I was a rubbish cook. Old flatmates remember the time I stuck plastic-handled knives through baking potatoes to speed them up – with toxic results. My signature dish was a casserole mixing tinned tuna, condensed mushroom soup and boiled tatties, topped with crushed crisps. My first husband was Italian – why compete? I’d burn a boiled egg, wandering off to research seasonal folklore. Had I known about the ADHD then, I’d have felt less humiliated and alone.
My second husband got us sharing the cooking, encouraged my efforts, inspired me to recreate my mum’s baking. We cheered on our son’s ventures too. Now we have 50+ recipe books. I’m addicted to scouring newspapers, tearing out spicy Middle Eastern recipes to file (only 3-10 years later) in ring-binders.
Those ADHD Distraction Demons still strike. Recently, I nearly wiped out the family and arriving visitors by absentmindedly flinging in a tablespoon (instead of 1 tsp) of cayenne pepper to dry-fry, long before the recipe said. Those acrid fume-clouds had everyone gasping and weeping, still politely protesting “No, I’m fine…”
Amazingly, I’m still allowed in the kitchen.
It was therapeutic to tell all to our Healthier Habits gang; comforting to hear similar tales of burnt porridge and boiled-dry pasta. Task distraction is our perennial bugbear.
Try our hard-won tips to reduce the risks and stay focused on multistep processes.
- Muster up some motivation – or visualise the rewarding outcome!
- Sneak in some advance prep. I can be stressed/grumpy in the pre- teatime slot – so I often chop veg during a morning coffee-break.
- Estimate the time needed. Double it. Triple the Guardian’s preposterous recipe prep times.
- Get calm first – meditation, a walk, stroking a cat. Slow exhales reassure our anxious brains.
- Move round, fidget if that helps you to focus.
- Start with super-clear directions – ask the boss for clarification, instead of struggling with silent brain shut-down. Read that recipe first – or else, like me, miss that crucial step: “Now marinate for 24 hours/ chill for three hours.” Or that exotic spice unknown to your local shops.
- Locate and line up those tools/ingredients first – or find yourself haring to the corner shop at closing time for double cream.
- Put up “do not disturb” signs. Might work.
- Try enlisting a friend – or Body Doubling app – to help you stay on task.
- Calming sound-effects or instrumental music can create the right mood.
- Energising movement – squats, dancing, whatever – helps switch on our focus.
- Protein snacks or coffee help many of us.
- Forgot to break it into small steps? Do that now.
- Long task? Schedule a wee walk-break or comforting snuggle with a pet.
- Your timer is your friend.
- Disaster struck again? Be kind to yourself, as if to a friend. Better luck next time.
- Share the tale with us. Maybe turn it into a blog or cartoon.
Carol, September 2024