Why Executive Function Skills Don't Always Travel Well

When she realized how different her skills felt while traveling, she laughed—but also reflected on just how much she’d learned about herself through the course. Her partner handed her a set of packing cubes: one for shirts, one for shorts, one for pajamas. Suddenly, she had recreated the same kind of external structure she uses at home.

What I loved most about her story wasn’t just the humor—it was the self-awareness. She didn’t beat herself up for being “messy.” She didn’t label herself as disorganized. Instead, she noticed:

• At home, she has built systems that work for her brain.
  
  

• On the road, she doesn’t have those same systems—yet.
  
  

• With a small adjustment (packing cubes), she could re-create the support she needs.
  
  

That’s executive function in action. It’s not about “fixing” ourselves or magically becoming a perfectly organized person. It’s about knowing where our EF skills are strong, where they’re shaky, and how to use strategies or tools to bridge the gap in different environments.