Adults with ADD: Clean Your Brain

Ever find yourself with a brain full of unwanted guests?

ADD brains have a way of filling up with negative thoughts. They can build up to a point where it becomes hard to move forward in your day. This is what I call a state of "mental clutter."

 

Mental clutter is made up of many different kinds of negative thoughts. Think of them like characters.

Regrets Of The Past and Worries About The Future come over uninvited and park themselves on your brain's couch, where they can brood with each other for hours.

Self Doubt rings your brain's doorbell with a new criticism every chance it gets. When you don't answer the door, it leaves messages on your answering machine telling you why you suck.

Self Pity gets in your brain's way. It's an annoying little character that frequently sprawls out on your brain's floor and throws a tantrum.

 

And, of course, All Those Shoulds hide in the corners of your brain and whisper "You should do this!" and "You should do that!" when you least expect it.

When mental clutter takes over the ADD brain, it can be stressful, overwhelming, and sometimes even paralyzing. Mental clutter creates an atmosphere of chaos and gets in the way of you being calm, productive, happy, and successful.

When mental clutter starts blocking your progress, it's time to take out the trash!

 

The best way to clean up mental clutter is to attack it head on. This means acknowledging all those characters and the messages they send, and then kicking them all out on their butts.

 

Talk with Regrets Of The Past and Worries About The Future. Find out what they're on about and ask them a few questions. Does Regrets Of The Past have any wisdom to share that might be helpful in the present? Does Worries About The Future have any plans or solutions to offer? 

    

Tell Self Doubt to F--- off. The only way to deal with Self Doubt effectively is to put up really strong boundaries. Let it know, in the most direct and vulgar manner possible, that it's not welcome in your brain.

 

Give Self Pity a Time Out. Empathize with Self Pity and let it express its concerns. Find out why its so upset. Reassure it and make it feel better. Give it a toy to keep it busy.

Sweep Up All Those Shoulds. Collect All Those Shoulds from the corners of your brain and have a look. If you find a few gems, then by all means hang onto them. Throw the rest out the window.

Don't let mental clutter take over. When you find yourself with unwanted guests, take a little time to clean out your brain!

As always, your thoughts are welcome.

Comments

[Sam Bussey]

Jennifer,

What you are talking about in your e-mail could fill a book.

I'm a CPA and over the years many of my clients have become close friends. Some of them hear the continual critical voices of their minds, as I do in my mind, telling them they are not worthy. I am forwarding your advice to them.

We need to confront these negative thoughts head-on, as you suggest.

Thanks.

Sam

[Sharon]

Jennifer,
Thanks for the encouragement today. I woke up with a head full of negativity that has kept my mind whirling. Funny how I read your email only after being at work for an hour. It was just what I needed and I'm sure I will read it again one or two more times today! I never knew that other people could actually relate to myself so well. Thanks again for a wonderful website full of sound advice and support.
Sincerely,
Sharon

[Mntarheel]

Hey Jen,
I'm so glad I checked my email and found your entry today. I have it printed & up where I can see it. Once again you are able to clearly describe my brains. Many of those "guests" have been in my brain for way too long. Trouble is, I don't really remember inviting them - even for a visit. They are apparently some type of 'shape-shifter'. In the begining they seemed nice enough - offering "little" suggestions, giving "friendly" advice, that sort of thing. But once they were established, they became the ANTs that they are & showed no sign of leaving.
Thanks for reminding me how to give them eviction papers!
Mntarheel (Don't faint)

[Gay Anne Ewing]

Hi Jen, I love all the emails and books, I was the one who first bought your book and you wanted my opinion. Can I have this workshop for free??? Would love that, I am an older lady, on disability, partly from having ADD and cannot keep a job, damn that authority, I know EVERYTHING :) I wish, huh?
Then I got psoriasis and my hands are a mess, so I can't work on many jobs, and lastly I was attacked and almost killed in 2001 and still have PTSS, and other hang ups like not going out at night, he was caught and punished and I am in recovery for the rest of my life, I love to be helpful - I am in CT, can I VOLUNTEER here or start or be in ADD group?? Let me know, I do not work and have the time,. Lov Ya, Gay

[Gay Anne Ewing]

Hi Jen, I love all the emails and books, I was the one who first bought your book and you wanted my opinion. Can I have this workshop for free??? Would love that, I am an older lady, on disability, partly from having ADD and cannot keep a job, damn that authority, I know EVERYTHING :) I wish, huh?
Then I got psoriasis and my hands are a mess, so I can't work on many jobs, and lastly I was attacked and almost killed in 2001 and still have PTSS, and other hang ups like not going out at night, he was caught and punished and I am in recovery for the rest of my life, I love to be helpful - I am in CT, can I VOLUNTEER here or start or be in ADD group?? Let me know, I do not work and have the time,. Lov Ya, Gay