Have trouble finding things? How do you cope with it?

[coffeeandweed]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the group and I'd like to make my presence known. I found out at 56 that I'm ADHD and now I'm trying to figure out how to live with it.

One problem I have is looking for stuff. It was only last year that I realized I can be looking directly at something and not see it. It slowly dawned one that I can track things down quite easily if I fixate on the colours rather than the actual items.

One example is looking for my carving knives. I actually got this trick from a series of crime novels by Karin Slaughter about a dyslexic government agent named Will Trent. To compensate for his reading issues he colour-coded his files. So now instead of looking for a knife, which would be an otherwise frustrating endeavor, I think green beforehand (I put tape on the handles) and go. Much much easier for me.

Now my question is this: what do you do to get by every day? Any tricks you found by yourselves that help you out? I would love to accumulate some knowledge to keep the frustration down. Thanks for any hints, and I hope that my tactic of looking for colors helps someone. If it does only one person some good, then I'll be glad to know I've made a difference.

[BlessedLady]

I color coded things that were important. For example files and things in my day planner/notebook. If it was something I did not use daily. I would write in my notebook where I put it. I had a special section just for that Back then I wish they had the technology they do now to locate things.

[coffeeandweed in reply to BlessedLady]

Yeah, I remember back when my word processor had an eraser on the end and texting was in Morse code. Back when the internet was CB radio. My handle was the Midnight Modulator baw haw haw.

But noting things down, as much sense as it makes, requires me to get myself to carry it out. I've started many notebooks in the past that just fell into disuse. One of those quirks.

[BlessedLady in reply to coffeeandweed]

It is much easier to make notes with smartphones now. There are countless apps. Some have alarm reminders, different colors, etc. I use several different apps you can set different times for. I also use different song ringtones for certain things. One of the apps I use allows you to speak the reminder and vibrate or set a alarm and vibrate.

[coffeeandweed in reply to BlessedLady]

I do make use of the timer and alarm on my phone for sure. As well as the calendar. Forgetting to use it once got me sent to court.

Now all this being said, ADHD does have its good points. It's the driving force for my artwork. I make some pretty impressive hiking sticks that sell for a good dollar. And right now I'm getting practice making pipes that are somewhat popular with a certain younger section of the demographic in town. Plus lots more. It's my favorite coping mechanism for sure.

With the hyperfocus like it is I can totally lose myself in almost absolute immersion. It makes me good at doing tedious work.

[Hidden in reply to BlessedLady]

Could you please share the reminder APPs that are actually easy to use. I would so appreciate it. I’m 59. Getting diagnosed late in life is a gift to me! I’m grateful to put the missing pieces together, for understanding. I’m pressing on with life! I can’t change anything that I suffered as an innocent little girl. I have power in understanding, and can see that I’m not defective or deficient. I’m using Christian Mindfulness to focus on the here and now.

[coffeeandweed in reply to Hidden]

Mindfulness got me through a tough time when I had no caffeine to get me through my days. I'm an atheist with a degree in Environmental Biology, so I tend toward nature.

Baroque music works exceptionally well in calming me. People complained about my music, saying it bores them. I say no, you're not bored, you're relaxed. If you haven't tried it, look it up on any internet radio app.

For mental stimulation I go to YouTube and watch scientists present their research as well as documentaries on diverse topics. Those get me to sleep real well. People like David Attenborough present the world in a fascinating manner with a voice that calms the savage beast.

But by far my favorite thing is my carving. Here's the bowl of a pipe I'm working on here and there between multitudinous other things. I have a hiking stick carved into a snake that freaked out a cage of monkeys at the zoo. My proudest artistic moment.

Pipe bowl, apple wood.

[Hidden in reply to coffeeandweed]

Thank you for sharing with me. I love Science and nature! I love music as well. Music has helped me to gain victory over things that I needed a little more help to remember. I can memorize anything to music. I wanted to say that I appreciate your artistic side. I’m creative as well. I’ve struggled during parts of the pandemic with my artistic abilities. I felt so confined, almost claustrophobic. I’m beginning a new endeavor. I’m raising Monarch Butterflies. I’m extremely excited to experience each life stage, from the tiny eggs, to the wonderous changes in the chrysalis! It represents a new beginning for me. I’m ready to press on. I’m grateful to learn that I’m not defective. I grew up in a volatile, alcoholic home. I’m a gentle, compassionate, loving person. I’m finally finding all of the peace that my heart cried out for. I’m 59, and life is new!

[coffeeandweed in reply to Hidden]

Mindfulness got me through a tough time when I had no caffeine to get me through my days. I'm an atheist with a degree in Environmental Biology, so I tend toward nature.

Baroque music works exceptionally well in calming me. People complained about my music, saying it bores them. I say no, you're not bored, you're relaxed. If you haven't tried it, look it up on any internet radio app.

For mental stimulation I go to YouTube and watch scientists present their research as well as documentaries on diverse topics. Those get me to sleep real well. People like David Attenborough present the world in a fascinating manner with a voice that calms the savage beast.

But by far my favorite thing is my carving. Here's the bowl of a pipe I'm working on here and there between multitudinous other things. I have a hiking stick carved into a snake that freaked out a cage of monkeys at the zoo. My proudest artistic moment.

Pipe bowl, apple wood.

[dede2012 in reply to coffeeandweed]

omg, David Attenborough has such a calming voice

[BlessedLady in reply to Hidden]

ARP Alarm and Pill Reminder on Google Play. You can set more than one time. You can also choose different ringtones. (I added my favorite ringtones from previous phones and songs to the list. You have to use another app to add to the existing ringtones) When the alarm goes off. You can set it to have a choice with how many minutes before it goes off again.

Google calendar has a option of being notified of an Event up to five time before it is set to alarm. It only has one ringtone but you can choose from a list. You can use different colors on the calendar. (I use Google Calendar to remind me several times of Events, appointments, tasks, etc coming up during the day I do not want to forget.

MultiNotes-Handy Notes Reminders on Google Play. You can use different colors for these Reminder Notes. You can only have one ringtone. But there are several to choose from.

I also use Microsoft One Note for note taking. It does not have reminders. But you can put things you are currently working on on your home screen.

For text Messages, I use Smart Messages, SMS, MMS, RCS. It helps me that I can set ringtones for messages and use pictures beside contacts. I use song ringtones for my family and close friends. That way I know who the message is from without looking.

All of the above are free and on Google Play. But,I think you have only a few Speak Title you can do with ARP Alarm and Pill Reminder for free.

[Hidden in reply to BlessedLady]

OM goodness! Thank you for taking the time to share so much information with me!

[BlessedLady in reply to Hidden]

You're Welcome! I'm 68. Us older folks have to stick together.

Years ago when our kids were growing up. We didn't have apps. I color coded everything ! I used post-it notes and I had a Daily Planner/Journal I made to fit my needs. I wrote everything in it. Everyone knew their color. Three of our six children were diagnosed with ADHD and my husband had ADHD. Everyone said how organized I was and that it was a miracle I didn't forget things because I had so many people to kept track of and so many things. But, I was honest. I told them the Lord showed me what worked best for us and our family.

[coffeeandweed in reply to BlessedLady]

Yeah, this kind of thing is pretty rampant in my family too. Goes back two generations that I know of, and ahead another three.

I just wish I was alerted to it half a century ago; I would have made some vastly different career choices. I went with what I liked, technology and science, but I'm a natural-born artist, people tell me. But I always had hobbies in both areas. I'm not content unless I'm always learning things, another bonus of adhd.

I've been to lots of different forums for this on and off for a couple years but they're almost all pretty inactive. I'm glad I found this one; it's nice to not be alone.

A couple years ago myself and the wife took in a young guy from a bad home with adhd and Asperger's and I've never before met anybody before in my life so much like me. The wife is now a lot more patient with me and my issues because of him and I've learned a lot about myself. Makes me feel good.

[ShortyKat in reply to BlessedLady]

I use Alexa to remind me to take my heart medication. My sis said I should clean in incriminants and set Alexa. I never remember to do that, but I should.

[ShortyKat in reply to coffeeandweed]

I have that quirk as well. Love to buy the notebooks, and hardly write in them, as I have a hoarding issue and a not finishing most things that you start, that I am trying to work on, and it is some hit and miss. Is that part of ADHD? Some of my family, shop in my closet. I have many extra things, and it came in handy during the pandemic, but I would like to not do that, and just buy things when I am done with some thing.

[Jambopup]

I have a drop box for things which are important I use every day such as keys wallet work badge etc do I know to go straight to that first just need to tenner as soon as walk in house to put them there. I also use post it’s a lot and Siri snd alexa alarms throughout the day.

[coffeeandweed in reply to Jambopup]

Yeah, I have to gather up everything I need before I hit the car. Put it all in one spot. The wife gets pretty passed at me when I have to make a separate trip back to the house for everything... keys, smokes, lighter, ad nauseum.

Not that's its a cure-all. I still have to remember it all when I make the pile.

[Hidden in reply to Jambopup]

I’m learning that I need to do things in ways that work better for my brain. I deeply appreciate your kindness in sharing with me!

[coffeeandweed in reply to Hidden]

No probs. If there are any things that work for myself and others they should be shared.

[ShortyKat]

I really like that author, I haven't read much of her stuff. Interesting about Trent. Will see if the library has some books online. I haven't found many ways to adapt, but thank you for sharing.

[coffeeandweed in reply to ShortyKat]

Yeah, Slaughter does some amazing writing. She shouldn't be hard to find.

[zonarosso]

I bought the Tile tag system for my son because he was forever losing keys and his wallet. Apple has the tag system too. Oh course set up the find my phone on your cellphone! And hide a key on the car.

[coffeeandweed]

Yeah, I have to set up that find your phone app between my phone and tablet for around the house.

[Acedinsmore]

Thanks for validating my inability to hold onto, (whether mentally or physically) anything that’s not attached to my body! The hours of my life spent searching for stuff could add up to 20 years out of my 68! Tips, I try to have a designated spot for keys, bags, lists, WHITEBOARD, yeah, especially a huge whiteboard! The best trick of all is to not take ourselves too seriously. Humor is essential!