I wish I could think!

I am getting so frustrated, only because of lack of thinking on my part. I'm making suah a hard time for myself just because I don't think enough, pay attention, or I overthink. I have joined the sleeves and body 3 times now! I just finished ripping again this morning after having 18 rows done after the join. I keep getting confused with the decrease rows and the eyelet pattern, ending up with the wrong # of stitches and such. I'm hoping that my fourth time will be a charm and I can start making some progress instead of repeating the same parts over and over. I know it should not be this difficult, I just have problems. Sigh. Anyway, wish me luck, send good knitter vibes, anything will help!