Minimizing Is Key For ADHD-Friendly Homes
As an ADHD-er, I’ve learned that no matter how obsessed I am with a “Pinterest perfect” home organization trend (hello, rainbow organizing and decanting), I’m not going to stick with it for longer than four days unless it’s ridiculously easy. My brain needs me to develop home organization solutions that make putting my stuff away more appealing than just dropping it on the floor.
The secret? Minimizing. Less stuff = less tidying, less storing, less managing, less cleaning, less organizing, less decision fatigue, and less ADHD paralysis. It’s like a magical antidote to the visual clutter that so often plagues our ADHD minds.
When I’m surrounded by piles of belongings, my mental and emotional health suffers. But my executive functioning gives zero fricks and refuses to tidy as often as I need to. So the only realistic solution I’ve found is to have fewer things to tidy in the first place.
As I’ve learned from my ADHD home organization research, the goal is to remove items that you don’t use or love from your living space. It’s not a quick process, but you start seeing the benefits almost instantly – a huge dopamine hit and motivator for me.
Once you’ve minimized down to just the things you use or love, it’s time to organize them. Organizing is really just a fancy way of saying, “find a logical and labeled home for your belongings.” And thanks to our ADHD superpowers of creativity and originality, we’re uniquely qualified for this task.
Hacking Your Home For Easy Tidying
Okay, so we’ve minimized and organized – now how do we make the actual tidying process as quick, easy, and mindless as possible?
One of my favorite tricks is to group relevant belongings into “basics” (used every time) and “optional extras” (used when you have more energy). This way, on my low-energy days, I can just focus on the essentials without getting overwhelmed.
I also try to reduce the number of steps required to complete common routines. Imagine watching yourself complete a task from above – the goal is to minimize the distance you walk, so your footsteps would look more like a straight line than a meandering path.
Things like moving frequently used items to where you actually use them, organizing by routine, and automating steps with smart home tech can make a big difference.
The Power Of Flexible Systems
As someone with ADHD, I’ve learned that being kind to myself and planning for both my high and low energy days is crucial. On my A-game days, I’m all about the full skincare routine, adventurous weekend plans, and a spotless home. But on my Nay-game days? It’s baby wipes, cereal for dinner, and just aiming to tidy for 1 minute.
The key is building in flexibility. I like to have “basics” and “optional extras” set up for things like my shower routine, my leave-the-house checklist, and even my daughter’s bedtime routine. That way, I can still get the essentials done, even when my energy is low.
I’ve also found that having visual timers and calendars around the house are super helpful for keeping me present and on track, without relying solely on my unreliable working memory.
Weird & Wonderful ADHD Hacks
Once I’d mastered the art of minimizing, organizing, and flexible systems, I started getting really creative with my ADHD home hacks. These are some of my favorites:
Bed Baskets
With our Murphy bed and no space for bedside tables, we each have a bed basket to keep our morning and bedtime routines organized and accessible. Think: medications, skincare, chargers, remotes, and more.
His & Hers Remotes
We have a spare remote for our kingsize Murphy bed, so we don’t have to trek across the bed to change the volume when my sensory sensitivities kick in.
Shower Stool & Sad Showers
On tough days, a plastic shower stool makes showering feel so much easier. And on hormonal days, I’ll pair the stool with sad songs to have a good cry – a total game-changer.
Visual Routines
I love using dry erase markers to write my morning routine directly on the mirror. Checking things off as I go is so satisfying, and it keeps me focused.
Snack Goodie Box
To avoid meltdowns over “the wrong snack,” we keep all our daughter’s snacks in one big box that she can help herself to. Genius, right?
The possibilities are endless when it comes to tailoring your home to your unique ADHD needs. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try weird and wonderful solutions until you find what works for you.
Building A Clutter-Free Future
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my ADHD home organization journey, it’s that a perfectly tidy, Pinterest-worthy house 24/7 is not a realistic – or even desirable – goal for me. Instead, I aim for a home that’s minimized, optimized, and flexible enough to support me on both my high and low energy days.
By implementing storage hacks, flexible systems, and creative solutions, I’ve been able to transform our Aberdeen home into a space that looks after me, rather than the other way around. And while it’s still a work in progress, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter and struggling to keep your ADHD home tidy, take a deep breath and start small. Minimize mercilessly, get creative with your storage solutions, and give yourself plenty of grace. With a little bit of time and experimentation, you can create a space that truly works for you.
