The Little Things

 Something I've learned over the last few years: there are "little" things in your life that are important to you that might not be important to other people.  Things that are not that "little" to you but seem so to others.  Maybe you need your bed made every day, because it helps set the tone for your day or unclutter your mind.  Maybe you need quiet time every morning to help you get grounded.  Maybe you need encouragement from your team at work to validate and confirm that you are on the right track.  Maybe you need a few days to process information, so that you can utilize it in the most appropriate way for the situation.  Maybe you need to vent a whole lot before you react to something.  Whatever it may be, there are things.  I have a lot of little things that impact me...most have to do with all kinds of clutter:  clutter of the mind, space, senses, etc.  I have always liked organization, but I have lived with clutter for a long time without seemingly being phased.  I didn't love it, but it did not impact my overall mental and physical health the way it does now.  Many years ago, I had a serious head trauma and years later a series of mini strokes and a TIA.  After the last bout, I realized that I am extremely ADD.  I don't remember being ADD in my younger years and my neurologist confirmed that it definitely could have onset after the strokes.  With this onset of ADD, it has made things much more difficult than I could have ever imagined.  My brain is tired a lot.  It works extra hard, and it is exhausting for my body and spirit as well.  It has taken me a few years to develop some successful coping mechanisms on my own.  But I also need the assistance of others in circumstances where we cohabitate together:  work, home, etc. A suggestion I have is to let your people know how these "little" things impact you both negatively and positively and tell them WHY.  If they know why, they will have understand and respect the importance; because remember these things may hold little value if any to them.  If they know why and don't respect the importance, you may have a bigger issue.  But if you don't tell them, you are not giving them the opportunity to understand.  Communication is key!