Ways Decluttering and Organizing Can Benefit Those with ADHD

If you’re living with ADHD, you’re probably no stranger to the challenges of keeping your living or working space organized. But did you know that decluttering and organizing can benefit those with ADHD in more ways than one? In this article, we’ll explore ADHD’s impact on organizational skills. We will also delve into the benefits of maintaining a tidy environment. Our goal is to shed light on how decluttering and organizing can enhance your quality of life. And our insights and practical tips will help you take control of your surroundings. So, whether you’re struggling with managing your daily tasks or simply seeking ways to improve your focus, read on to discover the transformative power of a clutter-free space for individuals with ADHD.

How ADHD Affects Organization Skills

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, can significantly impact an individual’s organizational skills, often leading to chronic disorganization. This disarray can manifest itself in various ways, making it difficult for those with ADHD to maintain a tidy environment.

Some common organization challenges faced by individuals with ADHD include:

Difficulty prioritizing tasks: People with ADHD often struggle to determine which tasks are most important, leading to an accumulation of unfinished projects and clutter.
Procrastination: The overwhelming nature of organizing can cause people with ADHD to put off tasks, exacerbating disorganization.
Easily distracted: ADHD can make it difficult for individuals to stay focused on a single task, resulting in clutter as items are left unfinished or out of place.
Forgetfulness: Forgetting to complete tasks or misplacing items is common for those with ADHD, further contributing to disorganization.

Understanding these challenges is the first step towards developing effective de-cluttering and organizing strategies tailored to the unique needs of individuals with ADHD.

de-cluttering-and-organizing-can-benefit-those-with-ADHD when supervised by an ADHD professional

People with ADHD may often find themselves frustrated that they cannot accomplish things in the way they want.

Ways decluttering and organizing can benefit those with ADHD

Now that we’ve explored how ADHD affects organization skills let’s dive into the ways decluttering and organizing can benefit those with ADHD. You might be surprised to learn just how transformative a tidy environment can be for individuals facing these challenges.

Reduced Stress and Anxiety

One of the most significant ways that de-cluttering and organizing can benefit those with ADHD is by reducing stress and anxiety. A cluttered environment can contribute to feelings of overwhelm and unease, making it difficult to focus and complete tasks. By maintaining a tidy and organized space, you can alleviate some of the stressors that lessen ADHD symptoms. This is particularly important in situations like relocating, where packing clothes when moving can become a daunting task. By having an organized system in place, you can easily prepare your clothes for transport without feeling overwhelmed. Once you know where each item’s “home” is, it gets much easier to give it a new one.

Improved Focus and Productivity

Decluttering and organizing can greatly improve focus and productivity for individuals with ADHD.

Some ways that an organized environment can enhance focus and productivity include:

Minimizing distractions: A clutter-free space reduces visual distractions, allowing you to maintain focus on your work.
Streamlining tasks: Organizing your belongings and creating designated areas for specific tasks can make it easier to complete them efficiently. Furthermore, you can utilize technology to help you stay even more productive and organized.
Promoting a sense of control: A well-organized environment gives you a sense of control over your surroundings, leading to improved focus and motivation.

Clearing things easily off your to-do list is one of the ways de-cluttering and organizing can benefit those with ADHD.

Better Time Management

Another way decluttering and organizing can benefit those with ADHD is by promoting better time management. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with managing their time effectively, which can lead to procrastination and missed deadlines. Therefore, clearing clutter from your environment can significantly improve time management by reducing the number of distractions and items that demand your attention. With less to worry about and think about, you can focus more on staying on schedule, meeting deadlines, and completing tasks in a timely manner. Overall, a clutter-free environment enables you to concentrate on what’s truly important, helping you better manage your time and stay on track with your responsibilities.

Enhanced Sleep

Decluttering and organizing your living space can positively impact sleep quality, which is essential for individuals with ADHD. A clean, organized bedroom creates a calming atmosphere, helping you relax and unwind more easily at day’s end. Clutter-free surroundings also minimize distractions and reduce your mind racing with thoughts about unfinished tasks or disorganized items. Moreover, by having an orderly space, you can establish a more consistent bedtime routine, further enhancing your sleep quality. And improved sleep contributes to better overall well-being, helping to regulate mood, increase focus, and reduce impulsivity, all of which are crucial for managing ADHD symptoms.

for a person with ADHD, getting things done such as decluttering can help the person get better sleep. Sleep quality benefits greatly from a tidy environment.

Increased Independence and Self-esteem

An organized space, particularly when combined with downsizing, can lead to increased independence and self-esteem for those with ADHD. A smaller, organized space is easier to manage and reduces the potential for overwhelm while also promoting a sense of control and mastery over your surroundings. With that in mind, it’s possible to organize your living space regardless of its size; however, individuals with larger homes may face greater challenges in achieving organization. And, as you become more adept at managing your environment, you’ll likely experience a boost in self-confidence and independence, knowing that you can effectively handle your day-to-day responsibilities. This newfound self-assurance can have a ripple effect, positively influencing various aspects of your life, including personal relationships, work performance, and overall well-being. Embracing organization and making thoughtful choices about your living space can be transformative in managing ADHD and fostering a greater sense of self-worth.

Practical Tips for Decluttering and Organizing with ADHD

In conclusion, decluttering and organizing can benefit those with ADHD in many ways, and implementing practical strategies can help make the process more manageable. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps
Set specific goals and deadlines
Use labels and clear storage containers
Create designated spaces for frequently used items
Implement a daily and weekly cleaning schedule

By incorporating these strategies, you can create a more organized and functional living space. This will make it easier to navigate daily life with ADHD. However, if you, at any point, need help to create an environment you can thrive in, do not hesitate to ask for help. Lastly, remember that consistency is key, and with continued practice, you’ll find that maintaining a clutter-free environment becomes second nature.

Photos used:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/exited-diverse-couple-relocating-in-new-apartment-4246061/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-problematic-woman-lying-on-the-couch-with-her-hands-on-her-face-5234633/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-taking-notes-5582865/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-man-with-a-black-and-white-sleep-mask-7445322/

Spring Forward: Mini Motivators for Organizing Your Space

By: A Clear Path Team Member, Lauren Brennan

Let’s cut to the chase, it’s Spring, the state is about to reopen, and you never organized those closets. Along with the sourdough starter kits of the world, many of the projects you intended to complete (or simply start!) fell by the wayside. We don’t blame you. Like a drawer filled with Tupperware to which there is no matching lid, this last year has been frustratingly chaotic. If the thought of the pandemic ending fills you with dread because you still don’t know what’s buried in your hallway closet, don’t worry. There’s still time to get it together, at least where your belongings are concerned. Sometimes just getting started is half the battle.

Here are a few places around your home that might be in need of some TLC and how to tackle them:

The hallway closet. Usually smaller than a wardrobe closet and situated near an entrance, this area of your home is perfect for throwing away things that aren’t yet garbage. Part of what makes it so terrifying is it’s mysterious contents. Anything could be in there.

Junk mail, empty amazon boxes, broken light bulbs, a holiday wreath…All of these items are known to congregate in this forgotten place you pass by so often. Grab a recycling bin because most of what’s in here probably never belonged anyways. The wreath can stay. Maximize the space in your closet by utilizing the interior wall space. If space permits, a command strip or nail in an inconspicuous area can be used to hang the wreath inside of the closet. Other items like umbrellas or reusable grocery bags can be hung up as well.

Recycle, reduce, reuse those single-use plastic bags!

Speaking of grocery bags, how many do you currently have shoved into a small space beside the fridge? When you open the cabinet under your sink does a confetti-like assortment of plastic or paper bags burst forth? Thanks to covid, single-use bags are back, for now. Luckily there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tutorials online on how to store plastic bags. Click on this link for an easy and free option for storing all that plastic. The Russian Doll method of storing plastic bags will leave you feeling like a magician pulling an endless array of ties out of a hat.

Environmentally friendly tips in honor of Earth Day:

Instead of plastic bags use washable-mesh produce bags.
Instead of plastic wrap try ethically sourced beeswax paper.
Large empty food containers with lids make excellent mini-storage bins for paper-thin produce bags. Poke a hole into the top and grab as you go!
Reuse single-use plastic bags for smelly trash like raw meat and expired veggies.
Don’t throw out plastic water bottles and aluminum cans at the gas station unless the trash is separated for recycling.
White vinegar is a powerful, affordable cleaning agent that’s Earth, kid and pet friendly. Use it with baking soda to deep clean dirty spots like the bathtub and kitchen sink.
Use this month as an opportunity to safely dispose of all old batteries. Check this site for for a list of places to toss them.
Check around the house for items to use as organizers in the car or trunk before buying something new. Cardboard file boxes or empty tubs and bins can double as storage spaces in the trunk.
Earth

Keep it moving! Don’t neglect your second home

Cars are another high traffic area that often get treated like a trash can. We use our cars for so much more than driving. They’re an extension of our home, a place we eat and sometimes even sleep in. During the pandemic, it may have doubled as your therapist’s office, or just a quiet place to escape the sound of upstairs neighbors. Grab that trash bin. Throw out all those empty coffee cups and pastry bags. If you don’t need it to start the car, it probably has a place inside your home instead. Consider investing in a backseat or trunk organizer if you travel often. While most people can see your car coming from a mile away, it’s an easy hiding place for junk and clutter.

If doing a little is still a little too much, we’re here to help

You don’t have to organize your entire space in one day; starting small can provide you with the jump start you need to get motivated. Most of the clutter in our way does not serve us any longer yet we hesitate to get rid of it for a myriad of reasons. The pandemic ending is a huge relief for many, but it could also unleash waves of anxiety as we consider welcoming our loved ones back into our personal spaces. Articles like these can provide helpful tips and tricks to get started, but if you feel overwhelmed by the level of clutter in your home and don’t know where to begin, that’s ok, too.

Reach out to us at A Clear Path and we will help get you sorted.

Are there 300,000 Things in a Home?

I didn’t begin my professional life as an organizer. Rather, I spent the bulk of my career in higher education – as a student, a professor, and an administrator. Budget cuts in 2008 led to a job lay-off at the tender age of 50. It was the beginning of the 2008 recession and the first time in my life that I couldn’t find a job. So I created one.

In those first few months of stepping foot into A Clear Path, I read everything I could put my hands on the topic of de-cluttering and organizing. One thing I remember reading impressed the hell out of me: The average household contains about 300,000 things.

In order to grow my company, I needed clients, which I found by speaking to numerous groups and organizations about clutter, and where I often referenced “300,000 things.”

I’ve asked some colleagues and a few clients to conduct informal surveys in their clients’ home or in their own home. We’ve concluded that items in homes could very well number up 300,000 if one were to count every single thing from underpants to office supplies to photographs to silverware.

I’m serious. Go room-by-room in your home, starting with the kitchen. Count:
• pots and pans and lids
• storage containers (and their lids!)
• utensils, plates, cups and bowls
• spices
• cereal boxes

You get where I’m going? Next up, do the living room.
• Books in bookcases, tsotchkies on shelves
• TV, speakers, laptops, and myriad techy stuff
• A couch, chairs, and fluffy pillows

Dining room? Where do you eat? Count chairs, a table, cupboard, and table linens. And don’t forget candle holders and candles.

I often see a lot of stuff in home offices. My clients love office supply stores, and here’s what they take home:
• Packets of Post-it Notes in several sizes and colors and shapes.
• Copy paper, envelopes, file folders, hanging file folders, boxes filled with notecards and thank you notes, and birthday cards.
• Wrapping paper.
• Tape, scissors, stapler and staples.
• This is actually a nearly endless list – but you get the drift.
• Oh, and don’t forget the box of cords.

Let’s move to the bedroom. How many pair of black pants does one need to own? Start counting:
• Shirts and blouses
• Undergarments
• Socks, shoes, purses, totes, robes, work-out clothes, jackets, belts. And all the furniture.

Don’t forget the bathroom.

And this is a small house!

I’ve often wondered if I had it in me to conduct a study about the average number of items the average household contained. If 300,000 things is where we land, it would be nice to finally put the query to bed. And I will never be out of work again.

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