I can no longer multi task

I left a somewhat stressful career a few months ago. While I worked this job I became so stressed I couldn't speak at times. I went to the doctor, I went to a speech pathologist. I was convinced I was developing dementia. I literally couldn't think of words. Even when talking to myself, in my head, I couldn't think of words.

When my son was small he was often upset that I couldn't do just one thing at a time. If I was watching a movie with him I was also sewing or knitting, running a load of laundry in the washer, dryer and preparing a meal. I would jump up at commercials if watching live television and flip chicken, stir vegetables, use the bathroom, which often was accompanied by cleaning something on the way to or from the kitchen or bathroom or laundry room.

My son is grown and has his own home with his wife. I still did several things at the same time.

There were times I caught myself doing silly things out of habit. I "save the milk" so my son can have it with his meal. I buy too much of foods he would like. I have an enormous stockpile of toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, laundry detergent, hand soap....even before the 2020 hoarding situation. (I believe washing hands with soap and water is better than using hand sanitizer so I don't have a stockpile of hand sanitizer.)

However, since leaving this career for a life of a more relaxed nature I have regained the ability to speak most of the time. I still have word finding issues when presented with a stressful situation. I still "save the milk", I still purchase Cream of Chicken soup despite being gluten free and disliking cream soups.

But, I can't multitask anymore. If I sit down to watch a television program, that's the only thing I can focus on. I can't knit, sew, do laundry, cook, ANYTHING, while watching television.

Right now, the television is going in the background, while I am writing this, and my jaw is clenched. I am kind of grinding my teeth. I am getting stressed that a rerun of Madame Secretary is playing on Netflix while I am typing, I can rewatch this anytime I choose.

I have loads of laundry lying on the floor. I need to actually wash the laundry. Somehow, it is beyond my ability to do all of the many things I used to do.

I can literally only do a single thing at a time.

It's like I don't even know who I am anymore.

Well, there is one thing, I still Google the end of every movie I am watching, while I am watching it.

I just don't want to waste my time watching it if an animal dies. It's just not worth it. Ya know?