Executive Dysfunction and Demand Avoidance

Does anyone else struggle to start a task of any kind? I literally CANNOT force myself to start a task if I've previously started thinking about it. For example, if I've thought about doing my laundry AT ALL during the day I CANNOT make myself do it when I get home. I will literally stand/sit/lay down and self talk myself to oblivion about how much of a piece of shit I am because I can't get up and wash clothes. It's like as SOON as a task becomes "needed" I can't make myself do it... I NEED a shower... nope. I NEED to eat.... nope. The only way I can get these things done is if I blind side my brain. Tell myself "meh I have till Friday to do the laundry, it can wait" but then on Wednesday I see the basket, just grab it toss it in the wash, and BOOM the process is started without heavy thinking so the avoidance and paralysis is broken... Is there a better way to deal with this, other than just trying to blindside myself into EVERYTHING? Because sometimes there isn't enough time to trick myself into doing everything I need to do.

reet1111

Music. I had to force myself to do this at first F O R C E! And it’s made it heaps easier over the last few months. 1. The thought “I need to do x” 2. The physiological response of 🤮🥱🛌 3. Ask Siri to play the track I chose (mine is https://youtu.be/DYj40-cZ5vI 4. At first physically force myself to start moving to it. Initially I was laying on my bed forcing a toe tap 😂🙄 5. Gradually it’s made it easier to get up and get it done.

cjzoinks

I 100% feel this. I’ve been using this app to ‘trick’ myself into doing this for the past couple of weeks, by having my goal being ticking off the task on the list, rather than having the goal being the real reason you need to do it. The gamification really helps me, as I’m one of those people who will try and get 100% achievements in games which sometimes involves very inane tasks or lots of repetition (legit had to click a single button 10000 times that did nothing in game to get an achievement one time and I did it).

spiderplantt

I feel this. I have 2 kids and I am a singe parent so I have to, you know, keep them alive 😬 I find that having days that I don't have to do anything specific, I can just flow, help. I also spent a lot of time doing non productive things but somehow having the pressure of not having to do anything makes it so I can get stuff done. But if I have the expectation of getting stuff done, it's game over 😅 does that make sense? I also find listening to podcasts while doing chores helps me do them, because my brain is distracted and I can just do them on autopilot. Body doubling also helps - I'll recruit my kids to do the laundry with me and then I can do it no problem. But if I leave it for me to do it sits there for, literally, weeks. If they aren't around I will call my sister or a friend, and putter around while I talk. Hope that helps a bit - and you definitely aren't alone 💜

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