Old habits die

Good habits are so important, but they are one thing I have always struggled with; sticking to routines. Whether it's something fun, like learning the piano (when I was a kid), or something essential, like brushing my teeth or taking my meds, my brain just will not let me form a habit. 

When I start something new, I can stick to it for a few days (because it's new/novel). It piques my interest and gives me a little hit of dopamine. Inevitably, it will drop out of my head after a few days or weeks, never to return! 

It's embarrassing to talk about - especially with regards to my dental hygiene. I remember at university, I had a sink and vanity in my room in halls, and every day I would walk past it, forgetting to brush my teeth.

But why can't you just remember?

Every morning, at 10:15 when a notification tells me to take my medication, it's a surprise. I MIGHT remember without the reminder, but I probably won't. I have been on daily medication for at least 3 years... but I still can't do it consistently without an alarm.

I have no explanation, other than... maybe it's my ADHD.

On the advice of my ADHD coach, I started using Alexa (other robotic overlords are available) to supplement my poor working memory... It is connected to my work calendar, which means I have to have all my personal tasks in my work calendar... but that's not too much of a hassle, and it has really worked! 

Alexa, remind me!

Now that I can download all the things I have to remember to a device, I have more space in my head for other things, and I no longer have to stress about forgetting things (I also don't have to constantly ask Nickie to remember things for me!)

This past week Alexa has helped me:

1. Take my medication (and supplements) every day.
2. Attend an Aquafit class that I definitely would have forgotten about!
3. Go for a walk with a pal.
4. Book next week's Aquafit bang on 10pm when the slots open.
5. Go to the gym.

The second thing I introduced was a checklist designed by my bestie Rebecca. It's just a really simple table that has my daily tasks on it that I tick off each day. It's a visual reminder that helps me see my progress!

And then I saw this...

@kieladam

Gamify ##ExecutiveDysfunction with ##MomentumTracker! ##ADHD ##ADHDTikTok ##AdultADHD ##Neurodiverse ##Neurodivergent ##AdultingIsHard ##T1D ##Type1Diabetes

♬ Death Of A Strawberry (Instrumental) - Dance Gavin Dance

This awesome guy has created a deck of cards with his tasks and some more cards with "Momentum Points" so that he gets a little win every time he completes a task, which gives him a nice hit of dopamine! I have had some success gamifying tasks in the past... "Beat the Kettle", where I try and wash as many dishes as I can before the kettle whistles, has actually led to me clearing up in the kitchen far more than I used to!

I might try making some of these Momentum Cards after Pride (as long as I don't forget they exist in the meantime)... "Alexa, remind me about Momentum cards in one week!"