Everyday forgetfulness fuels anxiety

DEAR ABBY: While I am excited for new opportunities in my life, I am always losing something, whether it be my phone, my keys or my wallet. Once I lost my retainers and had to pay $300 for new ones. I have trouble keeping track of things. I’m afraid it will create serious problems when I begin a career and lose something, which could cost me my job. I’m also worried that I’ll inherit important items from my family and lose them. I urgently need this bad habit to change. Is there anything that will help me? — Losing It in Georgia DEAR LOSING IT: Your problem may not be as uncommon as you fear. Have you ever heard the adage, “A place for everything and everything in its place”? It’s good advice. Choose one location to place your phone, your keys and your wallet when you come home. Once you form that habit, you will always know where your things are. (There is an app, Find My Device, that may help you locate your electronic devices if you have a computer. There are also companies — like Tile — that can help you locate lost items such as your keys or wallet.) Some people with attention deficit disorder lose track of items because they are easily distracted and focus on more than one task at once. When you are holding your phone, keys, etc., reminding yourself to stay in the present may help. DEAR ABBY: I have been with my boyfriend/best friend for about six years now. We moved in together a little over a year ago and have discussed marriage. The issue is, one of his sisters has an alcohol problem. She becomes rude and tries to bully others. When she does that to me, I return the treatment, and she turns to her brother and tries to make him side with her. Because I’m not related, I am left feeling vulnerable — like she may disrupt my relationship with her brother. I love him, and I try with her. I think she would be happy if her brother were more available to hang out with her. Please help me figure out a solution. — Competing in California DEAR COMPETING: One option might be for you and your boyfriend to leave when his sister starts drinking. Discuss this with your boyfriend/best friend. If you haven’t done that, please do. His sister may be trying to divide and conquer, but enlisting him to her side will be much more difficult if he simply responds by telling her, “I don’t want to be involved in this, Sis. Leave me out of it, and stop picking on my girlfriend.”