Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.
This is a typical day in the life of someone with A.A.A.D.D.
I decided to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.
As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mailbox earlier.
I decided to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys on the table and as I put the junk mail in the garbage can, I notice that the can is full. So, I put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage.
But then I think (we seem to get in trouble with these thoughts), since I am going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first so I can take them to the mailbox when I take the garbage out.
I open my checkbook to pay the bills and realize that there is only one check. The extra checks are in my desk in the study.
On the way to the study for more checks, I find a half empty can of soda (another indication of the disorder...I had abandoned the soda earlier when one of those pesky thoughts occurred). In an effort to avoid the mess of a spilled soda, I push the can aside.
Realizing that the soda is getting warm, I decide to put it in the fridge for later. As I head toward the kitchen with the soda, I spot a plant on the counter that needs water.
Stopping to water the plant, I set the soda can on the counter and spot my reading glasses that I have been looking for all morning...between other tasks that is. I decide that the glasses need to be returned to my desk; but, first, I am going to water that plant.
Setting the glasses back down on the counter (I would hate to break them in a pocket...or even worse, forget that I put them there), I fill a container with water for the plant.
While filling the container, I spot the TV remote on the kitchen table. If I don't return it to the den now, I will surely not remember where it is later when we need it...but first, I will water that plant (yes, I know an important task when faced with one.)
While pouring water onto the plant, I pour quite a bit onto the floor. So I set the remote back on the kitchen table and get some towels to wipe up the spill (it's that important task syndrome again..water on the floor can't wait!!).
With the floor sufficiently dried, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was in the middle of doing?!?!?
At the end of the day...
The car is not washed...The bills are not paid...There is a warm can of soda sitting on the counter...the plant didn't get enough water...there is still only one check in my checkbook...I can't find the remote...I can't find my reading glasses...I don't remember what I did with the car keys....and if I'm lucky, there is not water running down the driveway from having forgotten to turn off the hose.
Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day and I'm really tired.
I realise this is a serious problem that I might need to get some help for...bur first I'll check my e-mail.
I hope you're laughing. Seems funny to you? Pay attention. If this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!
