Blog Posts from Dr. Robyn

Raise your hand if you’ve ever procrastinated (I’ll raise both!)

Procrastination used to be me every day with most tasks. I could never focus to get anything done, I’d forget or I just didn’t want to do the task. 

I’ve found these 3 to be helpful to keep me on track.

1. Set a timer: pick a task, think about how long it might take you, set your timer, and work until the buzzer goes off. When it goes off, you can either take a mini-break (maybe set another timer for that! Hello distractions) or continue working. The force start by the timer may have been just what you needed. 

2. Pick a end task celebration: Write down your tasks while being mindful of what you can accomplish. The goal is a sense of completion, not overwhelm. The joy of crossing things with an added bonus of whatever treat you get when you complete a task. Do you want a break to listen to one song? Do you get to play with the dog for 5 mins? Make it joyful and fun. 

3. Accountability person: Find someone who can hold you accountable, check in on you but not lower your mood. Making you feel bad if you miss a task or procrastinate is not helpful. Pick someone who will celebrate your wins with you but encourage you when you need it. Maybe you could offer to be THEIR accountability person and you check in together throughout the day/week. 

What helps you not procrastinate?

The pomodoro technique is a time management system that encourages productivity by working with the brains natural rhythm and not against it. It is short bursts of focus then a break. 

The technique is: you set a timer for 25 minutes, focus on your task, then a 5 minute break. This is one pomodoro. After 4 pomodoros, so 2 hours, you take a longer, 20-30 minute break. 

Have you ever tried this idea?

Hey hey! Last week was so busy in my personal life and the rest of the month is just as busy! I thought I would start this month to discuss some helpful self care tips so you don’t go crazy.

Self care does not have to be a bubble bath. It can be anything that you enjoy and brings you peace. ADHD folks can have a hard time putting themselves first but when we do, it helps manage stress greatly! 

When to do self care?

- do it first thing in the morning if you are the type who SAYS they will practice self care but then forget 

- do it last thing before you go to sleep if you are the type who struggles with winding down

- do it when you can if you are the type who’s days are wildly unpredictable

- do it anytime you start to feel frazzled

Even 2-3 minutes of some deep breathing can work wonders. You don’t need 20+ mins! I know that chunk of time can be difficult to find some days. 

My self care changes based off what is going on in my life. Sometimes it’s a bath, sometimes it’s a walk outside, and sometimes it’s 3 minutes before I go to sleep where I focus on my breathing.

What do you like to do for self care?

Life is busy and it seems like all we do is: cook, cook, cook! This week, my kitchen tip is to work smart, not hard! 

If you are cooking, make a little extra to store away in your freezer. Doing so will allow you to pull that out in the future on a day that you just do. Not. Want. To cook! Maybe you didn’t plan your meals or go grocery shopping when you needed to and you need to get a dinner on the table. 

While you are at it, store a little healthy dessert in the freezer as well😉

If you are like me, you will likely not remember what you put in that bag/container and you will not remember how to reheat it.. so make sure you label it!! On your label, include what it is, when you made it, and directions for reheating.

This is also perfect for date nights when you might have a sitter over and you don’t want to have them cook for the kids. 

The holidays are coming! Every year, I see a bunch of unlabeled totes, with a mix of decor and vow to organize it. Then I think the same thing next year. And the next year.

I love seeing things with labels and clearly marked. It is SO helpful when I can quickly get something due to this system.

But to start it. That’s the hard part!

Make sure you have enough totes that you can separate things. This year I had fall mixed with winter and seeing winter stuff out but not hanging up cluttered my brain! Ah!

I got a fall only tote. When I took down all my fall decor, I put in the tote AND labeled it. All at once.

Get your labels out before you pack! Or it’ll be too easy to push it off with “I’ll do that tomorrow” “I’ll do that later”

Are your holiday decor totes organized or a mess?