35 accommodations i make for myself
(with chronic illness & adhd)
- using mobility aids when I need them
- using kt tape when I need it
- wearing sunscreen every day
- putting everything i need to do in my google calendar, even if it seems silly or small
- changing my environment. I am sensitive to uv light. so, I spend most of my time in our bedroom, where the light bothers me less.
- using blackout curtains
- meal prepping
- making doom piles + I have a basket in every room where I can dump clutter that doesn't have a home.
- using visual timers
- body doubling ("quality time" in love & deepspace is great for this!)
- my partner does our dishes and laundry. I do other chores that are physically easier for me, like making the bed & cleaning up clutter.
- flexing my work schedule for appointments
- showering every day
- we always have popsicles or frozen treats in the house, in case I need a sensory snack.
- having ice cubes on hand for my water bottle, or to do an ice dive if I need to regulate my emotions.
- avoiding mushy/soft foods and eating lots of crunchy/spicy foods
- cutting tags off of underwear, blankets, etc.
- using the pomodoro method
- using the goblin tools app, especially for writing emails
- filling my pill organizer every sunday night
- always carrying otc meds like aleve, voltaren gel, & benadryl
- letting restaurants & coffee shops know about my allergens
- drinking tea instead of coffee (most days)
- I have a laminated list of coping skills taped up in several places around the house. my therapist helped with this one.
- I stopped wearing high heels. all my shoes are flats or platforms
- wearing slippers around the house
- following a strict bedtime routine
- I don't use lots of products on my face & only use products made for sensitive skin.
- wearing noise-cancelling headphones or noise-dulling earplugs when I need them
- sleeping with several pillows & a cooling satin pillowcase
- we have an informal "rule" in our house that I control the thermostat, because I am usually always hot & more sensitive to changes in temperature than my partner.
- wearing soft & smooth fabrics, like cotton or satin, and avoiding scratchy or hyper-textured fabrics, like tweed or wool
- whenever I go somewhere, I always write down where I parked & notes to help me find my car (such as where to turn) in my notes app
- shaving my body hair, not because I feel obligated to but because it is a sensory preference
- I purposefully looked for a hybrid job, so I can work from home when I'm not feeling well