I read an article this morning about concentrating on just one thing at a time instead of constantly pondering everything at once. I think that many of us are overwhelmed by all the decision-making we have to make constantly. This is even more difficult for those of us who live alone and/or find that people in our lives do not understand how overpowering this can be.

I am going to experiment by writing down on separate pieces of paper all the decisions that I am pondering and then choose just one to deal with today and put all the others aside.It is going to be writing out a schedule for the eye drops I must use 10 times during the day and checking off when each one is administered. That way I can just check off each one after it has been taken used. Does anyone else have any ideas about just concentrating on one thing at a time might help?

I use a small white board with colorful markers. I put the date at the top of the whiteboard. This may seem too simplistic for some, but I need the structure and the simplicity. I put the ONE thing that absolutely must be done that day, I may also put several things that are "rewards" or fun things to do that will reinforce positive thing and behavior. If I don't get them all done, I will just put them on the board for the next day. This way I won't stress out over the complexities of daily life.

Ladybugmg, How about writing a short list of the things you want to do for just today. Not too many things. You may work on them simultaneously, for instance laundry & paying bills, but do not venture out of the list for the day. I find this helps and keeps me from becoming overwhelmed. 🙂 My list looks a little childish, but this is OK. It's just for me and my sanity. LOL (I include everything).

I hope the exchanging of ideas as to how each one of us uses coping skills helps others. I like the method of using colorful markers on a white board! Good suggestion!

Hi @ladybugmg, focus is one of the ways I have battled depression for the past 5 decades. Some would argue that it is an avoidance technique; I argue otherwise. Depression made it hard for me to focus and accomplish things in life. By focusing on one thing at a time and establishing specific goals to follow, my life has more meaning and I feel more productive. While this does not eliminate the depression, it does seem to keep it at a lower level -- the clouds are not as dark. Clearly, it is necessary to focus on more than one item during any period of time -- but I think of it as a hyper focus on one important goal, with the rest being secondary. As each goal is achieved, another item moves up to the hyper category. It works for me ...

If you like to read, I enjoyed reading the Checklist Manifesto. While not read (or I expect written) specifically with depression in mind, I found it quite helpful.

@vllynn

Some helpful suggestions. Thank you for sharing your "tool-box" for dealing with depression.

We all learn from each other. I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

Thoughtful insight! I am concentrating using the "one thing at a time" and it was very helpful in taking away that overwhelmed feelings of having too much to contend with this morning.

I am also experimenting with, instead of making of list, I am using the backs of my old business/professional cards to write down items that I must do or make decisions about. I accomplished quite a few of them this morning and throwing away the completed card gave me a good feeling. I wonder if anyone else has tried that method of throwing away a completed action instead of crossing the item off on the list?

That is a big really good idea about making and then tossing "to-do cards," @ladybugmg, especially for those who get a sense of satisfaction when they get to throw something out.

How are you implementing the one-thing-at-a-time approach, @ladybugmg? Curious about what that looks like, as I'm guessing quite a number of our members also feel overwhelmed at times.

Thanks, gman007. I run my mouth too much, make really stupid mistakes, and feel lower than a snake's belly when or if I ever hurt anyone's feelings. Or step on their toes. I am on the Autism Spectrum, which accounts for some of my literal and figurative clumsiness. The rest is all me. People have explained to me that my 49% Western European heritage accounts for the hard copy facts that I am 49% Cherokee and Choctaw. French, Spanish, Italuan, Portugese, and Greek are the groups that my ancestors came from a very long time ago. For some reason, DNA searches on females will not show up Native American ancestry. The story is that my ancestors "passed" enough in looks that when the call came to leave homes for the Reservations, my kin said "Un uh, we ain't going,"and hid in the mountains. After awhile, evetyone forgot about us. Apparently they reappeared later, much paler from the hiding, and resumed their lives much as before. That part I don't have clear information about yet. But I intend to do further research. I have found cousins through this obsession of mine. I find it rewarding to run into family everywhere . It has also reinforced my sincere belief that we all come from somewhere else. And that we are all connected. Much more than we know. Oh, and I will be attempting Spanish this fall, with the thirteen year old. Adios!
Mamacita

hI mAMA..JUST SAW WHAET YOU SKAID ABOUT nATIVE aMERICAN NOT SHOWING UP ON DNA...iDIDNT KNOW...i SENT IN MY MONEY AND NEVER SAW ANY MENTION OF IT ON THE RESULTS AND WAS SO DARN MAD...IS THAT WHY??