Growing up I was always on task, had perfectly organized notebooks, binders and a very tidy room. I’d like to think it’s my OCD, but it’s obviously part of me, my personality and just how my brain functions. Being a teacher suited me and my organized lifestyle. I could take the most unorganized student and whip him/her into shape in no time. It was my challenge and I loved it. My brain works in such a way that I number lists and 1 always comes before 2 and 2 before 3, and so on. I just love need order. If I could take a look into my own brain I image it would be organized like a giant filing cabinet, color coded and numbered and super easy to find whatever it is I’m looking for. I’m visual so my file folders would coordinate and well, I think you get the idea. I’m a bit neurotic and need order to make my world turn.
However, something strange happened shortly after the birth of REW. You see, I believe along with my placenta and modesty went my ability to focus on one task at a time. I’m convinced somewhere between delivery and heading home from the hospital I contracted A.D.D. Now I understand it’s not a disease, nor is it contagious, BUT you see, I am not Attention Deficit. Perhaps JPW gave it to me, or I lost my ability to focus along with my memory but my mind is all over the place, all the time. Or maybe it’s needed when you become a mother? I don’t know, but I don’t like it!
Currently I have three blog posts stewing in my brain. They’re good. They’re raw and they’re just too detailed to quickly jot down right now. It’s Monday morning, I’ve already made tonight’s dinner, made an organized mess along with sorted piles of craft supplies I need to pack away and sell. I have done a load of laundry and yet, I cannot focus on the task at hand. I am making mental lists of things I need to get done today, and throughout the week. For example, but not limited to: making pom poms for REW’s birthday, call Verizon to cancel cable, file the pile of papers on my desk, list and sell craft supplies on Ebay, clean up guest room for my mom, start tomorrow night’s dinner, start a list of how I want to organize the garage (totally serious) and look at plane tickets to get up and help with my Gram. See? Ridiculous!
My mind is all over the place. I only drink one cup of coffee a day. JPW says coffee turns him into an asshole, I think coffee turns me into a womanly version of the Tasmanian devil. I’m glad I have the energy, but really I’m out of control. If I’m absent or appear to be on some of drug while talking to you, don’t be alarmed it’s my OCD and A.D.D clashing and jousting their way to the top.
But thanks for reading and if you have any tips on how I can stay more focused send them my way! Do YOU ever feel like this? And if so, how do you stop and focus and relax?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Sadly, I have it too! I swear, I could get one task accomplished before moving on to the next one before I had the babe, but now it's like I can't even begin to finish something before I'm on to the next project! It's a good thing I don't do crafts!
Nikki recently posted..Music Monday
i think maybe it IS something you develop as a mom. along with not being able to remember one single thing (i thought that would go away after baby was born, but nope).
and the really bad thing? if i happen to wake up in the middle of the night, my brain kicks into overdrive like this. at 2 am, it's a very unwelcome thing.
but all in all, i wouldn't change it for the world!
becca recently posted..what bedhead
I think I've always had ADD, but now after the baby I definitely cannot get anything done even though I have a million things in my head to do. I set out a plan of things I'm going to do, and never get them done.
Barbara recently posted..Romanian Holiday – Week 2
I am the same way. Everyone told me that it was just "new-mom syndrome" and it would get easier as the baby got older. Well, now I have 2 kids and I think it's much worse now than it ever was!
The only thing that has helped is making lists. I love to cross things off so it's a weird, nerdy high for me when I get something done. I also allow myself a 10-20-minute f^%$-off period when I get something major done (or something that I really really don't want to do). Like after I update the budget and pay the week's bills I will watching a TiVo'ed Keeping Up with the Kardashians. That way I can still do little things that are mind-numbing but I can still be productive.
Shit. My 20 minutes are up. Now I have to go write a mountain of Thank-You notes from my 1-year-old's birthday party that was over a month ago
Tara recently posted..Something’s different around our house
I totally get this (except for the OCD tendencies, we know I don't have those AT ALL). The only way I can focus myself is to write out a list and just start working on ONE thing at a time. I know it's easy to get distracted and ambitious, but you'll be more productive if you start and finish one thing at a time. Maybe 2… but that's pushing it. You'll get centered again, it just wont be the same center you originally started with.
I am almost certain it is something that comes with being a mom. I notice it in me especially when all the kids are in bed – i can't focus. I am so used to multi-tasking 3 kids, house, etc during the day I always seem to be in overload or something & at the end of the day my brain will not function on just one task.
Or I also get overwhelmed at times with everything i am juggling I can not focus on anything.
Sorry – i wish i had some tips for you
Devan @ Accustomed C recently posted..My House is My Kids Home Too
This line is brilliant: "I’m convinced somewhere between delivery and heading home from the hospital I contracted A.D.D."
I have 4 kids and work full time – I can't help you one bit with staying on task but like the other moms who left comments what I can offer is "I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND!"
Maija @ Maija's recently posted..Tummy Tuck Tuesday- The Encore!
yes…I totally get this. I mean, I have it too! I feel like I accomplish less than ever. With MORE than ever to do! If you find a cure for this…PASS IT ALONG!
Katie recently posted..Thankful Thursday- The Teacher Edition