[SweetSunshine]

I have been trying so hard since March when I was in the hospital to get into a routine.Part of me feels that this is part of being bipolar ~ having trouble with organization and such. When I came home hubby was laid off. And we did really well while he was off. He kept me in check so to speak. Including making sure I got my meds in when I was supposed to. But as soon as he went back to work, on third shift, I just got out of the routine. I am struggling with staying organized with the bills, getting them out ontime, I haven't made my meds out for 2 weeks now, I keep forgetting to call in to get refills, I just am lost here. I want to do good, I just cant get a plan in place. I rely totally on my planner ... and I do great at getting to appointments. Part of me also feels I need to be as quiet as possible while hubby is sleeping upstairs. I dont want to disturb his sleep at all. He said not to worry about that. And part of me knows he can sleep thru about anything. So really I dont have an excuse there not to do what I need to do around the house here. I guess what I am asking is do any of you who deal with bipolar issues as far as getting yourselves into a routine, and staying organized. I dont want to go back to where I was before March. This is why I am asking if any of you have any suggestions. It would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks so much~
Bethy

I have a calendar that I ex off every morning. before the day can be exed off I take care of whatever is listed on that day for example the first day of every month says rent, electric, phone, cable, shopping cat food and toiletries, kitchen. So when I get up look at the calendar I know first I have to call in to the billing places and pay those on my bank card then go shopping for cat food, litter, toilet paper and so on. When I get home from shoping and have taken care of the groceries and non food items I ex off that dayt on the callendar. When I was on meds I looked on the bottle to see how many pills were in there and marked on the calendar on one week before the last pill to refill meaning call my pharmacy and ask them to refill and then by the time I am dressed and out the door the parmacy already has my refill done All I have to do is walk in and say - pick up and my name and they hand me my refills. I also carry a notebook so that throughout the day when I notice something that needs to be done I write it down and every night I sit down and write what I put in the notebook on to the callendar. For appointments I make sure I get an appointment card and I post that on the corkboard, and also write it on my callendar. In fact I have a callendar for every room so that no matter what room Im in if I remember something I can write it right in right then.

[sharita]

I not sure if it has anything to do with being bipolar but I have the same problem especially after being released from the hospital, I think I have trouble is, because I don't do anything in the hospital but watch TV and sleep.

I try to have my family remind me of things I need to do and tell me if they see signs of me becoming depressed/manic to ask if I'm taking my meds, because sometimes I actually forget and other times I just don't feel like going out to get them filled. So, by them asking me I don't like to worry them so it kind of pushes me to get them filled. I also try to use a calendar and program it into my phone so I know what needs to be done.

I don't really have to many suggestions but if you see a therapist I'm pretty sure they'll have ways of helping you get back into a routine.

Good Luck!

I have huge problems with keeping a routine and staying organized. The job I have now causes me even more grief as there is so much going on around me that I find it really hard to concentrate on my stuff. HELP!!! We need a bipolarbearian helper!! xoxoxo pat

[darkeyes]

Routines, I use to be good with them, even excellent, over the years and not being in a real job like I had been before my son was born (19yrs ago) my routines have disinegrated (sp?) well barely followed. For about almost 5yrs I am having a huge problem with trying to establish a daily routine lifestyle and sticking to it, similar to a diet&exercise thing. I've tried several suggested things by my pdoc and former psychologist but to no avail.
I'm not sure if not being able to stick in a routine is due to peri-menopause,being a caregiver,wife and mom.
Pdoc feels that is the stress that sabotages my plans, and not my DX's (bipolar and add) to blame.
I have great plans but no energy to stick or even start one.
Please if anyone can send some "magic spell" to help me and others suffering with this, please.
It has been suggested to me to try one step at a time, like establishing a better sleep/wake cycle, to a degree it use to help, but I've dropped back into poor habits again, up late, sleep late. I am fortunate that financially I do not HAVE to have a paying job, but that is one thing besides yardwork that made me have a better sleep/wake cycle, in turn helped with better energy during the day.
I have no answers that may help, but saw this post and had to add. Meanwhile I am going to have a check up and see if I have something physically going on. Can't hurt, to rule out something if I can . . . reduces some stress, maybe?
I'm more in a rut than a routine. This is a good post for us to talk about possible ways of getting into routines for ourselves, I'm open for suggestions.
Take care and good luck everybody with this.

Sincerely,
Roe

(((((((((((((((( to all here )))))))))))))))

[SweetSunshine]

Thanks everyone for your replies. There are some very helpful tips in there for me . And I will try to implement the ones I think will help.

I wasnt meaning to label bipolars. Its just that I see that some manics are a bit more organized than what the bp2's are. Being that the depressive modes are more prevalent.I am bp2and it just takes every ounce of motivation I have in me sometimes to just function. Let alone stay organized and keep a routine. And I have noticed that in others here too that have bipolar.

Its just like when ADD's and ADHD's have trouble focusing... its just something that comes with the territory .. Its just an observation thats all.

Again thanks!!

Hugz~
Bethy

i carried my payment for my water bill in my jeans pocket for days and this morning i had no water. i had to trek downtown, pay to get it turned back on and now i have to stay here all day to wait on the service person. this will happen to me about twice a year. i just can't keep up...........i try little steps....but i lose the list and then the motivation and then i just drift.......xoxo pat

[SweetSunshine]

Pat~
I know exactly what you mean! Only I dont put the bills in my pocket. They are in my purse or I put them where I am supposed to ... right beside me here now... but I dont do anything about it. Cause I dont have a routine or system to go by. I do try so hard. And it happens more often then not with me. I have been taking some advice from here and from another friend who talked to me last night and have been writing things down in my planner. I love my planner. Its helped so much. I dont know why I never thought of doing this myself. Guess thats just how it goes when you cant think clearly sometimes. Dont give up ... we can do this ok?

Hugz~
Bethy

maybe i should have a planner? i used to use one all of the time. when i had the B&B. and it worked. now, i'm just this crazy ditz driving around with a check in my pocket and no water! actually, i do have water now. when you get disconnected, evidently they increase your deposit. so, that cost more.

okay, we're going to work on this together. in the morning, i am going to the laundrymat and do all of my laundry. then i am going to come home and hook my dryer up, in the garage, and dry my clothes. that is all i can probably manage to keep straight. then i go to work at 1 and i have to close. i only have to close once this week, a miracle, so at least i won't be so exhausted.....[/list]

[darkeyes]

Planners can be great, I use to use one or a "to do" list.
I start little "post-it" notes, and check off as I go along, but then I don't keep that up as I should.
I'm thinking of starting a "planner", I have one I bought awhile ago, the cover has one of Will Wegman's Weimaraner pics on it (the kind of dogs I have) I thought the pic would make it more inviting to work out some schedule or something to help me get things moving. As I read this thread, I almost was motivated to go down in basement, yep, get it out of one of the moving boxes from Aug 2001, that still hasn't been fully unpacked, you should see my basment, it's such a mess that if a pic was taken you'd find it hard to find where the ceiling or floor is.
Beth, Pat and others having this difficulty, let us pray for some motivation or whatever we wish to call it.
Love to you all,
Roe

[Lexicon78]

I have trouble getting into a routine also. When I was in the hospital, the best thing I've found to work is creating a schedule on an hourly or half-hourly basis of what you need/want to get done. This way you know what and when you need to do something.

[SweetSunshine]

I have used this type of planner for a couple years now. Mainly I use the monthy calendar in here because of my T appts and such. Its got some really awsome features that can be useful too. I have found them at Walmart and at Office Depot. I love Flavia things because they are so inspirtational. Just thought I would share with you what I use. They also have one that you can plan your day out by 15 minute increments too. Which is nice . I have one of those too , but I dont use it like I should. I really need to use it . I think it would be very helpful in getting the routine down. Also there is a website I used to subscribe to. www.Flylady.net They will send you reminders out on your computer everyday , throughout the day if you choose to do so.

Pat~ I think its great that you are willing to share your day ... and I think it would be nice to keep that up. Its a good idea! I think I may do the same.

Hugz~
Bethy

http://www.flavia.com/store/flaviaSt...&action=detail

I used to turn on a timer and see how much I could get done in 30 minutes. I'm going to a store tomorrow and buy a timer.

[SweetSunshine]

Pat~ Your new nickname is Timer now lol. Hey I couldnt help it! Had to bring some humor to this post eh? LOL. Seriously though I think that is an excellent idea. Flylady teaches to use a timer too. Only I think to use it for 15 minutes at a time. Ohh and perfection isnt necessary either.

Hugz~
Bethy

[bipolar_bear]

I can't use such a stringent time line so I write down everything I want to get done that day and plug through t hem. I try and make it realistic so I don't feel overwhelmed or discouraged. There is something so satisfying about crossing them out as you go. I hope you find your own way to get organized.

realistic is the key word!!

[JustBen]

Yeah, I totally agree about being realistic. I've gone through phases where I set the bar way too high and then gave up completely when I failed to meet those unrealistic goals.

and did you all know that "setting the bar too high" is something that we tend to do frequently?????? we have to be very careful about that, because it sets us back....xoxox

[partlycloudy]

I think it's also important to let ourselves off the hook when we've had a particularly difficult time. For example, my mum just left after a week lo-o-o-o-ng visit and I am completely incapacitated.
I told my T I wanted to crawl under the covers and hide for a day. She said, go for it!! (Not to make light of this thread at all.) Having a routine that I can realistically stick to really helps me feel safe. It just that I realize that sometimes I have to even let that little bit of self organizing go, and just be still for a bit.

pc, having dragged herslf to the computer from the sofa. Phew!! I need another break.

[SweetSunshine]

That is one thing I think I fear about routines its that its stringent. And I tend to want perfection when I am expecting things of myself. So I go beyond the realistic type list. Maybe this is one reason I dont attempt it.IDK

Bethy

[SweetSunshine]

Guess I set myself up for failure quite often . Maybe thats my reality... hmmmmm?????