Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello again!
I have recently learned about autistic inertia thanks to Pete Wharmby's book Un-typicaI and have realised this is something I really struggle with but hadn't really given it any thought, until now.
Very briefly Autistic inertia, for anyone who doesn't know, is a difficulty switching tasks (even if you want to). Here's some light further reading - https://autismawarenesscentre.com/what-is-autistic-inertia/
The example Pete gave in his book so perfectly encapsulated my experience, reading a book but wanting a cup of tea. In this example, I can see myself getting up, making the tea, and then sitting and enjoying the tea while I continue to read. I am happy to get up and make the tea but I just...don't. I want to but something blocks me from switching my focus from reading to getting up and making tea.
Of course, this is just one example that doesn't have any major ramifications but it does impact other areas of my life. I wondered whether anyone had any tips or tricks for getting through this? If you also experience this, how do you switch tasks effectively?
There's also the tomatoes theory that someone mentioned in the forum. It's about taking breaks from work every 30 minutes for 5 minutes and every two hours for 15. When I'm hyper focused well then just forget about it. In a regular day well, it does help. I do other stuff like water the plants or make tea or the laundry in those breaks which eventually makes me feel better about myself that I finished not just work but also bunch of other tasks in the meantime. It's impossible to break the focus when it's hyper tho, very hard to even stop to eat.
I have exactly that! I use an app to manage my time increments while working and either trick my brain into focusing OR remind me to take breaks. It would probably be a good idea to start using it outside of walk too but for some reason It never occurs to me...
It's a weird contradiction. On one hand I could take breakes from work every 30 minutes in a regular day. On the other hand I could totally relate to not making the tea that I want to drink while reading example.. I'm very confused. Are we easy to break tasks or not? :D
I think so! I'm pretty new to this all and I haven't been diagnosed yet but it's my understanding that the ADHD side likes spontaneity and adventure while the Autistic side likes routine and structure. I often revise and replan my own routines (and like doing so as long as it comes from me). I also get bouts where I do nothing new and then have periods where I do lots of high energy things in quick succession with minimal planning compared to normal.
Does it explain loving a routine for a while like few weeks and suddenly wanting an adventure for the weekend and getting bored of the routine and shifting it to another routine before seeking an adventure in few weeks and then repeat?. Sometimes I love silence and solitude for weeks and suddenly I want 2 nights out in a night club. Is it what the mix does?