This post is all about getting organized with ADHD.
If I really cared, wouldn’t I just keep my house clean? Getting organized with ADHD is a whirlwind. While I figure that out, here’s what I’m looking at.
I’m sitting at the kitchen table while my son naps. Time is short, so I choose to work. I shove aside the mixing bowl, plate of breakfast, bike helmet, remote, and single sock to make room for my laptop. I brush the crumbs away, too.
Ahead of me, the kitchen counters are covered in things I haven’t put away. To the side in the living room, is scattered with mega blocks, yesterday’s clothes, a blanket, some books, wipes, and a dirty diaper I still need to throw away.
No wonder I can’t focus.
I’m distracted by everything I see. I feel frustrated at myself for always letting it get back to this state. On top of it all? Lots of shame.
Aren’t adults supposed to have this figured out by now?
But I also know it’s not only about the mess. It’s about what I believe the mess says about me.
And when you’re trying to stay organized with ADHD, that meaning, the emotional weight, can feel crushing.
ADHD changes the rules. The lived experience is executive dysfunction, and it impacts everything.
It’s Not Just the Mess, It’s the Meaning
I wanted to call out the unhelpful thoughts we tell ourselves.
For some reason, I often catch myself believing that clutter is a reflection of my self-worth. That I’m failing my kids when it gets messy. That if I were a good mom, my home wouldn’t look like this. That other moms don’t let it get this bad. It’s all linked to an internalized failure narrative and the fear of being judged by visitors or even my kids and husband. Every time I sit in a mess, I hear I’m not enough.
This is why getting organized with ADHD isn’t just about tidying, it’s about healing from those beliefs.
Why ADHD Makes Organizing Feel Impossible
ADHD impacts the executive functions, which means the ADHD brain has trouble starting, switching, and finishing tasks. It conveniently experiences working memory dropouts, which means tasks requiring attention, planning, and organization get tricky.
Then there are “simple, everyday things”, like laundry. Doing the laundry is actually like 30 tiny tasks, so it’s not as easy as ‘just doing the laundry’.
That’s why ADHD organization has to look different. If I don’t see it, I forget it. If I do see it, I get overwhelmed. Sometimes it’s easier for me to have everything out because it reminds me of what we have. Until it piles up. Obviously.
So, yeah. It’s definitely not easy. If you’re wondering how to get organized with ADHD, the first step is to stop blaming yourself. You’re not broken, you just need a different system. Organization for ADHD adults should support how our minds actually work.
What’s Helped Me (Maybe It’ll Help You Too)
Now that I’ve completely discredited myself, here are things that help me stay organized. These ADHD tips for organization are in order of how helpful I find them:
- Externalizing: This means using sticky notes, timers, or Google Calendar (MY LIFELINE). Some people use whiteboards. My brain is doing enough already and it can’t hold on to everything. When my daughter was tiny, instead of drawing, she was making “lists” because that’s like all she ever saw me do on paper.
- Body doubling: Starting a boring task with someone else makes it easier. Body doubling helps get the initial motivation going. Most times, it’s my husband, but other times it’s just calling someone on FaceTime. It makes a huge difference in getting started, one of the hardest parts of staying organized with ADHD.
- Micro tidying: Setting a just 5 minute timer and clearing off a nearby surface. That’s all!
What You Deserve to Hear
If your space is messy, it’s not a character flaw. Your brain is wired a certain way that might just make it hard to maintain a clean home. And still, it’s possible.
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re always behind, and you’re looking for ADHD tips for organization that actually work, you’re not alone. You can build ADHD and organization skills that feel doable.
If you’re looking to make a change and create a space that works for you, not against you, check out this post about one starting point to getting organized with ADHD.
You’re not the only one surrounded by crumbs. You’re in good company, and if you’re looking for change, you’re in the right spot.