This is a reflection on how Working Memory plays a role in every aspect of an ADHD life. When life hands you lemons, get a really nice glass pitcher (or two) and fresh-squeeze some lemonade!
We need a nice pitcher
During the summer of 2021, my family spent some time at the beach. On one rainy day, we decided to visit a nearby kitchen store. I didn’t have a real list in mind of what to buy. I just thought things would “speak” to me if we needed a fun kitchen gadgets or something.
I was happy to find a beautiful glass pitcher, and was convinced I needed this for all the home squeezed lemonade I (don’t) make. Before COVID, I loved hosting, and hoped that by being prepared for home-squeezed lemonade, we might be one step closer to returning to the “before times”.
Put it in a safe place!
After the beach trip, we got home, and I washed and put away the pitcher in a cabinet. I might have used it once or twice in the year to follow. Each time, I tucked it away again until I forgot about it.
Copy & pasted memories
Fast forward to our 2022 beach trip, and again, when the weather wasn’t beach-worthy one day, I decided to visit the kitchen store to see what I could find. Wouldn’t you know it, I found a lovely glass pitcher! How perfect it would be for home-squeezed lemonade!
I thought, “wow, I’ve been talking about purchasing something like this for a while now – maybe even a year!” but I failed to remember that I had purchased the same pitcher the summer before.
When we returned from the beach, I washed the pitcher and put it in a cabinet, only to realize I know owned two. The more the merrier, I say.
ADHD tie-in
Why do I share this self-deprecating story of my poor memory? Because this is completely par for the course with ADHD. I can remember my first bank account number, decades-old phone numbers from commercials on television, and other details that baffle other people, because my long-term memory is pretty solid.
Working memory, on the other hand, is where we put short term tasks, reminders, and information. This is where ADHDers sometimes muddle things up. This is tied in with executive dysfunction, and can be accommodated in a number of ways. More to come on executive dysfunction soon.
For today, I’ll just encourage you to enjoy a nice cold glass of lemonade while you give yourself grace for any recent times your working memory let you down.
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