I went downstairs to get a drink of water and decided to make some new nectar for the hummingbirds. When I put the pot of sugar water on the stove I noticed that the burner was on low already. Luckily there was a flame. That shocked me because I haven't cooked anything on the stove since the day before yesterday. Only in the oven. Maybe 1.5 months ago I noticed a burner on, but with no flame. Luckily it was on low. I never smelled anything, but that's horrible! I have no idea how long that had been "on". After that, I was extremely careful, but obviously I wasn't careful the night before yesterday.

I'm definitely clumsy from my medication(s). Probably my Tegretol XR in particular. But I haven't really thought of myself in any way otherwise impaired. I used to feel cognitively impaired from higher doses of Lamictal, and when I was gradually taken off Lithium I realized my mind cleared up a lot.

I'm afraid that my tendency to be careless and distractable may be illness related to a large degree. I am on disability, and have been for a while. Could my carelessness have something to do with lack of a certain type of mental practice? Or is it just bipolar illness related? If the latter, I fear additional challenges could exacerbate this issue. Does anyone have any of these issues, too? Any suggestions on how I can get past this?

[yellow_fleurs]

I can sometimes be careless and easily distracted too. I don't have great advice, but I will say having more of a schedule to my day helps me, as well as writing down to do lists, filling out a calendar, and writing post it notes to myself. That kind of thing. Keeps me on track and focused. I also double check things like the oven, that I locked the door, etc when I can remember because I know I sometimes forget those things.