Do You Have A Pattern?

I have patterns in my day. I realized early that if I associate something with what I want to accomplish, I remember to do it. :D Here are some of my examples:

Almost 40 years ago, I went on birth control pills. The doctor explained the importance of not missing a pill, keeping them in order. I placed the pill packet next to my tooth brush...bush my teeth, take a pill. I needed that pattern in order to remember to take my pill.

When I shower, I wash myself in an order. After getting out of the shower, I have a routine before dressing. If I don't follow my order or if I get interrupted, I will forget something. I know no one wants me to forget to wash any parts!

If distracted while baking, I will miss an ingredient. A good example is a few years ago during Thanksgiving, I forgot sugar in the pumpkin pie. The taste was awful...no one ate pie. :( I must concentrate!

When Seth and Heather were babies, Heather needed to come off formula and drink 2% milk. I put her bottles on the left side of the fridge and Seth's on the right. When I carried them, Heather was on the left, Seth on the right. I needed an association to remember whose bottle was whose. From that time on, if I needed to keep anything separated, I used the analogy of their position in utero. Many years later, I used the same analogy when my grandsons were born. Although not twins, I place my first born grandson on the right and second born on the left, just as my first born.

To an outsider without Fibromyalgia, these patterns may appear that I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. On the contrary, those with Fibromyalgia Disease, often draw a blank mind. Having a pattern or order of procedure, helps to complete tasks. I even have my vitamins and prescription medication purposefully positioned in my medicine cabinet.