General Topics I need suggestions to an old problem

[Stenacron Man]

I need suggestions to an old problem

No matter how hard I try I just can’t do it. I backslide every time. Every time I get better I become complacent with my feeling solid, and positive from just rebuilding my mind or body from a crisis. I want to always walk, eat right, exercise. Once I feel good I stop doing the things that I know I need to keep doing.

Examples; it has now been 3 days since I brushed my teeth, I haven’t done my daily exercising in 4 days, I don’t know when I last had a shower, and the list goes one. You would think that after just about dying from suicide 2 times and damn near dying from lithium poisoning 3 time all in one year, that I might want to stay complacent with the things that just rebuild me and made me continue living.

I am horrible with structure I can create it but can’t follow it no matter what I have tried. They only time I will do everything is when my (OCPD) monster is satisfied. Example if I put everything I need to do together in one area and in the order they need to be used I do tend to use them daily. If I can't help but see them I will do them.

But because I live with others like my 80 year old mother who continually rearranges things and moves some of my stuff to another location because she now wants all this over there makes this hard . For the record I do not have a true bedroom. I sleep on foam from an old couch on the floor behind a large cabinet in the living room. 3 living in a 2 bedroom apartment. I love me little space but it is very tough to keep clean it's like 5 feet X 20 feet long.


I am going to try to make a list of things I have to do everyday + things that also need to get done and check them off as I go to see if it works.

If anybody has suggestions I am very open to any ideas.

Buddy Mack.

[AJ]

[QUOTEI am going to try to make a list of things I have to do everyday + things that also need to get done and check them off as I go to see if it works][/QUOTE]

I found what works for me is a calendar book on my dresser. I don't write a list that needs to get done all together. I write a few things down for each day, over a week or two, in my book. I know you don't have a dresser but perhaps you can find a place to stash your book. I keep my list for each day down to 2 or 3 things. If I write down too much for a particular day, I get overwhelmed and do nothing.

The key, and this is hard, is to be flexible. If I'm having a rough day, I might only do one thing on my list that day. Sometimes I just transfer items to the following week if it's a particularly tough week.

Checking things off is very gratifying. Then you have visual evidence of your accomplishments.

[paul m]

Hello Buddy Mack. Good idea to write down what you would like to do every day. Just don't get discouraged if you don't get them all done. Some days just making a list is hard work for me. Like AJ, I've been known to transfer things for a while. I find the most important thing about my lists are that I don't forget to do things, like put my cheque in the bank (it arrives early and I tend to forget about it until I realize the rent is going to be over due LOL) or get my prescriptions refilled. Take Care. paul m

[Stenacron Man]

Thanks guys. We are all so similar like we knew each other all our lives. I'm going to make a template list in office that will have a box for all the daily necessities like vitamins, brushing my teeth, taking aft meds which I sometime forget. Then the bottom half is all flexible stuff like run the vacuum cleaner and those kinds of things. If it works out to be any good I will print a blank and load it up maybe others can use it to.


Buddy mack.

[Jafar the wizard]

Procrastination is a problem for me & for many other people I know .. you're not alone buddy Mack ..
..
I can suggest simple techniques I use to do things I postpone .. the easiest are daily activities .. brushing teeth .. taking a shower .. washing dishes ..
..
For example
one of the reasons behind forgetting to take a shower or brush your teeth is that these activities take place in the washroom .. a place you can't enjoy being in for long time .. the laptop is not there .. tv is not there .. especially if you can't afford expensive improvements to make washrooms more attractive ..
I force myself to brush my teeth by eating something I like & then makes me feel uncomfortable & must brush my teeth .. popcorn .. cheese .. eggs .. etc .. that might not apply to everyone but you can choose what suits u more ..
..
Sometimes I brush my teeth while sitting on the couch watching something .. then go back to washroom after finishing ..
and so on ..

[Jafar the wizard]

I liked this article
maybe you'll like it too
..

http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html

[Jafar the wizard]

If you liked the previous one .. then you might want to read part 2

http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/11/how-to-beat-procrastination.html

[Stenacron Man]

That's a great idea about eating certain foods to force you to brush. I will try that and read both articles Thanks



Buddy Mack.

[uni]

Thanks for the links Jafar. I can get very good at procrastinating without even trying. Darn "instant gratification monkey"! I especially liked the TED talk to which the first article contained a link.