ADHD is Awesome
Organizing with ADHD: Practical Strategies to Start and Not Get Overwhelmed
Let’s be honest—traditional organizing methods don’t always work when you have ADHD. The idea of setting up a perfectly categorized closet, alphabetizing your books by genre and author, or tackling every single junk drawer in one night (because your brain suddenly decides now is the time) sounds great in theory. But in reality? You end up with piles—doom piles, if we’re being real—of papers, clothes, or books, and by the time you lose steam, you’re left with an even bigger mess than before. Then, you wake up the next morning frustrated with yourself. Ask me how I know.
I’ve been there. I’m definitely self-diagnosed with ADHD, and when you throw menopause brain fog into the mix, let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of moments wondering where I put literally anything. But here’s the thing—I’ve had to learn tools and systems that actually work for my brain, to keep myself from falling into overwhelm. And now? I want to help you do the same. The goal isn’t to have a Pinterest-perfect home—it’s to create systems that actually work for you.
Step One: Accept That Your Brain Works Differently
The first step in organizing with ADHD is to stop trying to organize like someone who doesn’t have ADHD. Your brain craves dopamine, visual cues, and easy-to-maintain systems. So instead of fighting against it, let’s work with it.
ADHD-Friendly Organizing Strategies That Actually Stick
Make It Visible – If something is out of sight, it might as well not exist. Use clear bins, open shelving, and labels so you can see exactly where things go.
Create Drop Zones – Designate specific spots for everyday essentials (keys, wallet, mail) so they don’t end up all over the house.
Use the “Two-Minute Rule” – If something takes less than two minutes to put away or clean up, do it right then.
Break It Down – Organizing an entire room? Too much. Organizing one drawer? Doable. Start small and build momentum.
Timers Are Your Friend – Set a 10-minute timer and see how much you can get done. Small bursts of effort are more sustainable than marathon cleaning sessions.
Make It Fun – Put on your favorite playlist or audiobook while you clean. Associating organizing with something enjoyable makes it way easier.
Batch Similar Tasks – Sorting mail, folding laundry, or putting away dishes? Group similar tasks together so you’re not switching gears constantly.
Get an Accountability Buddy – Sometimes, having someone else there (even virtually) helps keep you on track and makes the process less overwhelming. I can help you with this!
What to Do When You Feel Stuck
ADHD paralysis is real. If you find yourself standing in the middle of a messy room not knowing where to start, try one of these:
Pick up one thing and put it where it belongs.
Set a five-minute timer and challenge yourself to just start.
Ask yourself, “What’s the next smallest step I can take?”
Call a friend and talk through your plan out loud.
Women with ADHD: Navigating a Late Diagnosis and Finding a System That Works
If you’re a woman who has been diagnosed with ADHD later in life, you’re not alone. Recent research suggests that women are often overlooked in childhood and don’t receive a diagnosis until adulthood—sometimes after struggling for years with organization, focus, and feeling different from everyone else.
A study published in The Journal of Attention Disorders found that women diagnosed in adulthood often experience heightened feelings of burnout, anxiety, and overwhelm, because they’ve been unknowingly masking their symptoms for years. They may have spent decades using sheer willpower to manage responsibilities, only to hit a breaking point where traditional strategies no longer work.
So what now? Understanding your ADHD means you can finally create organizing systems that actually work for you, instead of trying to force yourself into systems designed for neurotypical brains.
How a Professional Organizer Can Help
This is where a professional organizer (hi, that’s me!) can make a huge difference. I take the guesswork out of creating sustainable systems, helping you:
Set up visual filing systems that make paperwork manageable.
Create easy-to-follow routines that work with your natural rhythms.
Develop low-maintenance storage solutions so things don’t pile up again.
Build ADHD-friendly workflows that keep your home and schedule feeling less chaotic.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. Whether you need a workspace that helps you focus, a kitchen that makes meal prep easier, or a bedroom that actually helps you rest, I’ll work with you to make it happen.
Final Thoughts
The key to organizing with ADHD isn’t about following strict rules—it’s about finding your way of making things work. And remember, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about making progress.
I recently worked with a young woman with ADHD and after one session (there is still more to do) she said she felt PROUD, RELIEVED, and HAPPY. There is no better reward for me than to hear that from my client and be a part of her journey. If you need help setting up ADHD-friendly organizing systems that are actually sustainable, Declutter and Reset Home Organizing is here to help. Let’s create a space that works for you, not against you.
Here are a few books that I’ve found helpful:
ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD by Penn Holderness and Kim Holderness
This engaging, humorous, and colorful guide provides firsthand accounts and practical advice for living with ADHD, aiming to dispel myths and offer evidence-based information. View on Bookshop.org
Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD: Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and Get Organized by Susan Pinsky
This book offers practical organizing strategies tailored for individuals with ADHD, focusing on decluttering and creating efficient systems. View on Bookshop.org
The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunther Menopause is not a disease—it’s a planned change, like puberty. And just like puberty, we should be educated on what’s to come years in advance, rather than the current practice of leaving people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting information. Knowing what is happening, why, and what to do about it is both empowering and reassuring. View on Bookshop.org I recommend this book to every woman over 30 that I know.
On my “to be read” list:
Better Late Than Never: Understand, Survive and Thrive – Midlife Women and ADHD by Emma Mahony and Sari Solden
Focusing on midlife women, this book offers strategies to understand and manage ADHD, turning potential challenges into strengths. View on Bookshop.org
Scatter Brain: How I Finally Got Off the ADHD Rollercoaster and Became the Owner of a Very Tidy Sock Drawer by Shaparak Khorsandi
In this memoir, the author shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how she learned to manage it. View on Storygraph
The Disorganized Mind by Nancy A Ratey
This book provides insights and strategies to help individuals with ADHD manage time, tasks, and clutter effectively. View on Bookshop.org