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Tips for Organizing with ADHD

  • Writer: elysianorganizing
    elysianorganizing
  • Jun 5
  • 3 min read

If you’ve ever looked around your space and thought, “Where do I even begin?”—you’re not alone. For those of us with ADHD, organizing can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and sometimes even impossible. But I’m here to tell you: it’s not about being “lazy” or “messy. ”It’s about designing systems that work with your brain, not against it.


As a professional organizer who specializes in ADHD-friendly systems, here are my favorite tips to help you get—and stay—organized in a way that’s actually sustainable.




1. Start Small. Seriously.


Forget the Pinterest-perfect before-and-after shots for now. Your only goal is to take one small step—even if that’s just clearing off a single chair or sorting one junk drawer. ADHD brains respond well to quick wins, so choose a task that can be finished in 15 minutes or less to build momentum.



2. Use Visual Cues


Out of sight = out of mind. Hiding everything in bins behind cabinet doors might work for some people, but for ADHD brains, it can lead to forgotten items and chaos behind closed doors. Instead, use:

• Clear bins

• Open shelving

• Labels you can actually see at a glance


Don’t be afraid to keep some things visible—it’s not clutter if it’s functional.



3. Create Drop Zones


You don’t have to fight your natural tendencies—design for them. If you always throw your keys on the kitchen counter, don’t force yourself to walk across the house to a “proper” spot. Just create a small tray or basket where you naturally drop things.


Designated drop zones = less mess, less stress.



4. Declutter First, Then Organize


Organizing before decluttering is like putting a Band-Aid on a flood. ADHD brains often struggle with decision fatigue, so tackling decluttering in short, focused bursts (set a timer!) can help reduce overwhelm.


Start with one category (like t-shirts or mugs), and ask:

• Do I use this?

• Do I love this?

• Is this worth the space it takes up?


If not—let it go.



5. Make It Easy to Put Away


The hardest part of maintaining organization is putting things back. So make that process ridiculously easy:

• Use large, unlidded bins

• Minimize the number of steps (don’t make yourself open a drawer and a container)

• Store items where you use them


Your system should be effortless to maintain, not just pretty to look at.



6. Use Timers, Music, and Body Doubling


Need help getting started? Try:

• A 15-minute timer to beat procrastination

• A favorite playlist or podcast to boost dopamine

• A body double—a friend or virtual accountability buddy who just sits with you while you work


These tools turn organizing into an experience instead of a chore.



7. Give Yourself Grace


ADHD is not a moral failing. The fact that you’re here, reading this, and looking for strategies that work for your brain means you’re already taking powerful steps forward. Organizing isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about building a life that supports you.



Final Thought:


There is no one-size-fits-all system. What matters is that your space makes sense to you. Whether that means color-coded bins or a “clean clothes chair,” you deserve a home that feels manageable, comforting, and supportive of your unique brain.


If you’re ready for a judgment-free, ADHD-informed approach to getting organized, I’d love to help. Contact me for a consultation or follow along on social for more real-life organizing tips.

 
 
 

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Elysian Organizing services | Professional Organizer

(224) 661-1338

elysianorganizing@gmail.com

 

Providing professional home organizing, decluttering, packing & unpacking, and many other organizing services to the Baltimore metropolitan and surrounding areas.

Providing professional home organizing services in:

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