Imposing Structure on Yourself.

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At the moment I'm struggling to look after myself in a practical way. I'm having one of my phases when my level of functioning goes right down. I think there a variety of reasons why this can happen but I think a recent extremely stressfull situation has overloaded me. I'm not lacking in motivation, just ability.

The main issue is being stuck in a particular thought. In other words, stuck in my head. This makes it difficult to concentrate on anything else. Most of my routines are thought based rather than practical. My 'Stereotyped' behaviour has never developed into useful routines.. I have always struggled with organisation and practical routine.

I'm now on the waiting list for an assessment at a good place. But I think even with a better diagnosis I will get little practical help. So I've decided to do what I can to help myself with my new found (partial) insight. ( I'm trying to keep an open mind about the possible diagnosis, it seems likely that I have some sort of autism but not necessarily Aspergers because of the lack of the type of routines that most people seem to have. Although that is the only criteria that doesn't seem to fit)

It seems I am going to have to set out a structure for myself of what tasks to do and when to do them. And this includes pretty much everything.

I have a large piece of paper to write out a schedule. But am struggling to start.

How do other people impose helpful structure on themselves? and any advice on keeping up practical tasks when your mind won't let you?

Thank you for bringing this up, this area is a major weakness of mine. I have a very difficult time with imposing any kind of structure on myself. Sorry I don't have much to offer but hopefully others will have some insight. We just have to remember that a small improvement, just a subtle positive step is infinitely preferable to doing nothing even if it's a big struggle at first.

Darn, I was thinking of starting a similar thread about how I can not motivate myself to do the things I don't 'want' to do (which are many).

So, I won't be much help to you, but I will be looking for similar advice.

My problem too. I'm thinking make one small change at a time and get used to it before you impose another structure and also get rid of stuff. Too much stuff is the bane of my existence. I'm working on it though.

The trick is not to change too many things at once. Then you will get overwhelmed. Try changing just one thing. For example, I take a lot of vitamins and supplements. They used to sit on the counter, and I would forget to take them. I finally typed up a list of all my supplements, with a grid for marking days of the week, etc. I now check off each supplement as I take it. Then I know it is done. The list grew to include exercises I must do, and a place to check off if I did them. This helped me see how much procrastinating I was doing. Just and example. I hope that helped!

Thanks for the advice, it is helpful to be reminded of the 'one thing at a time' issue. So I'll fill in the schedule gradually starting with the most important. Also the 'stuff' issue, get rid of stuff I never use.

I think the need to keep stuff is very deep seated and hard to overcome.

I agree. I find it incredibly hard to get rid of books that I haven't read in years. But I was able to sell some on Amazon.

Necessity helps. I HAVE to structure the bill payments. No one else will, and otherwise they will drag everything away.

Otherwise - if I have a set of things to do I will make a list, MAYBE get 6 or 8 done.

I like to do lists. That way you can prioritize. And, it feels good to tick off as you go.

I know what you mean by "trapped in my own head" I don't have any major successes here but I've developed a few strategies.

1. Energy balance, you're a human being first and foremost, you need an adequate diet and you need to use your body to burn off some of the excess energy. This is especially hard for me because I really get into my thinking sometimes, but my brain is just an organ and it can and will give out if I don't give it a rest. The best way to give your brain a rest is by using the body more (ie; doing something physical)

2. Cleaning my living area gives me a better sense of control over my surroundings. I've failed numerous times to do the things I set out to do, but I'll never forget how to tidy the place up, sometimes it is the only thing that pulls me back into reality, but even if it didn't, a clean house experiences less tension

3. Use the carrot, or use things that you enjoy to get you to do things. Lets say you dislike running, but you'll download the play-list of your dreams to accompany you on the runs or you could reward yourself with some gourmet coffee. Whatever it takes to get you to come back the next day.

2010 marks the 10th anniversary of my beginning college, and I'm a class away from my associate's at the moment, so I know how far a little structure can go and I know what a lack of it can get you, good luck.

Hi.
yeah, I could do with some advice about self-structuring too.
I agree with MDD123 that physical activity is good for getting energy moving.
I also like to clean/tidy though this is difficult to be "finished" with two kids messing up the house.

Lists, I do approve of those. One thing that I do if I really feel that I have achieved nothing today, is to write a list of all the things that I DID do. Then I can see that I actually have completed activities, and it helps to see the activities outside my experience of them.

Very true. Between home and business I have a lot of bills going out. After a lot of trial and error and late fees, I found what works for me.
I use a spread sheet divided into home and business down the left, then months across the top, each section has the bill and due date and amount. The chart starts out yellow background with red font, and as the bill is paid I change it to black and white to see exactly what was paid, how much and what was not paid, then check the chart and bank balances twice a week. I still miss a bill occasionally, but this is the best I can do so far.

My problems come more with time management. I do make daily lists, get a few things done, but inevitably something will steer me in another direction. The things which must be done I manage to do most, and things lower on the priority scale will be left for the next list, and the next and the next. I just can't seem to get to those.

I have tried doing a little at a time, but there is so much I get frustrated that I never seem to have the time or energy to get it done. I also have no one to help me. Like when I want to do a garage sale, cleaning, or have something repaired, it is just me and I can not afford to pay for help.

My problem? If I make a list I will lose it. I have a whiteboard mounted at eye level on the door and a calendar on the refrigerator with reminders noted and I will eventually stop seeing them. I'm beginning to realize what a serious problem I have with this inattentive add. Unless I am focused on something I find interesting, my mind is a 1000 miles away and if I'm dealing with something I find confusing my mind is in such a jumble I can't think straight. I have to break things down into very simple steps.

Thanks, I can relate a lot to what people are saying.

I'm feeling a lot like this at the moment. When I get something in my head I find it impossible to let go of it and get on with my daily life. At the moment I feel really disconnected from everything in my life, and though normally I'll have a particular structure to my day (take tablets first thing in the morning, do some writing, have lunch, go to gym, etc.) at the moment my head is so far away I forget to do things like taking tablets or brushing my teeth, and can't focus on any of my intellectual activities most days and struggle to motivate myself to keep to my routine. I get so trapped in my own head I can't connect with life at all no matter what is going on around me.