How to plan your weekly tasks to avoid overwhelm
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
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Despite putting so much effort into TRYING, knowing how to plan your weekly tasks when you have adhd or autism can sometimes leave us adrift in a sea of (well-meaning) advice.
I can’t count the number of cleaning schedules I’ve pinned on Pinterest or systems that seem to only work for these superhuman housekeeping machines.
Executive dysfunction in adults with autism and ADHD is easily dismissed as lazyness from the outside by people who don’t understand what it’s like to live with our minds.
So finding executive functioning strategies that work can be difficult and involve a lot of trial and error.
I’ve developed this template to help me manage my weekly tasks and it works because:
- It’s flexible, so the system doesn’t fall apart if I miss a day… or two
- It allows for co-operation and gamification (if you and your partner/housemates are competitive like that)
- You can easily see when a task was last completed without having to visually keep an eye on the state of things (something I used to do as my primary strategy)
Let me know if you have a strategy, and how it works for you.
I definitely would like to see more videos about executive functioning, because that's my biggest hurdle.
Thanks, I will try to make more since they are popular!
Me too
Me too :)
Me too
Absolutely mine as well. I am 35, tested but results inconclusive for ADHD, and I believe I am getting closer to figuring it out. At the end of the day, though, at age 35 I am comfortable with who I am as an individual, but my deficits in EF are what get me every time.
I recently started writing down EVERYTHING that I want to do, to save, to research, every smallest thing. It's a messy little notebook but it's helping me a lot.
I recently started doing this too! It helps to structure my day and its great! It also helps me doing things i like doing (art or music for example) instead of staying on my phone ect
I do this, too. But I have like 10 different places, paper and digital.
Helpful or unhelpful because then I have to find what is where lol
I'm drowning in executive dysfunction issues, I'm autistic with ADHD , I have an autistic daughter also, I'm always trying to figure out ways of organising the house etc xx
What helped me the most til now was buying a lightweight wireless vacuum cleaner and place it in a high traffic room of my apartment. The old vacuum was just too heavy, too loud and hard to reach in my storage room because the room is crammed (vacuum is big so it can’t be placed in the rest of my tiny apartment. A big plus for me is that the wireless vacuum has a charge for about 45 minutes of intense cleaning. I never know when to stop with a task and easily get frustrated if I don’t have a time limit. This way I always vacuum til the batteries are empty and then take a break or switch to another task.
I feel like I need a light wireless vacuum too. especially as my house is old and bugger all powerpoints.
This is great! Im definitely doing this when i move out! Thank you for the tip :-)
I find using a dust buster or re-chargeable hand vac really helpful too! Instead of lugging out my regular vacuum in my small apt and always moving the cord out of the way, grabbing the hand vac to quickly clean something and then letting it spiral into cleaning until the battery dies is really efficient for me and I tend to clean way more often! I first started using it when I was really pregnant and just kept on using the hand vac instead!
Your voice is so pleasant, your accent as well. I love how eloquent you are, and your sense of humour is so on point 🥰
Exactly!! :)
Yes, please have more executive function videos! 😄
I'll try... If I can organise myself hahaha
Ah! Just had to say my name is Carly Megan :) so I did a dbl take at your comment
This frustration has been my life for decades. Thank you for suggesting a system that just might help.
I'm still looking for a strategy that works for me. I'm going to try yours. Thank you for your videos! I am 37 and was diagnosed last October. I'm learning so much about myself. Now that I finally understand myself, I have had to start all over in life to find out what works best for me.
Me too! Let me know how you get on with it!
5:19 and that's when I immediately hit the like button. Because I have the same sense of humor in my head...only in my head.
PLEASE add more like this. I've been juggling bullet journals for years. They're great at first, but then it gets overwhelming to keep up with and it can be discouraging seeing all the missed goals at the end of each month. I would love to know more atypical-friendly organization tips.
I really need to try this! I'm very very very VERY bad at cleaning around. I don't like being dirty (as many of my family said), I just don't have the energy and the mental capacity to remember to do things and when they are too much I just can't start. My psychologist is trying to help me giving me weekly tasks, one chore that I need to prioritize and if I have done it than good, I'm getting better. But even if I completed that task seeing everything else in chaos makes me incapable of being happy.
I tried with bullet journal, days designated for tasks, I tried everything and nothing worked for me! So if your method works I will find you and give you a really big kiss! ... from my mom too because she is not coming to my home because of the cleaning problem. What a mess!
p.s. with daily tasks, like washing the dishes, or things that you need to do when certain condition are met (like taking out the trash when the bin is full) how do you track those? Thank you
I takled the daily tasks by a routine. Like the dishes are done a half hour after diner and the trash I Always do on saterday even if the bag is not full. Is the bag full in between I just change it after the dishes. This works for me.
@@cityhomestead4490 wow, so simple and so elegant!
The trick is developing habits and routines that feel natural so you don’t even think about them. To start, identify things you already do without fail, and then think of things that you need to do daily. Try to match items in both lists so they make sense to be done one after the other. To make it even easier, create reminders for yourself. For example, if you struggle with staying on top of dishes but make your coffee without fail, make a rule that you will always unload the dishwasher while the coffee is brewing and, if the dishwasher is already empty, you will load it. You can put a PostIt on the coffee maker, your favorite mug, or the cabinet where you store the coffee beans as a reminder.
Wow, I can totally relate to what you're saying! I'm subbed! I have Asperger's and ADHD, and my single (!) household overwhelms me. Total horror is my snail mail box. I've just learned to manage it, some, that is. I cannot always figure out what those folks who send (unwanted) mail really want. There is a load of words in convoluted sentences, instead of a clear list of what is expected from me. No, I'm not dyslexic. I don't always have the nerves to call the sender and ask what is wanted.
My main difficulty is prioritizing. I put a task at the top of my list, then an uncontrollable event occurs, and I should re-order the priorities. Heck, what criteria do you use to reset the priorities? This decision is tough. Is there a set of criteria that are always valid? I need to be sure that my decision is correct. When I start a task, I want to complete it to the end before I start the next one. I definitely cannot perform multitasking. If required, it drives me nuts.
Yes, please do some more videos on executive (dis)function! Happy holidays!
Try to split task into smaller ones and just do one at a time. Maybe it will help you. Most importantly is to just do someting. And for priorities maybe fust pick randomly and try to do. Like I am doing... And my finger points to task 31 and OK I am doing that one for today.
The worst for me is when one of my kids needs to stay home sick, so my plan for the day goes out the window and then I have no idea what to do with myself. Take care of the kid(s) plus get something accomplished... 😬 Re-ordering my day when kid(s) are talking to me doesn't help me figure things out any better either... lol.
Please more executive functioning videos. Maybe digital task management -- emails, purging, organizing.
Yes! Please do more on executive functioning. I struggle a lot in this area :)
I have severe ADHD and I'm blown away. We did 2 things when it was clear I couldn't manage life. We went minimalist on almost everything and we got a floor cleaning robot. This way my stuff is well tucked away and I only need to pick it up if it no longer fits into the storage space designated to it. My husband and 6yo can clean too because it's all minimal and easy. The robot does the floors. We have little to dust but I do it monthly-ish. I keep a bullet journal but not for household tasks because those have designated moments in the week, like Saturday morning. Loved your video, please keep making these. 😊
I'm so proud of myself for finding out something similar to this system on my own in April after about 10 years of trouble with executive functioning. This came forth after a discussion with my partner over how long ago I last did the toilet. It was as proof for him I wrote down when I last did tasks, but very soon I found that this knowledge actually helped me! I never realized how big of a role my poor time management played in executive dysfunction, I didn't even know that it was part of executive function until you mentioned. I put all my tasks in an Excel sheet and did some automation mumbo jumbo to color code things based on how long ago they were done and how often I want them done. This helps me see priority in the blink of an eye. My house is still not immaculate, but that was never the point. I finally feel in control! Little things that I didn't even think about before now get done on a weekly basis (like changing the towels in both bathroom and kitchen). Slowly, I'm starting to lump tasks together, like changing the bedsheets and dusting the bedroom.
Thank you for sharing a template!
You're welcome!
Yes. Cover every part of executive function please 😊
Please do a video on planning a monthly and weekly calendar. I saw your video was only addressing home tasks. I already do flylady for my cleaning, but I am hopeless for remembering important appointments and I'm sure my children's teachers look at me with pity 😰😭 I've bought calendar after calendar and over the year I look at them and they're empty. I hate spending money on an expensive "good" planner because it's a waste of money. 😭😭😭
I really don’t like planners because I keep forgetting to fill them in and check them! I instead use the “reminder” app that’s on your phone! (If you’ve got an iPhone, there’s also probably apps that you can download). The reminder app is also great because you can organize your reminders. I for example have one folder for daily things, like taking my medicine. And then I have another one for things that isn’t in my daily routine, such as assignments, meetings ect. I also like using the phone planner for future things and also alarms. I prefer these because I always have my phone with me and they’ll notify me! It works wonders because I’m constantly reminded of the things I need to do :-)
I want to thank you for all of your content you've shared. It has been incredibly helpful. I started watching your videos 4 months ago when I first learned that autism in adults was even a thing. Today I was officially diagnosed. This journey has been eye opening, difficult, exhausting, but also a huge relief.
I too must find a better way to manage a clean house as it feels like these tasks are constantly lurking around the corner but rarely accomplished. Pre-covid the occasional guest would force a lot of the household chores to get done before their arrival. Post covid, there is always tomorrow!
Yes, guests forced my brain to get in cleaning mode.
Great video! My daughter and I both have autism and I struggle quite a bit with executive function. My family has been using an app called Tody and have my tasks organized similarly to what you have here. Each household member has a different icon and tasks can be assigned to a certain person or rotated through all of us. So far it is working well for us.
I'm using this method for months and since then my house is clean. Thank you for this great tip! Before that I always felt like ''Didn't I just clean the toilet 2 days ago, how did it get dirty so quickly?'' Now I understand that it wasn't 2 days ago :/ but it felt like it. Anyways I made a list of things that I think they need to be done no matter what (like cleaning the toilet). It's not very long so I don't get exhausted. It took a lot of weight from my shoulders because I don't need to think twice about these tasks anymore! Thanks again!
Omg I really identify with this! I literally didn’t think I could be autistic because I thought of the stereotype of (usually) boys who are obsessed with routines and planning everything to the last detail. But I’m ridiculously disorganised about certain things like household, emails, admin tasks in work, etc etc. I’ve now realised that ASD explains so many things I could never name like my sensory sensitivities, but also weird quirks (stimming), social weirdness (info dumping, scripting etc) and now laziness and disorganisation (executive dysfunction). I’m defo going to try this system. Thank you!
Ironically, I was better at keeping the house clean when I had a part time job because I would do one or at most two things before work. For example, I would sweep the floor but save the mopping for later. Or I would wash the dishes then let them air dry in the dish rack instead of putting them away also. Or I would clean the bathroom sink and save the tub, the toilet and the floor for another time. Then I would go to work guilt free knowing that I had done the best I could under the time constraints I was working under. Plus only committing to one or two things at most helped me not to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of having to do everything at once. Thank you Samdy Sam for bringing this issue to the forefront.
Ordering groceries online for pickup or delivery has helped my Aspie adult daughter with that task.
Just have to work on a system for...
The laundry.
The dishes.
The trash and recycling.
The cleaning.
My mom actually used to have a paper on the door to the laundry room/next to the washing machine listing the steps (including different types of laundry if necessary) which was very helpful to learning as a teenager. :)
I also love having a whiteboard near the entrance and putting tasks on there - it's easy and quick to write down; you see it... :)
I usually do dishes as soon as I'm finished using them. (It helps if you have a dishwasher so you can just put them all in as you go,) but I lived with a bunch of NASTY asshole roommates who'd get on me for leaving my dishes out there... but they'd leave theirs in the sink longer than me.
Anyway, I learned to clean up as I cooked (if I was waiting for water to boil or something), And it's been really helpful for me because even when I meal prep for a couple hours and stock up for the week, (which burns me out, so I still need a better system for that~ but) I don't have to deal with dirty dishes when I'm still recovering! I already got it done >:3
@@MythicGirl2210
When I had roommates, we solved the "do your dishes" issue by each having a different colored dish pan on the counter.
Each person placed their dirty dishes in their own bin and could do their own dishes when they got to them. They were out of the way of others using the sink....covered with a dish towel.
We had a large kitchen with lot of counter space.
@@ithacacomments4811 That sounds so ideal~ 😭 My roommates were super unreasonable, so nothing like that could've ever happened...
But I know that with my burnout specifically, it would be around a week before I got to my dishes (since I already cooked). But that's just me.
yesss!!!!! More executive function vids please!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Love u
Yes! Definitely more videos ♥️ perfect timing ♥️ I’m starting your system right now 😊 see how it goes
This is great! I actually found a paper planner-like habit tracker on Amazon for about $5. You can set the month on it and it has Daily, Weekly, and Month spots. For that reason...I can see when I last did it.
Yes please more videos on executive functioning!!!
You're a star! Thank you for the template! I'm gonna try it out!
I'm all for more executive function videos! :-) Funny things is, I actually developed a similar system myself, because I'm a technical translator. I translate maintenance schedules for machinery and it occurred to me one day that I might create something similar at home :-)
I’m looking forward to trying this. Thanks Sam ☺️
Oh I used to do this exact thing and found it really helpful, time to revive for sure. It also cuts down on the frustration I feel when my partner can't tell what needs to be done and to me every bit of dust is screaming at me and contributing to the mental noise to the point I'm overwhelmed. He can clearly see what he can do. I'm so overwhelmed at the moment. The marathon cleaning seems near constant.
"List all the household tasks that need done on a weekly basis in an ideal world." Great, now I'm overwhelmed at the list.
More of your tips please. I'm a mess with my executive functions.
Yes definitely more on executive function.
Yes please. I am finding these executive functioning videos very helpful. Thank you and bless you for helping with tips and tricks. Keep up the good work.👍😁
I've always used my own planning lists over a conventional planner. I make a new list every week and put a minimum of 1 chore on every day, with the estimate of 30 minutes like you do. Sometimes I will even plan "empty space", because it allows me to be lazy, but i'll usually end up doing something anyway and I'll get to fill in the empty space on the day itself. I'll feel especially accomplished on those days for doing something I didn't even plan. And i'ts sort of a log at the same time.
Sunday's are the days I have the most energy, so I tend to do a lot of my weekly chores then, mostley in the mornings and then I rest to prepare for the dreaded monday. I hate doing chores in the evenings ....I have no energy or willpower left to do chores, but I do indulge in my interests/selfcare in the evenings.
Start the day with something you really like, and end the day with something you really like is my advice.
Also every morning I light a tealight with my breakfast, I look at the candle while eating/drinking (no screens or tech) . It's very calming and a little bit of a symbol to start and control my inner fire and burn my energy steadily. It works for me...I don't know why. You can light a candle for many reasons, so I always find it worth it for whatever reason. I Light a candle because I feel sad, happy, anxious or just because I like candles.
I love this so much
Planning/organizing is almost never my problem luckily - it (and my very good working memory) has been able to help me compensate for some of my other issues at least. Starting tasks, staying on task, time-management, and task switching are some of my problem areas (especially the initiation)
Thank you for this and can't wait to give this a try!!
Yes! Please more videos on executive function!!!!❤
It would be great if you did some more video's on executive functioning as this is the one thing that bothers me the most that I would like help with/like to improve.
Which areas of executive functioning would you like me to cover?
@@YoSamdySam I really loved the template as the excel one allows me to customise. I would like to know more about how you prioritise what is important, and how to overcome barriers when finding it hard to start the task, and knowing when to stop. I have a habit of doing nothing, and then a one off cleaning/laundry spree that leaves me exhausted. Even just hearing your experiences managing these issues is really helpful as before it was suggested I was autistic a few months ago, I did not know what executive function was, and thought i was lazy or incapable somehow. Plus i really loved your cleaning videos, and all of your other videos! It's been really helpful finding your channel. Thank you.
Thank you so, so, SO much for this. I haven’t tried it yet (am still in active burnout) but so much of what you’ve said here is resonating- household chores have always been a nightmare for me- and I think it might be helpful for me going forward to try this system. Actually, thank you for your videos in general. 💖
Thank you for this video. I’m autistic and I have ADHD and I struggle a lot with executive functioning. I’m in college and I’m always struggling to get my work done on time, organize my dorm and remember to do important daily tasks like putting on deodorant or wash my face. Recently I’ve start to use a calendar notebook where I write out everything that I need to do each day for a week such as classes and clubs. Then I’ll write in when I should do homework, study and take care of my self. This isn’t perfect and I still struggle with this but less than before.
Oh dear more recognizable content. My husband also being ADHD I feel the same - it falls to me.
Thank you for your post. I am very interested in this topic!
Thank you! One suggestion: Some of your viewers will like it if you get to the meat of the video earlier. With this one, it did not show up in the video until 3 minutes and 38 seconds into the video.
Yea I do exactly that, rely on random bursts of motivation and energy, my notes are messier than my room though, and my board is also messy but for whatever I have a hard time erasing whats on there thinking its valuable
Wow! Thank you again!! 💡
😂😂😂 the double entendre caught me off guard
I've been looking for something like this!
Thank you so much for this, I need this soo much.
Sam, you are my autism mentor 🙌🏼
Thanks for another wonderful video!
My husband and I have a very similar system (though our table has 31 days instead of 5 weeks and includes daily/more than weekly chores). :)
I really enjoy listening to you and feel supported from afar/unbeknownst! :D
I would like to have more videos about this subject. Executive functions.
This sounds really helpful, ill definetly try!
Why had I not thought about this!?!?! Everything you say happens to me. Period, episode, illness. If I am out one day its hard to start again.
Hello Sammy
As far as organizing goes - because I know that you can take from the lifetime of knowledge you’ve built upon - when it came to the “final countdown” of weeding out what worked , what didn’t , then converging both of those things to everything I decided I was keeping in order to make use of all my workable knowledge (it’s the practical use that sometimes escapes us), I found one way to do it and kept it that way. I’m sure you have gathered enough workable knowledge (that can include certain types of pens and the tasks they’re best for) to be able to put together good systems out of all the knowledge you have attained thus far.
I find one way of organizing things and just leave it that way. Then the issues that come about (because as you know, life is unpredictable) are really only about space and space modifications(which can become just as easy as adding a shelf)
I hope that helps
Alysian
And yes please on the topic
This is great. Thank you!
That's what she said LMAO!!!! And also, yes please more executive function videos.
Hi 🙂. Appreciate your videos. Thank you.
I love this! More on executive function please! X
A simple device I would like to use consists of one column, the present day and the list of the 3 to 4 tasks I wish to get done. However what one has never prioritised may lapse, that is overlooked for the period up to 6 months,to one year!
Thank you!!!
I love this idea, I struggle to organize my task
Yes please. X
I don't know if the book's available in the UK, but the Sidetracked Home Executives system (organizedhome.com/shes-organized) of using index cards for tasks can be really helpful, if a person doesn't get too caught up in setting up a perfect card file. Also, FlyLady's approach to developing habits (www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/) and her "flywashing" affirmations can be really helpful for some. I think the tricky part to almost any system that substitutes for inborn executive function is that it can work really well for a while and then after some time, starts to lose effectiveness because someone else's system is always going to be an imperfect fit for what we need--plus what we need changes over time as our situations change (work, kids, partner, health, age). Good luck to you with your system here!
I know a lot of people swear by Fly Lady but I found it hard to follow. The obsession with the kitchen sink always confused me too! 😂
My apartment is just a rotating area of clear space. I just seem to move things from one space to the other. I’ll try this and see if it helps me with the overwhelm.
giriasis omg same!!!!! Rotating piles
I think this is a hot topic since unfortunately I am having trouble getting help in person with this repeated request, so you are an angel for sending this out, THANKS!! More please, perhaps what are some routines you do if any, or is it mishmash like me? Have you talked about sleep hygeine?
Yes! More please!!!!!!
Could you say more about your experience with the Northern European Protestant work ethic mentality? And how it differs from the UK? As an American I’m very interested, as I’m still recovering from the Protestant work ethic obsession.
It's effectively working harder even when working harder might not be the correct course of action. Sometimes the correct course of action is to either give up on it, cut some corners, or outsource the work to somebody else. Often times the correct answer is to eliminate, automate or delegate. Unfortunately, with executive functioning challenges, it can be hard to do any of those things, or even define a task in a way that you could do any of those things, but each thing that you can do one of those with, is just that much easier in life. And you may even be able to trade a task that you suck at for one that's a bit easier and have both parties coming out ahead of where they would have been.
I've been learning how to use automation software to make the repetitive tasks that should be done on my computer done without me having to do the work. I was able to make it rename all my payslips based on the appropriate paydate with just a couple button presses rather than having to manually do it. It probably took about as long to do as it would have to do the work, but the next time I have a payslip, or more likely a pile of them, I'll be able to get them all done with the press of a button.
Thank you sooooo much indeed for this video and your udeas and your template.. it is realky helpfful and I cannit fubd the wirds to thank you enough.
Procastrination. I frustrate myself so much. I can plan and organise. I just sc and getting into gear.
Tidying up. Nothing is on the spot where it needs to be lol.
More executive functioning please!
i started organized things by category and grouping items if that makes sense. like marie kondo says organize clothes so i'll start with the clothes in my closet and then other locations. i just started and its working amazing!
"Moon Time" is a great book
Hi! I love this idea and am excited to try it! I used the link below the video, but it didn't give me access to the document you use. Would it be possible to share that document again?
What?! Clearing out email, download folder?? What does that even mean? Gmail never run out of space, and the download folder is empty each time I buy a new computer, right? Do people really reorganize their downloaded files? Isn't that what find and grep is for...
I don't clear out my download folder (because my computer's weird and even when I move the files, it still uses the location in my download folder.. -_-). But my e-mail and voicemails build up because I don't check them regularly. Just last week I cleared more than 4,000 e-mails in my inbox that I'd never checked... ^^'
Please do more executive function videos!!
very helpful ty
It's 8 months after your request but yes bring on more EF videos please.
This could help me with my autism spectrum disorder.
Nice- can you do a video on managing other tasks eg for students managing revision and schoolwork w/o falling behind?
You mean like "How to stay organised for school/university?"
@@YoSamdySam Yup that sort of thing
For more inspiration, look to Don Aslett's excellent books including "Make Your House Do the Housework", "Clutter's Last Stand", and "How to Do 1,000 Things at Once"
Thank you very much ! I hope it'll be usefull for me :)
I so needed this today. do you have a template? lol
I have an etymological issue with the word "dusting". It can mean both "to remove dust from something" and "to sprinkle dust onto something".
Yes, some other words do that too, but they annoy me as well.
This is sooo helpful 🌹💕
This is my biggest problem! In University I want to make more exams as possible but I can't manage them and I can to study only for 1 exam at time and I need too much time !
I need find a solution to schedule in a effective way to maximize my productivity!!
And tobacco smoke and high UV from sun give me high levels of distress and meltdowns!
I need to live with fresh, clean air and in a place with very weak light from Sun !!
I'm almost 30 and I never found a way to stick to cleaniing (usually it works for like 2 weeks).
Also I can't put things away 'cause then I don't know where they are.....
I'll try this thanks :)
I'm not the best at that, but if it takes any thinking about where something belongs, you probably won't put it back. And it's usually better to make it easier to store something than it is to retrieve it. It might be easy to find a CD or book if it's in alphabetical order, but you're probably more likely to put it away if you just have to put it on the A-G shelf or the 1990s music bin. And if you've got label maker, that's a great use of it, so you don't have to remember. With CDs, you can even put the label inside the jewel case facing out so that it doesn't get messed up when you're putting it away and taking it out again.
Now, if I can just convince my wife that a system that works for me is vastly superior to her doing a garbage job of organizing things knowing that I'll be stuck taking absolutely everything out when I need something because she has no idea what she did with it, or even what it is that I'm looking for.
I've just recently bought some big ass whiteboards to jot down tasks and the status of things
Stephanie Bethel got me here subbed. Thank you
Thank you for subscribing!
Nice for you to have some competition with your householdmembers, but what if you live alone? Any idea to get incentives?
Thanks for this! I don't know for sure if I am autistic, I do know for sure have some autistic traits and I do know for sure I am at least neurodiverse. But this will really help me. :D
Would you be willing to share measurements for A3 etc paper? In the U.S. we don't use those designations much. Thanks.
I used the link, but didn't get a template yet. Where can I get it? thank you!
2:25 Christ, I'm the same! 🤦🏻♀️
More EF hacks, please!
Beating around the bush
Hi! I subscribed to your mailing list but didnt receive the template. How do I get it?
wait... I'm not the only one who can suddenly end up having no idea what to do?