MORNINGS! | ADHD Information
I KNOW what I should do to prepare for the morning get-everyone-out- the- door-process, but so far I haven't managed to bring myself to do those oh so organized things. Anyone else out there leave the house like a frantic maniac? Any great tricks to smooth out some of the chaos?
I get ready in the morning in about 30 minutes now, so I guess that's pretty good. Here are some things that have worked for me:
-Cut out unnecessary things. I never take showers in the morning because I always end up spacing out for 20 minutes before I remember I'm supposed to be getting ready. If you can do things the night before, you might feel less rushed in the mornings.
-This may seem kind of stupid, but I write down what I wear everyday. If you do this, soon you'll have a list of clothes you can cycle through. I never can remember what I put on in the morning, so this avoids hesitation when picking out clothes. It also avoids conversations that go like this:
Person: "Didn't you just wear that shirt yesterday?"
Me: "Huh?" (looks down at shirt to remember which one I'm wearing) "I don't know"
Person: "Yes, you did wear that shirt yesterday. Don't you wash your clothes everyday?"
Me: "yeah . . . (tries to explain, but just ends up getting funny looks)" (exits conversation and feels stupid for washing a shirt and putting it on the very next day)
-Grab something quick to eat, like fruit, bread and milk. Something that will fill you up, but no breakfasts that require real preparation or involved dish clean-up.
-leave your keys, phone, purse, etc. in the same place everyday. I know this is something that a lot of people probably tell you, but it does help a lot if you get in the habit of doing it.
I hope that helps a little.
All things ready to go night before. Keep clothing iteams down to the Basics. If you work Full time look at crock pot meals they can be cooking while you are at work. Kids baths at night. This should help us Adults.
Here's a trick that I thought of, but unfortunately haven't implemented yet (typical ADD - good ideas but no follow-through, haha!):PUT A CLOCK IN EVERY ROOM OF YOUR HOUSE.
A watch doesn't count, because you have to remember to look at it. Put a magnetic clock on your fridge. If you don't have a digital clock on your stove or microwave, put one on top of your stove. Put a clock in your bathroom (seriously). Put a clock inside your bedroom closet, or else on the wall next to or above it. Put a clock in your hall or entranceway. Put a clock basically anywhere you will be able to see one during your morning routine.
Next, assign yourself blocks of time for each of your morning tasks: for example, showered by 6:30, breakfast eaten by 6:45, dressed by 6:50, hair and make-up done by 7:15, out door by 7:20 (of course, add in the necessary blocks for kids). Post a list of this schedule next to every clock for the first few weeks, if necessary, until this becomes a routine.
Breaking everything down into manageable 10-15 minute goals sounds a lot better than "up at 6:00, everyone out the door by 7:20".
If you are serious about trying this, make a list of the rooms in your house which will now need a clock, and put it in your wallet or with your shopping lists, so that you'll remember to pick some up.
It sounds anal, but, that's what most of us need - a ridgid structure. Especially when dealing with early morning chaos.
bcgirl197838553.3597569444I have clocks in every room and all different kinds of alarms. Sometimes taking a caffeine tablet the night before helps me wake up next day. [QUOTE=Angry mom]bc girl can you suggest something like this for getting houswerk done also. [/QUOTE]
Sorry, haven't mastered that one yet! Hell, I haven't completely mastered the morning routine yet either.... I really need to heed my own advice!
Although..... I suppose you could set a timer.... 30 minute time limit for the bathroom (further broken down - 10 minutes for tub, etc.), 15 minute time limit for vacuuming, and so on. Make it a game - if you don't finish by the time the buzzer goes off, then you lose. Perhaps give yourself a reward if you make it on time. It might actually give you some motivation! Huh... sounds like something you could do to make kids clean their room....
bcgirl-good ideas all! Made me laugh because we often have to check the computer for the time, as clocks requre batteries that require purchase that require installing...
It's amazing the difference between KNOWING what should be done and actually beating down the gremlins that prevent one from doing those things.
One of my biggest accomplishments this spring/summer was killing the grand shoe hunt. Was always a big deal for everyone to find their shoes. I got these cool storage baskets, put them by the door, and actually accomplished getting everyone in the house to put their shoes in them when they enter the house.
Only someone with the diagnosis to use these boards would understand what a succes story this has been. My co-workers would be amazed and shocked to know their "appears to have it together" friend wants to dance with joy over shoes!
bc girl can you suggest something like this for getting houswerk done also. boredomkills, you are one amazing ADD'er if you can do laundry every day! :P I found a tip on a message board that has worked wonders for me(not sure if it was here or not):
I set out my meds on the nightstand the night before and set an alarm clock for half an hour earlier than the time I need to be up. I set another alarm clock for the actual time I need to get up. When the first clock rings, I take my meds and go back to sleep until the next clock goes off. By the time the second alarm rings, the meds are beginning to kick in and this has allowed me to actually WAKE up in the morning.
In the past, it would take me half the day to even feel like I could begin to function, it was like being in a fog. I have been amazed at how different I feel when I use this strategy. Now I get up feeling like I used to around noon, no joke. Prior to this, it was like I'd be just going through the motions, although I'd be up and at work early, it took half the day to really feel engaged in anything.
I've occasionally managed to get up earlier since I began this routine and can even get things done before I leave! What a change that was! I even feel motivated about getting up and getting something done before leaving. You know the advice that says get up 15 min. earlier each day as a time management tool...in the past there was no way that would happen for me, try as I might. I would always get up as late as I possibly could. Mornings have always been like this for me, even as a kid...a literal fog floating around in my head.
Be aware, however, that the meds can make it easy to get into hyperfocus mode when getting up early to get something done before work. Sometimes I've found myself rushing out the door at the last minute again, more awake but still late. I put clocks all over the place where I can see them (as was suggested above). This has helped me to be more aware of the time when I want to get up earlier and get things done before I hit the road. I've also learned to avoid doing things that tend to take get me off on track with getting ready to leave (i.e. checking e mails, etc.)whereas in the past I really wasn't dialed into thinking about what was causing me to have such a hard time getting out the door, even when I got up on time.
Taking the meds early like this has really made a significant impact for me, I haven't been late nearly as often. Hope this helps.
Cheers, Master MindMaster Mind38553.850462963
When I'm working I HAVE to know what I'm going to wear the night before, otherwise I piddle paddle in the a.m. trying to decide what to wear. I definately take a shower the night before. Also, keep your med. (adderal for me) by the bed with a glass of water. Take it as soon as the alarm goes off, before you hit the snooze. Then after a few hits on the snooze button your alert and ready to go.
Yeah that medication tip was posted here a few months back. I am not on any medications, but the same process works if I set an alarm and take a caffeine tablet (No Doz) 1 hour before time to wake up. I don't do it often, because I can't remember to do it lol.I found a GREAT site for help with everyday chores and stuff--i think ithas been posted on here before, but here it is again:
www.flylady.net
Wow!!
Boy, a LOT of these ideas are stuff I would never have thought of!! All good too!
I do have a few clocks around my apartment (not in the bathroom but I'm gonna seriously consider that) - and never really thought about why I do.
I do have a routine for mornings. They are especially hard for me as I do shift work and get mornings to wake up only 2 out of every 6 weeks so I can't really set up a routine per se since it's only good for those 2 weeks! I'll tell ya - afternoon and graveyard shift are great for ADD'ers like me as there is no worry about that 5AM wakeup! 
I do put my water glass, pills, bills I need to pay, etc. (anything that MUST be done in the AM) right in front of my alarm clock on my bedroom nightstand. If I want to see what time it is - regardless of how wide I can open my eyes - I must stare each time at what needs to be done first thing.
I notice that after taking dexedrine AND strattera together my waking up has improved. I only take one dose in the day of each now where I used to have to take 2 of dexedrine. Once I get into the 2-week pattern (whichever I'm on), then within a day or maybe 2 it seems to sync in my head and it's not so hard.
Ah, laundry - my bane!! I hate it especially so as my apartment complex has no laundry facilities which means prepping for a long walk outside, bags, soap, change (never seem to have enough for a load on me), and softener and the drudge, drudge drudge of the menial task. Ah to have someone to do it for me - almost worth getting into another relationship!! LOL (just joking no it's not)
I'm keeping this post and gonna try some of the pointers. Good work everyone!!!
HeidiMarie - Why yes, I do my laundry every day, cook dinner from scratch with vegetables I grow in my own garden (that I remember to water regularly), I dust and clean my house twice a week, am a successful accountant, and everything is sooo organized . . . OK. I'm joking obviously.
Actually, I still live with my parents, so I can't take too much credit. I don't know if laundry would get done if they weren't constantly prompting me to put clothes in the washer, then reminding me to put them in the dryer, and finally making me remember to take them out before I find them the next day, wrinkled.
And no, we don't do laundry everyday.