there is so much i would like to do ...

[Fuzzy12]

but I'm not able to do anything because i can't keep up with the things that i HAVE to do. Both my have-to-do list and my want-to-do list are getting longer and longer and nothing ever gets done. I seem to be stuck in some kind of limbo where I'm so paralysed by my duties that i can neither do them nor anything else. I'm wasting away my life like this. I'm almost 34 and i feel so old. Not just in absolute terms but more than that based on where i should have been at this stage, the amount of time I've wasted and the remaining time that is running out too fast.

[fracturedstory]

I feel you. Right now I can't even copy a document onto my iPad.
I'm not overwhelmed at this moment though, just...can't get the ability to move away from the computer.
It's not hyper focus too. I could minimise my window and just sit at my desk and stare.

Anyway, what's the most important if-I-don't-do-this-all-time-and-space-will-collapse-in-on-itself task?
Work on getting that done and ignore the growing list for now.

[mayza1]

The past is the past, you can't change it. Try not to get bogged down by it. Look ahead! I get the gist that you have dreams that you want to achieve. What can you do soon and what must you wait/work towards? Break it down into smaller goals. I can easily understand how one can get overwhelmed when they look at their life dreams/goals/hopes, but it doesn't come all at once.

You say you're paralysed by your duties, how so? Is the workload to high? Is ADHD making life hard (particularly at the moment)? Whats holding you back?

[stef]

I totally understand!
Just last week I found something that helped:

I write everything in a small notebook (important and unimportant....)
so now I put the things I absolutely must do on the left; and anything I'd like to do on the right. It's just less overwhelming. and it was looking like the stuff I wanted to do was some kind of task.

for example if I really am out of eye makeup remover - that's on the right;
if it would be neat to try a color of nailpolish - on the left
(instead of just writing the name of the store where I find both of these items...)

ok that's a really trivial and frivolous example! but that's the idea anyway.

[Drewbacca]

I'm right there with you. On the academic front, the last two weeks have been a complete loss. Either I focus entirely on school and nothing else, or I focus entirely on everything else. It would be different if I didn't have to sleep, but to-do lists are usually just a source of anxiety which make the whole scenario worse.

They're great, so long as I can stay ahead of them... but once behind, they are the fuse on a bomb of self-destruction.

[SquarePeg]

I hear you loud and clear. I´ve just discovered a fab new gym on my way to work. Sometimes I don´t start work until 12.00 so I could easily drop the kids off at the bus stop and go to the fab gym and have loads of time for a class and/or swim, sauna etc showering and get to work on time but I know it´s just a nice idea.

I just need someone with me all day beating me with a stick then I could get things done. arrrggggh

[Geno]

Aww! Fuzzy you're not 80, you don't need to worry about "not having enough time left" unless you're pretty sure you're going to die prematurely. I'm 19 and I don't even consider 34 old, haha. You're only as old as you feel. (if that's true, I'm 80 at some times and 10 at others.)

[Fuzzy12]

Originally Posted by Geno

Aww! Fuzzy you're not 80, you don't need to worry about "not having enough time left" unless you're pretty sure you're going to die prematurely. I'm 19 and I don't even consider 34 old, haha. You're only as old as you feel. (if that's true, I'm 80 at some times and 10 at others.)

Considering that I've got the attention span of a 5 year old and the memory of an 80 year old, my mean age is about 42.

I think, I'm a likely candidate for dying prematurely. Well, at least it's unlikely I'll hit 80. Depression is supposed to reduce your life expectancy (yoyo dieting as well) and in general my life style isn't that healthy.

[Geno]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy12

Considering that I've got the attention span of a 5 year old and the memory of an 80 year old, my mean age is about 42.

I think, I'm a likely candidate for dying prematurely. Well, at least it's unlikely I'll hit 80. Depression is supposed to reduce your life expectancy (yoyo dieting as well) and in general my life style isn't that healthy.

Well, if it makes you feel better, look at my abysmal outlook.

1. I've been depressed and probably will be many more times before I die.
2. I smoke.
3. While I no longer drink I do other recreational substances.
4. Stress reduces life expectancy and I stress about everything.
5. I drink a ton of pepsi and don't eat anything you'd consider "healthy" on a regular basis.
6. I'm clumsy.