Confusion around tackling daily tasks, where to start, what order to do things in and getting very mixed up!

[deborah27]

So difficult to get a grasp on things needing done on a daily basis. I do the writing things down and keeping notes, but even that starts to look like a jumble! For e.g. This morning needed to put 're-cycling out, get dressed, open mail, make three paintballs and send a few texts. This hasn't happened, like a brain freeze and as if my brain gets stuck trying to work out the order to do things in and it takes way to long to sort it out. End up not getting very far and then it feels like I have twice as much or more to do tomorrow.

[deborah27]

That should say 'phonecalls' and not 'paintballs'

[Wazza84]

I put everything on my phone so I only have to remember to look at my phone and it’s all listed for me.. but that’s just my solution it doesn’t work for everybody 😁👍🏻

[deborah27 in reply to Wazza84]

That is a good idea, I am going to give it a go. Thankyou.

[Hidden]

This may or may not be your roll Deborah, but I have a diffuse axonal traumatic brain injury so one of the worst and so short term memory is the absolute last battle I had getting back.

My saving grace for remembering tasks and having a normal day to day life again was doing this thing every single morning I wake up and it has been so important to finding my way forward again.

I make myself a black coffee and before cooking myself breakfast, I sit down with my coffee and without any noise or distraction I break today down in my head. Not specific times unless it's an appointment, but just everything already planned for my day.

Thinking, truly reaching in and thinking is what happens and 'organising' myself and my day calms my brain ten fold stopping the sporadic thoughts & feelings that once drove me to madness.

[deborah27 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you v much for your post, will try your ideas.

[StrawberryCream]

I now have to do things in a strict routine order and that helps me on a day to day basis. If that gets interrupted by my 12yr old son needing something then it's hard to pick up what's next. Then additional things I write notes etc.

[deborah27 in reply to StrawberryCream]

Thankyou, I appreciate that.

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi Deborah27,

As well as the great advice from our members, you might want to take a look at our website where we list some strategies for coping: headway.org.uk/news/nationa...

I hope you find this helpful.

Best wishes,

Andrew

[deborah27 in reply to headwayuk]

Thankyou, I will have a look right now.

[moo196]

Hi,

I used to have a very precise list, in order of what I had to do and ticked it off as I did it (still do this to a lesser extent nearly 4 years on). Sometimes I used post it's and took each one off in turn (might be able to re arrange them for another day?)

I didn't like using my phone.

Good luck!

[SillyPhil]

Yup. That's my reality too. I had a TBI 20 years ago and STILL I can't prioritise, organise, sort, instigate action... I just get 'jammed'. There seems to be invisie barriers between me thinking about doing something and actually getting it done. My kitchen table is covered in pieces of paper with notes of things to do. My Wife and I try to organise them into a 'Traffic Light' system.. Red is Urgent, Amber not so urgent, Green is whenever. But my brain ensures that the system never works smoothly. It's SO frustrating!!!!

[Hidden]

Dear Deborah27 it is so emotional to hear someone describe similarly the issues I have on a daily basis. I have struggled for so long and felt alone. Thank you. The comments from WinterMarkus and others are helpful too. I have tried note books, emailing and texting myself at night things I may have missed from my day time list (at work) etc... tried organised things but my reminders always become disorganised. I struggle to get back to what I should be doing if something unexpected interrupts even though in theory I can easily work out what to do hypothetically. Its like my brain cant refocus and whatever the thing is I am trying to focus on. It becomes a 'quieter noise' than the possible distractions in the room. I think a lot of the problem is around the amount of energy I have each day and once I go to far my brain or parts of it just refuse to do anymore. I sit here frustrated and anxious when this happens burning up more energy that I really need to put to better use. A vicious cycle. I will try spending time planning my day over a quiet breakfast at the table from tomorrow. I wont rush into it now, a mistake I am often prone to making, but try to establish this routine from the off. Good luck all.

[paxo05]

Hi Deborah.

Tried to post earlier without success.

Basically I now use my phone to store tasks. I set reminders the night before and then write the upcoming days tasks on a white board. Also I set a reminder the morning of the tasks and if possible an hour before them.

Previously I used a diary but often failed to check it or misplaced it causing me to not even start my tasks.

I rely on my phone now , well the planner app. You could use a laptop or I pad instead of the phone . Whichever is easier.

Hope this helps. In fact I hope this posts.

Pax

[deborah27 in reply to paxo05]

Hi, I opened a 'notebook' on my phone yesterday. I am happier and hopeful. I have noted where I put things keys etc... Thank you for everyone's tips.

[fredikins]

I know the feeling deb, I liken this to being a ship with no skipper or rudder.

[CH56Twin]

Hi Deborah

Just a quick note to let you know you are not on your own. Please be prepared for slip ups when you start writing things down. I just had a tidy up on my home desk and found 2 post it notes with "urgent to do" written down. Can,t remember why I had to do those two things, but they were pretty important. My problem is that I think of a good place to put urgent or important tasks to do and then promptly forget where that place is or that it even existed! I am not being obstructive or negative here- simply pointing out that it may take you a few practices to get a system that works for you. Persevere and you will get there! I finally did - well at least I think so - now where did I put that message from my daughter?.......... Only joking! Best of luck to you. Clare