Just read a great article titled, “Forever Losing Things? Does that Mean You’re Losing Your Mind?” by Linda Sapadin, Ph.D.  The article was of great interest to me as a chronic loser of keys, books, files and anything else I happen to care about!  Thank goodness the diagnosis wasn’t that I have lost my mind, but that I am one of many busy people on the planet with lots of things taking up space in my brain.  Attention deficit disorder you say? Apparently a much overused diagnosis! Perhaps it’s just a bit of anxiety combined with lots of things to do during the holidays and my own bad habits.

Yes, I prefer that diagnosis to the one you need meds for!  So, what can you and I do to fix this problem this busy holiday season?  Dr. Sapadin recommends 6 steps:  1) calm down and stop panicking – you probably just misplaced what you’re looking for and it will show up sooner or later.  2)  Scan the environment before you leave it – look around and behind.   3) Begin your change program with your problem area (i.e. like your keys!) Designate a place for your most misplaced item.  4) Manage your new habit with a simple song (keys for instance) – “My keys are safe, I now have faith, they no longer roam from their new home“.   She says it takes time to train your brain, and songs help solidify the new behavior. 5) What else gives you problems, phone?  Use the location device in your phone as a fail safe – it will help take the anxiety away  – especially now with phones costing over $500.00!  Find your other problem children new homes as well.  6) Establish new routines, one by one.  Give yourself some time for these changes.  Remember each new habit takes about a month of daily use to establish, but you will be happier once you’re not wandering aimlessly around your abode in search of what you just had in your hand.