Time Blindness in Motherhood
What is Time Blindness?
TL;DR: Time blindness makes it hard for postpartum moms, especially those with ADHD or sleep deprivation, to manage time effectively. This can lead to missed feedings, forgotten appointments, and lots of stress. With able-to-implement strategies like timers, routines, and external reminders, you can take control of your time.
What Is Time Blindness?
Definition: Many neurodivergent folx have a hard time sensing how time passes.
Why Postpartum Moms Struggle:
Sleep Deprivation: Lack of sleep worsens time perception.
Constant Interruptions: Caring for a baby makes time feel fragmented.
Emotional Overload: Hormonal shifts and PMADs add to the chaos.
How Time Blindness Affects Postpartum Moms
Missed Feedings: Losing track of time can disrupt feeding schedules.
Appointments Forgotten: Pediatric visits or self-care gets sidelined.
Overwhelm: Days feel unstructured, leading to guilt and burnout.
Inefficiency: Simple tasks take longer without time awareness. We may avoid doing tasks because we think they will take longer than they do.
Tips for Managing Time Blindness Postpartum
Use Timers or Alarms:
Set reminders for feedings, naps, or personal breaks.
Try the Pomodoro technique for quick tasks. Or for playing with your kid.
Intervals: Each interval, or "pomodoro", is about 25 minutes long.
Breaks: After each pomodoro, take a short break, about 5 minutes.
Longer breaks: After four pomodoros, take a longer break, usually 15–30 minutes.
Create Routines:
Anchor your day around your baby’s schedule (e.g., naps, feeding).
Write routines down for consistency.
Visual Time Tools:
Use a clock with a countdown feature.
Try visual timers to make time passage more tangible.
Analog clocks are suggested for ADHDers because they help your brain see the passage of time.
Delegate Tasks:
Decide which chores you are responsible for and which chores your partner is responsible for. For inspiration, check out the Fair Play Documentary on Hulu. Fair Play is a system for household management that helps partners share the mental load.
Focus your energy on high-priority items.
Simplify Planning:
Use ADHD-friendly planners or apps with built-in reminders. Take advantage of whatever reminder system your phone is hooked up to and use it religiously.
Break tasks into micro-steps to avoid overwhelm.
Why It’s Important to Deal with Time Blindness
Reduces Stress: Clearer time management = less overwhelm.
Supports Mental Health: Helps mitigate anxiety and depression risks.
Improves Bonding: Structured time means more focus on your baby.
Takeaway: Postpartum time blindness is real but manageable. Use external tools, establish routines, and incorporate support systems to regain control. Small steps can lead to big relief!
