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Before we get into discussing ADHD organizing hacks that can help you stay on track, if you are an adult with ADHD, let’s talk about how the ADHD brain works.

Positive Attributes of Those with ADHD

Those with ADHD are not lazy, unmotivated, or unintelligent. On the contrary, experts describe those having ADHD to have more energy than the average person. They are often highly creative, intelligent, and imaginative.  They are also excellent problem solvers. When they are absorbed in something they are interested in, they can often to achieve a goal with great speed and accuracy. 

Boredom & The ADHD Brain

It’s when they are not highly engaged that those with ADHD get into trouble. According to Additudemag.com, “Dopamine is diffused differently in the brain of someone with ADHD”, so they do not get the same degree of satisfaction from doing ordinary tasks as a person without ADHD.” That lack of satisfaction is felt as boredom. So, thoughts tend to wander off in other directions, onto more interesting things, at the wrong time.

The following list of ADHD organizing hacks offers helpful tips and tricks for getting things done and taking control of your life. 

As a Professional Organizer and a person with ADHD, many of these suggestions are tried and true tips that I practice often. Living with ADHD can present unique challenges when it comes to staying organized, both in your home and in your daily life.

However, with the right strategies and a little bit of consistency, you can create a more organized and manageable living environment. In this article, we’ll explore practical tips to help you maintain order and reduce stress when living with ADHD.

Helpful ADHD Organizing Hacks to Make Your Life Easier:

1. Establish Routines

Routines can be a lifeline for individuals with ADHD. Create daily and weekly habits and routines for tasks such as cleaning, meal planning, and work. Consistency can help reduce the anxiety of not knowing what to expect and make it easier to stay on track.

2. Reduce Your Inventory.  

If I were to give you just 1 tip that would have the biggest impact on keeping you organized and make your life less chaotic, it would be that less is more…so much more.

The less stuff you have in your home, or at your office, the easier it will be to keep it all organized. Those with ADHD struggle more with having too many items to deal with than the average person does. Get serious about not keeping anything that is not serving you in some way. Just simplifying your surroundings can make a huge impact on how in control you feel overall, from day to day.

3. Do It Now or Forget it Later.  

For many, having a short attention span means living in a constant state of “do it now or forget it later.” Therefore, when you think of something that needs to get done, if you can act on it right away, it is best to do it while you are thinking of it. 

Don’t rely on your ADHD brain to automatically remember to do it later, because you might not. If you remember that you need to return a library book and can’t drop everything to do it now, create a visual reminder for yourself, immediately put the book in the car so that you will see it later, or add the task to a to-do list.   

11. Put it on Paper So You Can Get It Out of Your Head.  

To-do lists, grocery lists, and packing lists can also be extremely helpful aids for remembering things and for staying organized. They provide a visual cue and allow your mind to relax because you don’t have to keep thinking about what not to forget.

Just make sure to have only one To-Do, packing, or grocery list at a time. Also, use caution not to put an unrealistic number of tasks on your to-do list. Place the top 3 priorities at the top of the list, then list the more flexible items below.

12. Make SIMPLE Your #1 ADHD Organizing Hack.

Keep your organizing systems super simple so that they are easy to maintain. It is a misconception that to be organized, you have to have an elaborate system. In fact, often the opposite is true. For example, don’t micro-organize your underwear drawer. Having 48 little compartments for each pair of perfectly folded underwear is only going to take more time and patience than most people with ADHD have. 

Toss all of your underwear together into a shoebox-sized bin inside your drawer. No folding is necessary. Place your bras into another bin to keep them separated from your underwear. Use two more bins to separate white and colored socks. 

Congratulations, you have created a simple system that is efficient and easy to maintain. It may not be Pinterest-worthy, but it will keep you organized.

13. Store Things Where You Use Them.

By storing things where you use them, and keeping systems simple, you will stay organized when you get busy and don’t have the time or patience to fuss with putting something away properly. 

What matters most, is being able to find, grab, and clean up quickly with little effort.

14. Name and Label Your Storage Containers.

Susan Pinsky, the author of “Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD” suggests that as you organize, it is helpful to name your bins, cabinets, and drawers. For example, you might have a tea and cocoa shelf, a water bottle drawer, or a snack bin. This will help you avoid tossing random items together, creating what I call hodge-podge bins. Adding a label to your storage containers will add another layer to ensuring that only items that belong there get tossed in.

15. Name Your Days.

Susan also suggests naming your household chore days to stay on task; designate a laundry day, bill paying day, food prep day, etc. What this does, is create a routine, which makes getting things done on certain days, automatic.

16. Avoid Stocking Up on Foods. 

Bulk food stores capitalize on shoppers who think they need to stock up and end up going overboard buying large quantities of household products. Unless you have a very large family or live a great distance from a grocery store, only buy what you will need soon.

By stocking up, you risk losing control of your inventory at home. Once that happens, you can’t find things, and you forget what you already have. This is a risk for everyone but is especially dangerous for those with ADHD because many of us possess a lower threshold for getting overwhelmed

17. Learn to Say No.  

Because many individuals with ADHD tend to get overwhelmed and/or frustrated more easily than those without ADHD, over-commitment is also a common problem. Guard your schedule and your peace of mind by being very selective about what you say “yes” to. Leave extra time in your schedule as a cushion in case anything pops up unexpectedly.

Never commit to anything on the spot. Always let the person know you will get back to them later. Use the excuse that you have to check your calendar or discuss it with a spouse or family member. This will give you time to think it through before you commit. 

18. Use Time Blocking To Get Things Done.

Time blocking involves scheduling specific blocks of time for specific tasks or activities. This can help you allocate your time more effectively and avoid overcommitting yourself. For example, block out a few hours to respond to emails each morning at which time you do nothing other than that.  

19. Put a Trashcan in Every Room.

Make cleaning up super easy for yourself by placing trashcans in each room so that you can toss things into them with minimal effort. Also, place one right outside of your car to make keeping your car clean easier for yourself. 

20. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps.

Large tasks can feel overwhelming for those with ADHD. To make them more manageable, break them into smaller, more achievable steps. This can help you stay focused and maintain your motivation as you check off each completed task.

21. Find an Accountability Partner.

Don’t hesitate to seek support from loved ones, friends, or professionals. They can offer encouragement, accountability, and assistance with organizing your home and life. You might also consider working with a therapist or coach who specializes in ADHD to develop personalized strategies.

Conclusion

Living with ADHD may present certain challenges, but with the right strategies and support, you can maintain an organized home and life. By establishing routines, utilizing visual aids, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and incorporating these other tips, you can reduce stress and improve your overall quality of life.