welcome to the shipwreck

State of Grace - SUMMARY. (on Wattpad) https://my.w.tt/WSoB1fk8wcb Grace Blakely is perfectly content with her workaholic father and her witty best friend, Jake. Summer has just begun, and for the next few months she does't have to worry about senior year and college. As she slowly gets over her ex-boyfriend, Dylan, and comes to terms with her crush on Jake, reality rattles her again. Her father comes home with a woman she's never met.. A woman he plans on marrying.

..and that’s okay. 

Not every day is going to feel like you can conquer your brain. Sometimes it’s overwhelming and you start to drown in it. 

PLEASE know that this is a safe space for anyone. Feel free to message me if you have anything on your mind. 

How to Create and Maintain Routines with ADHD and Bipolar Disorder!   

sometimes writing is really hard. i just can’t always get my brain to form complete sentences let alone have them be connected to each other. sometimes my brain feels like a million open tabs or like letting a bunch of dogs loose in different directions and sometimes it feels like it’s full of cotton or water or foam or something that just drowns out everything else. 

i am coming into my own being this year. i am coming into my own happiness.

i am loved and deserving and APPRECIATED. 

Keeping a routine is important for mood stabilization and a general sense of order and control, which can be extremely important for ADHD & Bipolar Disorder

1. MAKE LISTS -lots and lots of lists -write it out so explicitly that there is no question about your next steps Having it written down provides structure and a checklist to follow which allows you to switch things up to keep your ADHD interested, but also makes it easier on your executive dysfunction to execute the tasks. Also make sure the MOST important things are at the top of the list that way when you’re in a depressive episode and can’t get through the whole list, you still make it through the big things like brushing your teeth 2. KEEP THINGS WHERE YOU USE THEM (& MAKE SURE YOU PUT THEM BACK) -keep everything in a place that makes sense for when you’re going to use it -put things back where they go!! this is easier when you’re already in the place you’re using it. it’s harder for us ADHDers to remember to put our hairbrush back under our bathroom sink if we brush our hair in front of the mirror in our bedroom You keep your toothbrush by your sink (or in the shower, no judgement here) because that’s where you brush your teeth, so why not do this with all of your items? Keeping a small stash of cleaning supplies in each room will make it easier to clean up as you notice messes because there is no long trip to another room for cleaning supplies where 30 other things could take your attention. 3. DON’T MAKE YOUR ROUTINE WHILE MANIC -set realistic expectations of yourself This is important because your manic self is invincible and your everyday self is not. It also sets yourself up to fail due to the impossible standard of high energy mania, and failing shuts down an ADHD brain. 4. CREATE A REWARD SYSTEM -think fifth graders who get a pizza party for good attendance -set realistic goals: don’t set out to get the whole month perfect on your first attempt, take it a day or a week at a time. this is especially important for ADHDers because we struggle with delayed gratification Whatever reward system works for you is perfect for you, don’t worry about what someone else thinks, but pick a reward that is small enough you can treat yourself to it regularly 5. GAMIFICATION -take your meds at the same time every day, but make them your secret power up to conquering this level (aka today) -try and race yourself to finish the task before the timer goes off (but make sure the time is realistic)  -play music or a podcast to make it more fun 6. USE ALARMS/TIMERS -break your day up into blocks of time -only have one or two things to focus on in the time block  -have an alarm or timer go off at the end of the time -once the time block has closed, drop whatever you are doing and move on to the next focus 7. ASK FOR HELP -if you’re anything like me, you hate this idea, but trust me it helps -ask someone to hold you accountable, ask someone for reminders, ask for whatever you need, but make sure it’s someone you can count on and that you trust