11 Symptoms of ADHD Absent Mindedness And How To Fix It
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When it comes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD absent-mindedness can be a thing of the past!
ADHD symptoms such as ADHD paralysis, ADHD Clutter Blindness, and now ADHD Absent-Mindedness all have solutions that I have tried and tested thoroughly in the past few years going through college with and without ADHD medication.
I have A/B tested all of these tips and I can assure you, they work!
While a to-do list is a powerful tool, there is so much more to ADHD than productivity.
Shop this post by clicking the button below. It will take you to my Amazon Storefront that I created with people who experience absent-mindedness in mind!
1. You Don’t Have Good Long-Term Memory
Having little to no long term memory is when you don’t remember important events like your childhood for example.
Having a lack of long term memory is so hard to manage because you feel like you miss out on so many good things.
Good memories are hard to come by, so when you have the chance to remember them, you’re gonna want to!
I like to think I have a great memory, but it is selective. What I think about the most gets remembered!
Take photos when you do exciting things and print them out. Write notes on the back of the photos and look through them occasionally. This will help you to almost memorize your memories ;) Start journaling. When you go through an experience thinking about how you will journal for it, it will make you more present and force you to remember things very quickly.
2. Your Short-Term Memory Is Bad
I know all too well about memory challenges (shoutout to my swifties).
After a short time, I tend to forget even the most basic and obvious details about a situation.
But not to fret! There are some easy steps you can take to improve your short-term memory!
Stay physically and mentally active. Don't let yourself rot away! First step is to go on a walk as often as you remember. Right now, go on a walk, below is a recording of this whole blogpost, so go on a walk and listen along! Second Step is to challenge your brain! Play sudoku or solitaire on your phone, work on a puzzle, do crossword puzzles! These are all great ways to improve your memory as a whole.
3. You Forget Important Dates
Anniversaries, birthdays, and even holidays are supposed to be days filled with joy and excitement, but forgetting these dates can put a damper on the day…
Next time you have an important date roll around, put it in your calendar. Start actually using google calendar or whatever you have on your phone! Having a calendar on your phone makes it super easy to remember things because you can check it at any time and it doesn't look dorky. LOL
4. Mnemonic Devices Don’t Work For You
Memory exercises and techniques like Mnemonic devices can be harder for people with ADHD.
But if you find that they work, they can prevent you from having a harder time in the future.
Instead of mnemonic devices, try root memorization. What I mean by that is writing things down over and over again. Feel the paper under your pen and really be in the moment. Think about studying for a spelling test, write down things you want to remember and see how that makes you feel.
5. You Lose Your Car Keys
​cognitive tasks like being fully present when you set down your car keys can be hard for people with ADHD.
Having an understanding of object permanence can help you feel better rather than disorganized. Once we set something down and we don’t see it again, it’s like it has disappeared or never existed again.
Complete tasks are also hard for us with ADHD. Start practicing finishing things that you start and that will help you also build up better habits.
I know I should say have a specific place for your car keys, but I know that in the daily routines we can forget to put them in the right place. Instead I am going to tell you to set them down right when you get home. Set them right by the door. Don't have a special place in your room or on a cute dish, just set them down. The counter by my back door is where I walk in everyday, and that is also where I put my keys and wallet. This counter might be directly next to the stove and sometimes my keys get grease or pasta sauce on them, but I do not care. Because now I never lose my keys!
6. Family Members Have Memory Problems
Whether your family members have been on stimulant medication, have dementia or Alzheimer’s, or they’re just forgetful, different people have a hard time with their memories.
Chronic stress is a huge factor in our memory issues. If you have issues with chronic stress, check out this post on self-care for stress.
There is not much we can do to fix genetic forgetfulness, but what I will say is that once you start being less forgetful, so will those around you.
7. Daily Life Is Filled With Forgetfulness
I know my whole life is filled with memory issues, but yours doesn’t have to be.
Being present in your day is a huge way to prevent forgetfulness. Start by practicing mindfulness. Take a moment to feel all the feelings.
8. You Feel Brain Fog
The biggest ADHD struggle, for me, is brain fog. The ADHD brain, especially in adult ADHD, will get sleepy and choose what to focus on, and you don’t have many options!
The biggest tip I have for brain fog is cold. Whether it is a cold shower, drinking cold water, or splashing cold water in your face, the cold can help clear your head and wake you up!
9. You Struggle With Personal Relationships
Self esteem is a huge struggle when it comes to ADHD and relationships. Having a low self-esteem can hold you back from making meaningful connections with those around you.
BUT DON”T FEAR!
Here are a few quick tips to making friends as an adult!
1. Text your close friends when you are thinking of them! A text message can go a long way with building up low self-esteem in you and your friends. 2. Have a game night once a month with people you like or aspire to be. 3. Send memes and tiktoks to people when you haven't talked to them in longer than a week. This can ensure that people know you care for them without having to say anything.
10. You Forget Good News
I know I struggle to remember when something good has happened especially when I don’t let it sink in.
This is a HUGE issue with absent-mindedness because we get so lost in our flow that we don’t take in what is going on around us!
The best ways to remember good news is to write it down! I know I have said this over and over again, but it is essential! When you write stuff down you are so much more likely to remember it.
11. You Forget Verbal Instruction
It would be best if you wrote down the instructions in the first place, but I know that this can be challenging.
I would ask questions about the instructions so you can remember it better. Start thinking about yourself doing the task at hand and imagine yourself doing it. This can be so helpful!
This Post Was All About ADHD Absent Mindedness
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