My funny side of ADHD is when I always place things at the right place, but I also forget about it
Like, I always go “wow, this is such a logical place for them how could I forget about it”. I wonder if there’s anyone with similar thing haha
I turned this into a skill. If I can’t find something, I ask “if I were me, where would I put it?”
Best part is, it works with my code. If I were me, what would I name this? How would I structure this? What would this name mean and imply?
I take the weirdest but crazy high density notes because of it. Placement on the paper can matter, different shapes have different implications, the name of something I’ve done before with the surrounding context will always give me the same impression.
I am me throughout space and time, and through my own consistency the tiny imperfections remind me of the details
My problem is that the logical place is in the same logical place as all my other useful things.
So the stack of useful things only grows until its a pile and now no longer useful. Good news is everything is right where I left it… In the pile.
Next step is to start thinking, “if this object wasn’t in this pile, where would I look for it next?”
If a place is the logical one for me I make sure there is something physically there to confirm it is the right place. A key rack, colorful shallow bowl, a stationary object that I can associate with the tight place after 60 or so times, etc.
A place is only the logical place when I remember putting it there or it is the first place I checked. All other places can be logical, but aren’t the most logical place.
Some things take years for me to find the right place…
I like the concept of a distinct marker. Because when I’m trying to think of where something is, I try to picture the last place I saw it and the things that were around it. Putting a unique flag at each of the typical “dumping grounds” might help me realize where it is quicker.
My wallet goes on my bedside dresser on a yellow piece of cloth that is also where my phone goes to charge. I will walk through the house to put it there whenever I get home. Wallet goes on yellow thing by the bed.
Haven’t misplaced it for over a decade. Misplaced it frequently before that.
Repetition!
Are they REALLY in the right place, or does it just seem like the right place at the time?
In hindsight, a lot of the “perfect places” I’ve put things just happened to be convenient at the time. I somehow convince myself that it’s totally reasonable to put my dinner plate under the couch.
@Rhynoplaz for me they’re actually in right places, for example I leave my headphones at my charging station, on my desk, all the visible places where I work. Nothing really unpredictable, but I still keep forgetting and thinking I put them somewhere else
I’ve not been diagnosed, but I experience this all the time. I’ve made a habit of saying past me is so smart, if I remembered. I’ve written notes that I have forgotten about, and found afterwards and thought, wow if I had remembered this note, it would have been very helpful. Also examples like your said, “where’s [blank]?” Search for it find it after way too long* " oh wow that was an extremely logical place to have put it, if only I remembered. GJ past me"
Really?
My stuff is usually just whereever I left it.
