What’s a Brain Map?

Simply put, this is a document that keeps track of all of the ways I organize my ADHD brain so that I am not trying to remember it all. 

You could call it an index or a reference list; I’ve called it many different things (Kaelypedia, Brains for Brains, That One Document) but the most important thing is that I can call on it to guide me back to my own needs, ideas, and strengths (oh and help me find wherever I put my stuff.)

Why Build a Brain Map?

I created this worksheet, like most of the tools in my arsenal, because I was tired of feeling like I just couldn’t “get my sh*t together” (whatever that even means.)

Even if I had tasks in front of me to do, I would procrastinate, worried some more important task was ready to surprise me the moment I finally relaxed.

“Just use [xyz app, method, or journal]!!”

Oh, thank you for your confidence, but I probably have tried it. I’m probably trying it right now. I am probably trying it right now and paying for the subscription while my orphaned tasks wait for me to come get them because I got too overwhelmed and never opened the app again.

I got tired of being haunted by these ghosts, always feeling like I was dropping something through the cracks (usually because I was dropping something through the cracks).

For a long time, I looked for some sort of app, software, spreadsheet, or to-do guru that would help me feel more confident in the way that I kept track of everything I needed to remember. I would fill an app with everything I’ve ever thought of doing, and then abandon the entire system as soon as it became overwhelming.

Eventually, the shame and anxiety from living like this pushed me to create some sort of system that would be clear, repeatable, and reliable. 

What I thought I needed was the right technology;
What I actually needed was clarity.

I know the tools I use to organize my life will change over time. Sometimes I love an app, sometimes I’m back to a handwritten journal. No matter which system is working to keep me afloat, this simple document helps me to think through what I need in my system to make sure I haven’t forgotten something important.

“So you’re saying with this worksheet, I’ll get my sh*t together?”

Oh, thank you for your confidence again, you’re so sweet, but no, I absolutely guarantee you will not suddenly get your sh*t together because you used this worksheet… if you used all my worksheets… if you used all the worksheets that were ever created. (Honestly, who wants to carry around sh*t anyway?)

This is one tool in your bag that I hope makes your journey a little easier.

Through this process, I hope you will get to know yourself a little better and give yourself credit for all you are carrying. If you have felt like me, ashamed and embarrassed of a brain that can drop so many things through the cracks, I hope you will find just a little more freedom and forgiveness for yourself.

These are some of the questions I wanted my map to answer:

• What are all the sources of my responsibilities/tasks? (I check through these sources regularly, especially when I do a brain dump)
• How do other people let me know when they need something from me? (I set clear communication boundaries because if you text me a task, it will never get done!)
• Where do all my tasks go once I’ve thought of them? (I currently like everything in one central place, but also organized so I don’t get overwhelmed!)
• Where do I keep track of my current personal and spiritual priorities? (I have a dashboard that opens with my “new tab” in my internet browser)
• How do I keep track of future goals and their tasks without overwhelming myself? (I use my digital journal!)

Grab your free Brain Map Creation Guide Here!