ADD-ADHD Mindfulness Matters Musings

ADHD & CHOOSING A SMARTPHONE

2010-12-28T20:03:30-05:00

I've recently been asked which is the best smartphone for a person with ADHD. Considering that it took me 3 years to make that decision and then to actually buy it, I had to smile (OK GRIN) that someone wanted that information from me! Here is what I replied:

First you need to decide which wireless company you want to go with, unless the specific phone you choose is only offered by one particular carrier. Then you want to make a list of everything that you need your phone to do for business, for organization and for fun. My suggestion would be to start by trying out the 3 most popular ones, Blackberry, Android X, and iphone and decide which one is best for your needs. You can go to your local wireless phone company stores and tell them that you want them to teach you about the phone and then they will lead you through it and then leave you alone to let you play with it for awhile. This is what I did. Also, spend some time with your friends phones and read the manuals. Get a feel for each one.

It really depends on your individual needs, your level of tech savvy, your particular computer system and the software that you use daily (remember that you will be syncing and backing up your phone to your computer). Take notes at each store or friends house so that you can remember what you've discovered and decided and list the pros and cons as well as your questions. Good luck with your exploration into a new adventure.

always remember, mindfulness matters

ADHD & 'ANGRY BIRDS'

2011-01-12T17:43:17-05:00

Recuperating from Carpal Tunnel Surgery I decided to pamper myself and take a few days off. Sure, I'd heard about the game/App, the #1 game/App in the world of smartphones; but knowing how easy it is for a person with ADD to hyperfocus on games and really needing to get my end of year bookkeeping/tax prep work done I had decided it was safer to stay away from it. I actually did for quite a while. But THEN, I read about it in the N.Y. Times. Lets face it, even an ADHD LIfe Skills Coach can't resist something that the most intelligent newspaper in the country is touting as a 'must have app' and the #1 most downloaded app in the world... (50 million downloads) I gave in. OUCH!

I started with the free edition to test my ability to balance and structure my time management skills VS my hyperfocus hell. OK, so far so good. There were only 12 levels so how bad could it be? Hmmm a 'Mighty Eagle'. Nope, I'm not going to buy this game or this Santified Cheat Tool.

Then I had a death in the family and couldn't concentrate on anything but crying so I started playing a little more often. "Angry Birds" to the rescue. Hmmm time to get the egg timer out.. OK, back on track. Then VT got hit with a big blizzard and I couldn't even walk down the driveway and across the street to get the mail or the newspaper from my box. "Angry Birds" to the rescue. Where did that egg timer disappear to? OK, back on track.

But then I got greedy. Finished the free levels and for a whopping .99 cents I bought the iphone app with 210 levels. Let me just say that 6 weeks later and a second day stuck on the same level, out comes the .99 cents to buy the "Mighty Eagle". To my credit, I am more susceptible at night to giving in...

And where does the Carpal Tunnel Surgery fit in. Well, my wrist is so sore that I've either reactivated it or given myself tendonitis! How, you might ask is my wrist so sore when all you do to play this game is move your index finger a smidgen to prime a sling shot and use your middle finger (how appropriate) to touch the screen for more fire power? Well, people with ADHD have an intensity about us that creates Carpal Tunnel, Tendonitis, TMJ and over competitivenss where others would be creating relaxation.

Today we are again having a HUGE 'Noreaster, I am taking a break to play and I am remembering to do my breathing exercises while I play, meditate in-between levels and touch that screen so lightly that I have to double check to see if I really did! Oh, and I am letting that Mighty Eagle soar instead of fighting my way through the impossible levels. Aahh this feels good. Peace at last.

Hmmm, what's this golden egg they keep talking about?

Mindfulness CAN overcome hyperfocus and oblivion. We just need to remember to live it. Yes, I did say "live it" not just 'practice' it. Mindfulness is a lifestyle, a way of existance. May you live it in peace. always remember, mindfulness matters...
Mindfulness Matters Coaching

ADHD & Lost Youth

2011-03-07T12:53:17-05:00

When you are diagnosed with ADD - ADHD as an adult it means that there were many "un-mindful" years that one had lived with their ADHD running rampant, alas, unknown. As I sit here watching the snowfall head into 3 feet, fully aware when I am pausing my focus on work to focus on the storm, it struck me that I gave away so much of my youth to distractibility and impulse. Lost time living in the state of unawareness, un-mindfulness was the norm.

So rarely did I truly pay attention to conversations. So rarely did I ever stop to truly take in the enormity and joyous feelings that were cfreated during special events, never mind day to day living. So rarely did I remember whatever it was that I wanted to remember. Between the ADHD, the usual unawareness of youth and the cultural state of "auto-pilot" it seems that i just floated on cruise control much of the time instead of mindfully choosing, mindfully making decisions based on how I wanted to experience my life day to day. Certainly I took in what interested me and had lots of fun and adventures along with all that schooling. Yet looking back it seems that I rarely was purposefully in charge of my mind, my words or my actions. (Wouldn't my teachers and parents love to read this!)

No 'do overs' allowed! However, living life fully, mindfully in each moment today, I sure can squeeze in a lot more of life than I ever would have imagined possible. I can choose what I want to think, feel, say and do in each moment. Mindfulness puts ME in charge of me, my ADHD and my life. Outside forces interfere with and often steer the path in unexpected or unwanted directions, but I decide how to proceed with each of those unexpected paths. Thankfully along with ADHD comes the gift of creativity. I can use it or give it away to distractibility and disorganization. I choose to use it.

What are you choosing today, in the next moment? If today is a 'snow day' for you or just a regular ole' work day, bless yourself with mindful living. I am going outside in the blizzard and mindfully make snow angels and then come in and play with my Wii. Always remember, mindfulness matters.
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ADHD & SUNSHINE: or I WANT TO GO OUT & PLAY!

2011-06-29T11:32:15-04:00

It has been a very rainy summer here in Vermont. ADHD like any condition that has an effect on our moods, seems to be affected by sunshine or lack of it. That's just a personal observation mind you. The worst part of what is happening right now is that it rains every weekend and is hot and sunny during the week.

As I sit in my office looking out the window trying desperately to concentrate, I've come to the conclusion that all the meds and meditating in the world can't seem to stop me from wanting to go outside and play. This weather is just not fair. Hmm, what am I going to do about this?

I've got it! I will expand my lunch "hour" to 60 minutes from 30 and go for a mindfulness meditation walk at lunchtime. Now, how to rearrange my schedule and clients, and when will I eat my salad? Details, just details. I'll change the times in my appointment book and speak to each of the clients that will be effected. My first priority is sunshine. Here is an idea, I will do a mindfulness meditation walk to the park and eat my salad on the swings. This way I will meditate, play, eat and feel the sun on my face. This is a glorious way to take care of my need for mindfulness meditation, food and play. It is also a great way to add balance to life and to help to take charge of ADHD. Perhaps I should have named this article ADHD & Problem Solving? always remember, mindfulness matters... Mindfulness Matters Coaching®

ADHD & AGING: or How To Stay Young At Heart Lesson 101

2011-07-19T09:04:54-04:00

ADHD & Containing Excitement might be more appropriate for a title. In two weeks I head for the Adirondacks for our 2nd Annual Big Chill Weekend. An informal gathering of my first two years of college, NCCC and Townie friends, that started last year on Facebook and has been building steam ever since. FUN and SUN (hopefully) and some of the best people I've ever known.

Most of these people are grandparents but when I look at them I see the young hippies that we used to be and hopefully they see the same when they look at me. Today I look in the mirror and see my Mom, Grandpa Charlie and Aunt Dotty. I'm not quite sure where I have gone, or at least the Me that I remember. Living so far away from all of my relatives and friends that I grew up with, there is no one around that see's the youthful girl I once was. Sure they see me act youthfully but when they look at me they see me today, the way I see myself when I look in the mirror. Hey, that's OK because I like me, but it sure feels good to have someone look at me and know they are seeing Judi the college teenager.

So just exactly how does ADHD and Mindfulness fit into all of this? Well, I've had to work OVERTIME to be able to focus on my work and stay in my moment instead of looking through old pictures (literally or in my mind), emailing old friends or chatting with them on Facebook. Maintaining Attention and Concentration these days, and I imagine the next two weeks, demands a LOT of meditation and purposeful mindfulness. My mindful lifestyle is saving my serenity, my diminished anxiety levels and my business, not to mention the quality of attention that I give to my clients! Once again I have proven to myself that mindfullness matters!