This is why I get so frustrated when my wife “cleans up” behind me. It has taken literally decades to develop coping strategies for this kind of stuff, and a big part of that is a visual inventory of tasks. The screwdriver on my desk reminds me I need to finish fixing the fan. The bank statement reminds me I need to send in the property taxes. The zip ties remind me I need to trellis the tomatoes. I know it looks like clutter, but it’s actually a super important part of my organization.
There is something fascinating about using visual cues as a means of self organisation. We think of it as completely normal but other people see chaos. These coping strategies independently arise in ADHD people. Until very recently I just assumed everyone did this and it has been super interesting to learn that a lot of my behaviours and habits are workarounds. You make the best hand with the cards you have been dealt. That said I do get upset if someone moves my keys. Who knows it may have even been me because I can’t remember but the important thing is to be compassionate with ourselves and others.
This is why I get so frustrated when my wife “cleans up” behind me. It has taken literally decades to develop coping strategies for this kind of stuff, and a big part of that is a visual inventory of tasks. The screwdriver on my desk reminds me I need to finish fixing the fan. The bank statement reminds me I need to send in the property taxes. The zip ties remind me I need to trellis the tomatoes. I know it looks like clutter, but it’s actually a super important part of my organization.
I thought the zip ties were going to go in a completely different direction
There is something fascinating about using visual cues as a means of self organisation. We think of it as completely normal but other people see chaos. These coping strategies independently arise in ADHD people. Until very recently I just assumed everyone did this and it has been super interesting to learn that a lot of my behaviours and habits are workarounds. You make the best hand with the cards you have been dealt. That said I do get upset if someone moves my keys. Who knows it may have even been me because I can’t remember but the important thing is to be compassionate with ourselves and others.