Part of what you mentioned also reminded me. Check out https://www.amazon.com/You-Mean-Lazy-Stupid-Crazy/dp/0743264487
It was an interesting read for me, and kinda brought a lot of things into focus for me, even though I've had the diagnoses for most of my life.
If you only want it to house your journal then try a bible carrying case. They will have an over the shoulder strap and space for writing utensils. This way you can carry it on you even at home or places you would take your keys or wallet yet you could probably fit it. If not, I have an over the shoulder purse that’s pretty flat and square with a couple extra pockets, that might be perfect. Ill link examples of both.
Bible bag
Crossbody
Sometimes using a focus timer helps me, aka "pomodoro method." I used this android app when I was in your shoes earlier this week and it helped me tackle some work I kept procrastinating on and was getting pretty anxious about https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.superelement.pomodoro&hl=en&gl=US Good luck!
Hi mate!
I am a StayFree App team member! I think we have a feature that works for you! It is "Focus Mode". Could you watch our tutorial video for the "Focus Mode" feature? With this feature, you will be able to use an app only within the time you choose! So you don't have to worry about the hours you need to be productive!
Our app, StayFree, was designed to help you understand your device usage. If you want to take things a step further, StayFree even lets you set up usage limits to prevent you from overusing your device. If you want to give it a try, StayFree is the highest-rated and most downloaded screen time app on the Play Store!
Same to all the comments! I had one of those days today and thankfully I work from home and could cancel my morning meetings and take a nap then try again.
Sometimes what helps me on those days is to make a list of just a few things I would like to get done (maybe somethings I need to get done because they are causing me anxiety). Then, if I’m still having trouble, I talk myself into setting my dinosaur alarm for 20 minutes. That usually kickstarts me into working more but when it doesn’t, at least I’ve done a little something and I don’t feel so bad.
The other thing to remember is that we can accomplish in short periods of time what takes others much longer, so an off day here or there is acceptable to any reasonable boss.
Cute Kitchen Timer Cartoon... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JK6H6VY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
You’re right, it’s never just one thing. Only you can decide if ADHD diagnosis and treatment would be helpful to you.
Having said that, research shows that trauma/abuse can intensify ADHD symptoms. Also, anxiety and depression are frequent co-morbidities.
If you want to learn more about ADHD, I found the book Scattered Minds very eye-opening when I was learning about my diagnosis.
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Better-Using-Strategies-Adult/dp/1937600432
Your Life Can Be Better by Douglas Puryear
Good strategies and each chapter is only about 3 pages long just in case you ADHD-out on it and lose focus.
It's tough. Taking time away was difficult but definitely gave me time to sort myself out - to actually think about my own feelings and needs instead of sacrificing them to keep someone else happy. This book helped me a lot and gave me a basis for reengaging on my terms.
This book is helpful for me: Your Life Can Be Better, Using Strategies for Adult ADD/ADHD https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937600432/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_M1K9VSBB7YKA3CH1ZQDY
Again it's more helpful if you know for sure it's adhd, though.
Really, just being regular with any basic mindfulness meditation techniques can be helpful. I look at it as mental and emotional workout. There’s no right or wrong way. And it’s not about maintaining focus. It’s about refocusing. I think if ADHD folks can practice it with that “goal” in mind, they are more likely to stick with it and make it a regular thing.
That said, there are deeper, more healing forms of meditation that definitely have helped me, beyond just working out my attention refocusing and redirection muscles. But it takes some time and dedication, as well as coaching/mentoring to get to that. You don’t have to be a monk. But it is beneficial to study meditation from a more historical and/or ‘spiritual’ path for healing of emotional wounds, trauma, etc… Gawd knows ADHD folks have their share.
This book was a life changer for me: https://www.amazon.com/Wise-Heart-Universal-Teachings-Psychology/dp/0553382330/ref=nodl_
Women With ADHD: A Life-Changing... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09PMHYW97?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share This book is great and easy to read with small chapters and you can just read the area your struggling with. Really good at understanding why you do what you do :)
Something that may or may not be up your alley is a butterfly knife trainer. When I was younger I was so hyper fixated on learning tricks or doing the monotonous opening and closing (very easy to learn) that I built a trainer out of legos/K'Nex (I'm dating myself LOL).
Might seem a little edgy but it's worked for me. Mind you, it does make some noise and you can only really have it at home.
As long as it isn't sharpened, it's legal to have. Here's an examples.
Trancis Pop It Fidget Toy Poppers Fidgets for Kids Toy; Poppets Stress Toy Set for Anxiety Relief; Poppet Fidget Sensory Toys for Autism ADHD Special Needs; Push Pop Poppit (Lobster) https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09F62BDQZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_2DTJM9PMKMHPWG95MXZW
Love it, it’s really satisfying to pop, love popping it in different patterns, and the antennae are excellent for reasons unknown to me!
(Also it’s cute)
I ended up ordering the same one for myself that I got for my son. I recommend trying one that’s contoured so it doesn’t press on your eyes at all. This one we use is so soft, light and breathable that I don’t even feel it. It’s kid sized but not too small and compared it to my other ones it’s almost the same size
Sleep Mask for Kids with Blockout Light - Memory Foam 3D Contoured Eye Mask - Eye Cover & Travel Sleep Mask, Blindfolds for Kids, Girls, Boys (Dark Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LZGYD6F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_W27P40JZMCGV126DA1NF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Ah, shucks. Well that’s no good. One last option that I have personal experience with and it’s over the counter. I use it on days where I wake up too late to take my Vyvanse.
400mg of L-Theanine and 1 capsule of caffeine (also drink a cup of coffee in addition to this):
Brand I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z9K1LM2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_V9ZN8M8G9ZGDPW150ZQ4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Brand I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IRFX4NY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_F1XPJGKYMHVGNT6FPGMH
L-Theanine and caffeine have had very good results in clinical studies. Plus, it just simply works for me within an hour, which is similar to my meds. It wears off quicker, which is the issue. But it might be good till you find a medication to replace Strattera. Check and see if that level of caffeine will be a problem for your heart first though.
I have a pill organizer that I use and then keep a bottle of ADHD meds with only a few pills in it in my purse. The pill organizer allows me to know if I took my meds that day and the pills in my purse are there if I forget. If I don't know if I took my meds I set a timer for an hour (I name it so I don't forget what is for) if I can't tell if my meds are working by then I usually haven't taken my meds. But this doesn't really help when I'm nearing my period starting and meds aren't as effective.
I feel your pain! I thought I just didn't like reading for the longest time. After I was diagnosed with ADHD I realized I didn't like it because I couldn't focus for long and would end up re-reading pages and chapters over because I'd completely zoned out while reading them the first time.
That's a great book, but you might find it easier to follow More Attention, Less Deficit - Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD - Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA. It's written in small sections for the purpose of making it easier to follow for people with (or likely with) ADHD.
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Good luck!