washing dishes, etc.  I try to get most of it done early in the day so I don't have to worry about it the rest of the day.  Once the chore for the day is done, I feel accomplished and the anxiety subsides. 

Writing down a weekly menu has taken the fuss out of grocery shopping.  I make a list before heading out, and I know exactly what I need to buy so I'm not overwhelmed at the supermarket.   Sandy Maynard from ADDitude Magazine put it this way: "Supermarkets seem to be designed to play tricks on the ADD mind, with their eye-catching displays, seductive product packaging, and food choices too numerous to count. And all those 'on sale' signs? They’re rocket fuel for impulsive types.  Other shoppers stroll up and down the aisles, placidly loading their carts and checking items off their lists. We ADDers stand there, frozen like, well, a box of frozen veggies: Should we go for the chopped or the julienne string beans?" The picture on the right is a pretty good representation of this.  I also found it in ADDitude Magazine.  I create my list with a handy little app for my Android phone and text it to my husband.  We go together and split the grocery list.  That way, we are done in half the time.

Writing out my routine has helped both me AND my daughters.  There's no freezing up wondering what to do next.  I've been sticking to my routine pretty well so they are getting used to it, and they pretty much know what to expect and have fewer melt downs.  I've scheduled time for them when I read them a story or get down on the floor and play with them so when it's time for me to work they aren't fighting for my attention. 

It's not a perfect system but considering I'm not on any meds at the moment I have to expect some downfalls.  Hopefully, once I start treatment again things will go smoother. Until then, I'll continue with baby steps and writing about it.

I'd like to know what works for you?

Making Friends Monday

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Update

So I spent all of last week trying to follow my new chore schedule.  It was so great to not have to make a decision about what to do each day. Everything was planned in advance from chores to meals and it took a lot of stress and anxiety away.  The decision process was brought down to the bare minimum.  All I had to do was decide to do it.  Not as easy as it sounds, LOL.  I have to admit that sometimes the procrastination got to me and some things were left undone or postponed.  It's okay though.  I'm not beating myself up over it.  I'll just tackle it this week.  I need to remain flexible with this process or I'll drive myself insane.  

All in all, I'm satisfied.  I tackled one of my problem spots that had me anxiety ridden; the laundry room.  I wasn't able to finish all the laundry because I had to tackle the clutter first, but I should be able to finish everything come next laundry day.   

I haven't taken medication for the ADD for a couple of years. I was on Strattera, and frankly, I hate how it made me feel.  I felt light headed or numb and my appetite completely went away which made it really hard to plan meals and do groceries.  This led me to try to overcome some of this on my own.  I have an appointment to get re-evaluated for ADHD and social anxiety, and I have another one to begin treatment so I'm hoping that once I get back on medication and proper treatment that some of this will be easier.  

Ty Pennington has the right idea.  I feel the same way when I am creating.  It's the only thing that calms my brain.  I can sit for hours while my creative juices are flowing.  My handmade dolls have come from that process.

So I finally finished my chart and have started putting my chore schedule into practice this week.  So far, so good.  I also made a chart for the meals of the week and typed out my routine.  We have a two story house.  The downstairs is picked up and clean, although, maybe not sparkling, but I am satisfied.  Tomorrow, I aim to tackle part of the upstairs; the bedrooms (3).

I'm not too overwhelmed yet.  It is either because I know that my chore schedule has worked in the past or because I've trained myself well.  I have got a method for cleaning that works well for me.  I picked up this book years ago called "The New Messies Manual: The Procrastinator's Guide to Good Housekeeping" by Sandra Felton.  It changed my life!  I still get overwhelmed and frozen in place sometimes but on days when my head is clear I do okay.

I've never tackled all three rooms at the same time.  I hope it doesn't prove to be too much.  I guess this is all trial and error, right?  I'll let you know how it goes.  Wish me luck!

Decisions, Decision...

Everyday after breakfast I have to decide what my day is going to look like.  I get a bunch of things going through my head plus my kids asking for TV or to be picked up.  I can't concentrate on my thoughts much less make a decision on them, and I get stuck in place, frozen...


I hate that feeling.  Well, eventually a good idea gets through, like washing dishes and I can get it done but sometimes a bad idea gets through and impulsively I grab my computer instead. So what happens to the dishes then? They are left for later (procrastinator), and later, and later.

That's why my routine is so important to me and it works well when I follow it.

For chores to get done around this house they have to be decided on before hand.  So I have a list of chores that have to get done once or twice a week and a chart of what will get done on each day.  The key is to not overwhelm myself with too many tasks at a time.  This is of course a work in progress.  I haven't used it in a while and will be reformatting it and putting it into practice.  Once it's done I will be posting it up in case anyone finds it useful.

I am turning our former office into a playroom for my daughters.  As soon as the ideas started coming I started to develop them.  That's how my mind works.  I'm kinda handy with I brush and decided to make a mural.  I have to paint all the walls first which frustrates me because I want to do all the fun stuff now.  I have several projects in mind for that room.  So far one is done and up on the wall even though I haven't painted yet.  I can take it down later.  At least it's done.  That's an achievement for me.  My creative wheels are turning, and I like it!