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As a writer, I’ve always carried something with me to jot down notes and ideas. 

It might be as simple as a folded over sheet of paper in my fanny pack where I can make lists and write down ideas for blogging and stories. 

When in the hospital emergency room last year with my daughter, I found I didn’t have anything  to write on.  Her going to the hospital happened so suddenly that I didn’t have time even to grab my purse nor a book. 

As we waited, she having tests and wanting to rest, I wondered how I could use the time to write.  I spied a paper towel holder, pulled some out, asked the receptionist for a pen, and jotted down notes for my weekly column and a couple of blogs throughout the afternoon until her husband arrived.

This calmed me and allowed my daughter to rest (without me chatting) until diagnosis and they moved her to a room.  Very seldom do I find myself without something to write on.  If I do, I try to be creative in using my time productively.

• You can find small notebooks that slip into a purse or fanny pack…or a large tote bag. 
• I’ve also folded sheets of paper and placed in a book I carry with me. 
• Often I take postcards along with me, so I can keep up on correspondence.
• There also are small stationery pads that fit easily into whatever you’re carrying.
• Men can find small notebooks to fit into a shirt pocket for lists, reminders, addresses, and ideas.

What do you use for idea gathering and list making when you’re on the go?

Post from: Blisstree

Carry a Notebook with You

Kerri suffers from the Multi Tasking Mommy Fog, with perhaps a little ADD on the side (or maybe that’s just her husband ). This is what Kerri has said about her problem with the fog:

I walk into a room (and it can be less than 30 seconds later), and I forget why I’m there. Occasionally, it never does come back to me. Ah well…

Often the fogginess is due to trying to accomplish too many things at once. I’m often burning pancakes because I’m trying to multi-task. A timer could surely help in that area, but then I’d have to remember to turn it on, too.

Hmm is there a way we could get a reminder to turn on the timer???? Perhaps a little voice to remind you to turn it on….a certain bald man, perhaps???

And, yeah, mom brain. That’s one that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in those “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” books!!! Seriously, I now have so much sympathy for those parents who go through 5 names before they get to the one of the child they’re addressing…because I’ve become one of them! Even our friends’ kids’ names sometimes get in there before I get to my own kids’ names!

Seriously, I could write a book if I could remember everything.

Will you send me a copy when you finally get that book finished, I could use some new ideas on battling the brain fog.

As far as what to do, I make lists. I bought some dry-erase magnets for the fridge to make lists of what I have to take to different events throughout the week. Also, to make lists of who I need to call, or what appointments are coming up. Otherwise, I forget everything I’m scheduled to do. The lists don’t get lost in piles that way, and remembering to be near the fridge is not usually a problem.

Lists are fantastic…and are definitely my go to source for battling the fog. I love the idea of dry erase magnets, on the fridge. Maybe I could use them to help me to eat healthfully.

Thanks for sharing, Kerri. I really like your ideas.

Post from: Blisstree

Mommy Fog – Another Dimension in the Fog Saga

Anyway, on to the brain fog. When asked what particular category of brain fog hers falls into, Katelyn had this to say:

I can’t remember my age, ever, but I think that’s wishful thinking. I do tons of brain fog stuff. The worst was when I got halfway to my Mom’s house and realized I was supposed to be going to Elkton to work…an hour the other way.

Good one! I think we are all guilty of “forgetting our age”, and I am not sure you can classify that as brain fog. I think its more along the lines of trying to reverse the aging process. However, the 2nd part of the quote is definite foggy brained material. I do similar things to that quite often.

Here is what Katelyn had to say, when I asked her what she does to try and prevent those moments when she can sense a patch of fog moving into her head:

My solution is to clutch my foggy head in my hands and then thunk my head on the steering wheel. After I take a painkiller for my new headache, I sit down and write a list. I am talking detail here and the foggier I feel, the more detailed it gets. Sample list from last week when my allergies were really acting up (Which is when my brain fog descends)

Here is an example of her to do list:

-Be sure someone took out trash to curb.
-Put out mail.
-Feed nephew.
-Feed cats.
-Feed dogs.
-Take allergy pills.
-Eat breakfast.
-Blog.
-Pack lunch.
-Take nephew to school.
-Teach.
-Lunchtime appointment.
-Go to work at the library.

I love that she has “go to work” on her list. Unfortunately for me, forgetting to go to work is never a problem. I have (on more than one occasion) tried going to work on a saturday morning….only to realize 2/3rds of the way there that its saturday morning, and I only work mondays thru fridays, and I have somewhere else I should be.

Thanks Katelyn for sharing the details of your brain fog with CFS Squared: Tales of CFS.

If any of you want to participate in my series on brain fog just send me an email about your trials with B.F and what you do to conquer it! I can be reached at laura@b5media.com

Post from: Blisstree

b5 media brain fog 1.3