7 Ways to Clear Out Clutter When You Have ADHD

Clearing out clutter is tough for most people. It can be especially tough when you have ADHD. For instance, the distractibility and forgetfulness may mean you’re regularly misplacing items and then replacing them, which means you end up with duplicates in strange, random spots, said Bonnie Mincu, a senior certified ADHD coach who was diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s. You might have a hard time deciding what to do with the clutter—and simply give up. “The path of least resistance is to just keep everything and not worry about where to put it,” Mincu said. It’s also hard to know where to start and how to start. It’s easy to get bored, which can impede your ability to focus. (In his book, Delivered from Distraction, ADHD expert Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., describes his own experience with boredom as “like being asphyxiated.” Psychiatrist William W. Dodson noted that if a “task is boring, it is a neurologic impossibility to stay on task.” See more here.) You might’ve tried many, many organizing and clutter-cutting tips from magazines and websites. But nothing has worked. You’ve tried to tackle the toughest clutter first, but you can’t even get started. You’ve tried to purge ruthlessly, but you ended up with piles and piles of stuff around your house—with no energy to actually organize them. Many conventional organizing tips aren’t helpful for adults with ADHD (e.g., it’s better for you to start with something pleasant or relatively easy). Below, Min...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: ADHD and ADD Disorders General Mental Health and Wellness Motivation and Inspiration Self-Help Stress Success & Achievement ADHD tips ADHD-friendly strategies anxiety attention Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Bonnie Minc Source Type: blogs