Some don’t believe that ADD is a real disorder. Until the late 90’s even I thought the reason I couldn’t finish a sentence and wandered aimlessly through my house, office, grocery store, and neighbor’s yard frantically trying to recall why I was there was a result of too many chemical perms in the 80’s. Turns out my tight little dog-turd hairstyles (as my grandmother affectionately called them) had nothing to do with my inability to organize my thoughts. My very attentive physician gave me a test with a list of “do you do this” questions and it was apparent after checking yes to every single one of them that I may need to pay attention to this ADD thing. The list of highly-successful, highly-effective people with ADD is quite long, and I’m determined to put my name on it. Move over Ben Franklin! Since he’s already conquered the founding father thing, I’ll tackle the organization of food in my home. I’ve tried every gadget, gizmo and “life-changing” system out there and can tell you with absolute certainty that I operate best with the simplest of tools. I’m a pen and paper girl and an obsessed one at that. Ask the people at Moleskine and Sharpie about their shrine to my wallet.
I shop everywhere. We buy from the butcher, farmers market, specialty deli, and every shop in between. Because I am a bit of a nut about what we eat and where it comes from I make a lot of stops. One-stop-shopping makes me shudder in my boots. I carry the file folder in the picture everywhere with me. I use large post-it’s with the name of my regular stops on the front. I add things to the appropriate list as I think of them. When I have to make a bedtime trip to Target because I’m out of diapers (blame the ADD) I grab my file, which is certain to save me another Target trip the next day. If I happen to have an extra 15 minutes before picking-up my son I can stop at the butcher around the corner from his school. You get the idea. Inside the file are piles of coupons that I can browse through as I’m shopping. My little file may not be the next big app on the iphone, but it works for me. Next week I’ll share my fabulous grocery list making skills (seriously, I’m skilled in the list area).
{ 6 comments }
What exactly is in this folder? I think my folder would get too full! I will look forward to the grocery list making skills! Always looking for ways to organize my life… I’m a bit of a fanatic about it!
I love it! You’ve inspired me to redirect one of my folders… I too have an obsession with paper and pen products! Great post.
Chelsea, I just use it as an errand file, so it has coupons and lists for my regular errand spots. If you need to carry your phone book or encyclopedia’s with you I’d suggest creating an errand box or errand trunk.
Mindy, let’s get lost in the Paper-Source on 23rd soon.
Seriously, Can I join the Liesel Brooks school? Can’t wait for list making tips. I love a good list.
L,
Thanks for my folder and pink pad, have used every day since!
Lizzie
lists? now that’s my middle name….must transfer thoughts (as fleeting as they can be at times) to paper to concur with at a later date….i just don’t understand people who don’t make lists or keep a date book , or organize their errands in an efficient way, etc….it make slife so much easier
Comments on this entry are closed.