I need my own space.

[amberlyrose]

I've been doing shit at my job lately and I've been trying to figure out ways to fix it because things are going to get crazy and I'm going to be even more overwhelmed. I know I have ADD and have been using different techniques to get myself organized, but it doesn't work because I WFH and I don't have a space of my own. We live in a 1 bd condo, so I can't lock myself away from clutter or dishes or laundry. If I make a list of to-do's, it has to be moved so I can eat dinner. Of course, I always misplace it or just forget about it, so it doesn't really help.
I don't have an office space at work that I can do this in either. We have shared cubicles that we reserve on a daily basis, so someone could sit in my "cube" every other day. The office isn't always open, either. 
I'm at the end of my rope and wondering if I should start looking for a traditional job again, which is overwhelming in itself.  Or we could move, which I would like anyway, but I know DH loves our current place and moving in this market would be crazy.

I love love love living in a small space and if I had an office to go to every day, I'd live in 300 sq ft with DH without issue. 

Add to this that my computer's mouse freezes every 15 minutes and I just can't anymore. I need something to change. 

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 14:13:27 GMT -5 @aliciaroset said:

Does your city have a co-working place you could go to?

they do, a few of them actually. It'd be the same as my office though- shared space that I have to reserve daily or weekly.

[lilac05]

Do you have a library nearby where you could reserve a room and work there?

Also, have you considered medication for your ADHD? Even just trying them for a bit may help you learn to use your techniques more successfully, and then you can try and wean off of them again.

I struggle professionally with my ADHD tendencies, too. Right now, I SAH, but eventually I'd love to have my own therapy business. As of right now, I just know it wouldn't be a good fit for me unless I get my ADHD under control. I watched my dad run a business into the ground because of the same tendencies.

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 14:16:41 GMT -5 @aliciaroset said:

Jul 13, 2015 14:15:33 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

they do, a few of them actually. It'd be the same as my office though- shared space that I have to reserve daily or weekly.

Sure. It must be tough not being able to set stuff up the way you want it to be.

I wish it didn't bug me so much. DH can set up camp anywhere and work but I have to get everything set up to my liking and then hope it works. 

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 14:21:53 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Do you have a library nearby where you could reserve a room and work there?

Also, have you considered medication for your ADHD? Even just trying them for a bit may help you learn to use your techniques more successfully, and then you can try and wean off of them again.

I struggle professionally with my ADHD tendencies, too. Right now, I SAH, but eventually I'd love to have my own therapy business. As of right now, I just know it wouldn't be a good fit for me unless I get my ADHD under control. I watched my dad run a business into the ground because of the same tendencies.

I've considered it and even had a counselor at one point, but I didn't like her and stopped going. I just logged into the health insurance site to see if I can find someone new. 

[ijack]

I have ADHD and I wouldn't be able to function well either. I also haven't had much luck in finding anyone that has much experience with adult ADHD

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 14:32:12 GMT -5 ijack said:

I have ADHD and I wouldn't be able to function well either. I also haven't had much luck in finding anyone that has much experience with adult ADHD

I think it is the one thing we lack in Denver. There was one time I called everyone I could within my area and no one was taking patients. I had to go out to Greenwood Village for the one counselor I did find and I didn't like her. 

[lilac05]

Good luck! It's really hard to accept that sometimes it's beyond our control. I think in some ways, ADHD is like depression. Some people can deal with it alone, and are able to make techniques, systems, or mantras work for them. Others need a pharmacological approach. Many need a combination of both. Telling someone who is clinically depressed to "think happy" or any other DIY strategy is so offensive...yet with ADHD, it's somehow different. People think if you "just" do XYZ, you'll be able to focus just like them. It just doesn't work that way a majority of the time.

I totally hear you about being envious of others' ability to focus and get stuff done! I WANT to do that, too...but I just can't...yet.

I hope you find someone who is a better fit for you.

[amberlyrose]

Thanks, lilac05.
I wish my DH could understand, too.

[ijack]

Jul 13, 2015 14:35:29 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Jul 13, 2015 14:32:12 GMT -5 ijack said:

I have ADHD and I wouldn't be able to function well either. I also haven't had much luck in finding anyone that has much experience with adult ADHD

I think it is the one thing we lack in Denver. There was one time I called everyone I could within my area and no one was taking patients. I had to go out to Greenwood Village for the one counselor I did find and I didn't like her. 

Yep. I'm actually waiting on a referral from my PCP, but it involves another "behavioral health assessment." Adderall isn't really doing much, but the lady who prescribes my meds doesn't really know much about the other options. I'm really hoping my PCP can come through with someone who actually works with ADHD adults. If I find someone I'll let you know!

[ijack]

Having him read about ADHD might help too
www.amazon.com/ADHD-Effect-Marriage-Understand-Relationship/dp/1886941971/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1436816913&sr=8-12&keywords=adhd

[papie]

Is there any way you could set up a small desk for work? Like behind a couch, or in an awkward corner, or something? I tried working at the DR table for a few months and it didn't work because of what you described.  I can't install and pick up my stuff every day and still be efficient   I was lucky enough that we could convert our kitchen eat-in space into an office. 

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 14:47:39 GMT -5 ijack said:

Jul 13, 2015 14:35:29 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

I think it is the one thing we lack in Denver. There was one time I called everyone I could within my area and no one was taking patients. I had to go out to Greenwood Village for the one counselor I did find and I didn't like her. 

Yep. I'm actually waiting on a referral from my PCP, but it involves another "behavioral health assessment." Adderall isn't really doing much, but the lady who prescribes my meds doesn't really know much about the other options. I'm really hoping my PCP can come through with someone who actually works with ADHD adults. If I find someone I'll let you know!

Thanks! I hope you find something that works for you.

[poopedydoop]

Is there a way you could make yourself a small enclosed work area in your apartment? With a small desk and a room divider in a corner? I know you said your place was small, but you can really work wonders with small spaces.

[WOT?*]

What about setting up a notebook or filing system (such as an accordion folder or filebox, banker's box or briefcase) that you can use as a portable office? Sections off for your to-do, different jobs that need to be done, in-progress, completed for review, etc.? I also have ADD (well, self-diagnosed but with two kids, three grandkids, and at least one sibling with it, my symptoms are pretty simple to diagnose when they've been diagnosed so well in the others, lol.) and this seems to work best for me when I don't have a dedicated space of my own but have to move between places.

I used to keep my son's school books in books by class once he hit "switching between classes and need to get stuff for the next class" grade level. It seems to work best when I keep everything together but apart.   It's something I'm going to have to do with the grands as well, I think, since she's moving on to middle school. Unfortunately we're packers and dumpers and hoarders rather than organizers, but we do what we can.

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 14:53:11 GMT -5 papie said:

Is there any way you could set up a small desk for work? Like behind a couch, or in an awkward corner, or something? I tried working at the DR table for a few months and it didn't work because of what you described.  I can't install and pick up my stuff every day and still be efficient   I was lucky enough that we could convert our kitchen eat-in space into an office. 

I've tried a little table/desk with an office chair in our entry way, but then it ended up being the catch all for stuff coming in. 

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 14:53:53 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

What about setting up a notebook or filing system (such as an accordion folder or filebox, banker's box or briefcase) that you can use as a portable office? Sections off for your to-do, different jobs that need to be done, in-progress, completed for review, etc.? I also have ADD (well, self-diagnosed but with two kids, three grandkids, and at least one sibling with it, my symptoms are pretty simple to diagnose when they've been diagnosed so well in the others, lol.) and this seems to work best for me when I don't have a dedicated space of my own but have to move between places.

I used to keep my son's school books in books by class once he hit "switching between classes and need to get stuff for the next class" grade level. It seems to work best when I keep everything together but apart.   It's something I'm going to have to do with the grands as well, I think, since she's moving on to middle school. Unfortunately we're packers and dumpers and hoarders rather than organizers, but we do what we can.

I do have my laptop bag with everything in it, so that does help me quite a bit. I also keep my notebook in there most of the time. 

[evergreen]

Not sure where in Denver you are, but this building off of Kentucky and Cherry has small offices for rent. It was $250 a month last time I looked.

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 15:41:40 GMT -5 @jezebel said:

I'm sorry I need that, too.

I have plenty of extra space in my office! I'm sure they won't mind. lol

I'm sure my productivity would skyrocket! lol

[isabel]

Jul 13, 2015 15:12:26 GMT -5 evergreen said:

Not sure where in Denver you are, but this building off of Kentucky and Cherry has small offices for rent. It was $250 a month last time I looked.

This is what I was going to suggest. I live around DU and have seen various building with low prices for monthly rent. Seems like it might be worth it to have an actual office to go to everyday.

[RoxMonster]

Would you have room in your condo for something like this?




Set up in a corner or something, maybe even with one of those partition things to set it apart from living space?

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 15:58:24 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

Are you able to reserve a cubicle everyday?

We can do a few days at a time, but not big blocks.

[amberlyrose]

Jul 13, 2015 16:11:03 GMT -5 isabel said:

Jul 13, 2015 15:12:26 GMT -5 evergreen said:

Not sure where in Denver you are, but this building off of Kentucky and Cherry has small offices for rent. It was $250 a month last time I looked.

This is what I was going to suggest. I live around DU and have seen various building with low prices for monthly rent. Seems like it might be worth it to have an actual office to go to everyday.

With the added cost of furnishing, rent, etc. I don't know if it'd be worth it. Plus I don't regularly have access to a car, so it would have to be on LR or downtown.

[BirdGirl]

You mentioned a To Do list, so I'll suggest this: I have a Post It program on my work computer. I started using it for my current job about a year ago and it has really helped me keep track of things. I don't do anything fancy except add any new assignment/upcoming deadline to it. It is always on my desktop so I can't miss it. It has made keeping track of things so much easier because it's right there and it's simple to jot down a reminder.