Assign each member of the family a color, then try to purchase as many personal items as you can in those colors letting everyone know their things are the blue or yellow or pink or whatever color they have selected. Items you might be able to include in this system include: toothbrushes, hairbrushes, laundry baskets, bedding supplies, towels and wash cloths, various school supplies, key rings, glass cases, lunch boxes, gloves and hats, backpacks and briefcases and toy boxes. Continue the theme by purchasing colored pens and note paper that match each person’s color, a note on blue paper is for the person who chose blue, an activity written on the calendar with red ink is an activity for the person who chose red, and so on.
Keep a collection of differently colored bins for the various mail your family receives. One color for bills, one for personal correspondence, one for junk mail you might want to read like shopping ads and coupons, and one for mail you are ready to stamp and mail.
Buy different colored filing folders for each main category of information you need to file. Try to select colors that remind you of the category.
(a) Automobile information — warranties, the rental or purchase contracts, repair records, and payment books kept in a color-coded file that matches the color of your favorite car.
(b) Credit card and checkbook records — credit card information including photocopies of your payment agreements, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers you need should your credit cards or checks get lost or stolen; other general financial contract payment agreements; copies of paid bills and receipts; checkbook information, including your bank account number and the name, addresses and telephone numbers of your bank kept in a color-coded file that matches the color of your favorite currency.
(c) Family documents — wills; birth, marriage, baptism and death certificates; divorce papers; diplomas and any other personal information numbers or licenses kept in a color-coded file that matches the color of your eyes.
(d) Financial records — insurance policy papers; investment papers; the names, telephone numbers and addresses of the people who broker or maintain your accounts kept in a color-coded file that matches the color of your checks or checkbook.
(e) Health records — immunization records, hospitalization records, medical procedure records, histories of family illnesses, allergy records and lists of medications you have taken kept in a color coded file that matches the color of the red cross found on most first aid kits.
(f) Household products information — warranties, proper care and handling instructions, and authorized service centers kept in a color coded file that matches the color of your refrigerator.
How to avoid shopping centers and other crowded places that typically contribute to sensory overload
These days, most shopping, including everything from groceries sold in bulk, to memorabilia, art work, hobby supplies and home maintenance items, can be done by mail order. What’s more, if you live in an area that does not require sales tax on those items purchased by mail, you can even save money when you catalog shop. If you are not already receiving a variety of catalogs, ask your neighbors and extended family members for their old catalogs. Or you can search the last few pages of most hobby or specific interest magazines (home decorating, garden, automobile repair, etc.) for catalog advertisements and address information.
Next time you need a gift, consider sending something that requires no out-of-the-home shopping such as a subscription to a magazine, a donation to a special organization made in the recipient’s name, tickets to an event, an IOU for some service you can provide them, or an item you were able to find through your catalog shopping.
Many stores will deliver their products to your door, or at least arrange to have them mailed to you, if you simply tell them you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to drive, face crowds or leave the home. If it is difficult for you to ask the store personnel for this assistance, write a letter instead asking if they can provide this service.
Work out a partnership with a friend to take turns doing each other’s errands. Or if you find you are better able to function at one store than another, ask the friend if you could take care of the general shopping needs at the location you are most comfortable visiting, while the friend faces the crowds at the stores you need to avoid.
If nothing else, you can always try to arrange for someone to do your shopping for you. If you cannot afford to pay someone, perhaps you could barter a good or service instead. You might offer help with homework to a high school student, a homemade craft you are particularly good at creating, help on tax forms, gardening services or any other number of services you enjoy and do well, in exchange for weekly grocery shopping or small errand running.
Making your way through the day without stressing yourself out
Make a list of assignments: Write down everything you think you need to do to keep your household running. Include all kinds of responsibilities such as: cleaning, gardening, auto care and repair, volunteer commitments, shopping, and any other activity you will need to engage in on a regular basis — things like getting your hair cut or visiting the doctor. Then, assign each activity a specific day of the week. Keep track of your schedule by writing everything on a large monthly or yearly wall calendar, or in a notebook you have designated for home-making routines. Record the weekly items first. For example, you might decide to grocery shop on Mondays, vacuum on Tuesdays, wash clothes on Wednesdays, dust on Thursdays and care for the yard on Fridays. Then go back and assign a time for your monthly routines such as, for example: hair and doctor appointments on the first Monday of every month and car maintenance on the last Friday of every month.
Get in the habit of carrying small note papers with you where ever you go. Write yourself reminders on the paper that you can tape to spots you are certain not to miss. You might keep reminders of the day’s schedule changes posted on your bathroom mirror; reminders to exercise, eating right, read to the kids, etc., posted near your refrigerator; and reminders of things you wanted to tell your family or friends posted near your computer or the phone.
Record your thoughts, reminders of things you want to accomplish, and appointment times and dates on a pocket-sized tape recorder you can carry with you where ever you go. Listen to it several times during the day to keep your memory jarred, or write the entire transcript down when you have the time so you can have a visual reminder, as well.
If you find you cannot design a nice looking or comfortable wardrobe without distressing yourself, turn to your favorite clothes catalog for help. Simply cut out pictures of models wearing outfits you think you would like and then either order those clothes from the catalog, or take the photos with you to a store you feel comfortable in and ask a salesclerk to help you find a similar outfit. When you get the clothes home, hang them together in the closet with the picture of the model pinned to one of the pieces, to remind you how the outfit should be put together.