When the Tools That Are Supposed to Help Become Another Thing to Manage
I have tried a lot of organizational systems over the years. And when I say a lot, I mean enough that I could probably open a small museum dedicated entirely to the different ways I’ve attempted to get my life together. Bullet journals. Notebooks. Planners. Sticky notes covering my desk and computer. A reminders app […]
Why Transitions Can Take More Energy Than the Things on Either Side
There are times when I genuinely don’t mind doing the thing I’m supposed to do. That’s what makes this so annoying. I don’t mind taking a shower. I don’t mind going to the grocery store. I don’t mind sitting down to work. I don’t even necessarily mind leaving the house. And yet, there are days […]
Why Knowing the Next Step Matters More Than Knowing the Whole Plan
I love a good plan. Color-coded calendar? Absolutely. Detailed list? Obviously. A beautifully organized system explaining exactly how I’m going to accomplish everything over the next three weeks? Look at me. Thriving. Now ask me what I’m supposed to do first. Suddenly we’re experiencing technical difficulties. There is something incredibly satisfying about knowing the whole […]
Sometimes You Don’t Know You’re Overwhelmed Until You Stop
Have you ever had one of those weeks where you’re doing fine? Busy, definitely. Maybe a little tired. But fine. You’re answering emails. Going to work. Making dinner. Remembering appointments. Having conversations. Handling whatever gets thrown at you. You’re functioning. And then Saturday morning comes. You don’t have anywhere you need to be. Nobody needs […]
Executive Function Isn’t About Intelligence
One of the comments I heard most often while Gabe was growing up sounded like a compliment. “He’s so smart.” And he is. He’s curious. He notices details other people miss. He can have incredibly thoughtful conversations, especially about topics that interest him. When something clicks, it really clicks. But those same conversations often ended […]
Why One Task Feels Like 17 Steps
“It’s just one task.” It’s a phrase that gets used often, usually with good intentions. The goal is to simplify something that feels overwhelming. But for many neurodivergent individuals, that phrase doesn’t match the reality of how tasks are experienced. Because what looks like one task on the outside rarely feels that way on the […]
Knowing What to Do Doesn’t Mean You Can Do It
It’s one of the most frustrating experiences for both individuals and the people supporting them. You know what needs to be done. You understand the assignment, the expectation, or the next step. On paper, everything is clear. And yet, despite that understanding, nothing happens. This gap between knowing and doing is often misunderstood. It’s easy […]
How to Make Tasks Easier to Start
Starting is often the hardest part. Not because the task itself is difficult, but because getting to the point of beginning requires more than just intention. It requires clarity, structure, and a clear understanding of what to do next. When those pieces aren’t in place, even simple tasks can feel impossible to begin. Why […]
Why Small Tasks Feel So Overwhelming
There’s a moment that happens more often than people talk about. You look at a task that, logically, should be simple. It doesn’t seem complicated. It doesn’t seem like it should take long. And yet, when you sit down to start, it feels much bigger than it actually is. That experience can be confusing, especially […]
Getting Started is the Hardest Part: A Real Talk on Task Initiation
Task initiation is the ability to start a task — not just knowing it needs to be done but actually beginning it. It’s a key part of executive functioning and involves overcoming the inertia between “I should” and “I’m doing it.”
English