Ever considered asking for a clean house instead of gifts for your birthday? That's exactly what I did for my 50th, and despite my mother's horror, those few hours of help made a world of difference. This deeply personal admission opens our conversation about why maintaining our living spaces matters, especially for those of us with ADHD.

The struggle is real—executive function challenges can make housekeeping feel like an uphill battle. But here's the truth: you deserve to live in a safe, comfortable environment. Throughout this episode, I share practical strategies that actually work with our ADHD brains rather than against them. From finding accountability partners to gamifying cleaning tasks, these approaches make maintenance feel less overwhelming. My "plus one" method—handling everything you used today plus just one additional item—can gradually transform your space without triggering avoidance.

When things get truly overwhelming, I recommend prioritizing health and safety first: clear pathways for emergency access, a clean shower to prevent mold, an uncluttered bed for quality sleep, and a safe kitchen to prevent accidents and illness. And don't miss my "one-dish solution"—the surprising approach that finally broke my endless dirty dish cycle and taught me that "the fewer things you have to take care of, the easier it is to take care of everything you have." This principle has revolutionized my approach to housekeeping with ADHD. If what you're doing now isn't working, don't give up—try something different. Your future self will thank you for the effort. Subscribe, like, or follow to catch new episodes every Tuesday!

Struggling with clutter and chaos as an ADHD adult? You're not alone—and it doesn't have to stay that way.

Most organizing advice simply doesn't work for ADHD brains. We need strategies that acknowledge our need for stimulation, our inconsistent focus, and our unique processing styles. That's why traditional cleaning methods often leave us frustrated rather than fulfilled.

This episode unpacks practical, ADHD-tailored approaches to tackling messy spaces without overwhelming yourself. From turning cleaning into a game (yes, wearing a belly dancing skirt while vacuuming counts!) to strategically organizing cleaning sessions with clear stopping points, these methods work with your neurodivergent brain rather than against it.

You'll learn essential rules for ADHD-friendly cleaning: ensuring you can pause without creating more chaos, starting with quick wins like clearing dishes and trash, and properly labeling sorted items so you can seamlessly resume later. I share specific techniques for approaching overwhelming spaces, including the category method (perfect when you have limited time) and the zone method (ideal for visible progress).

The key insight? Even small, consistent improvements add up over time. You don't need to transform your entire living space in one marathon session. Instead, clear manageable areas, maintain what you've accomplished, and gradually expand your efforts.

Whether you have five minutes or five hours to dedicate to organizing, these strategies can help you create meaningful change in your environment—without the shame, guilt, or frustration that often accompanies cleaning with ADHD. Subscribe, follow, or like to catch next Tuesday's episode, where I'll dive into how to maintain the progress you've made and prevent backsliding into chaos.

If you have ADHD, your struggle with clutter probably isn't laziness—your brain works differently and needs systems that accommodate your unique processing style. I share my personal journey from a space so chaotic I couldn't let friends use my bathroom to developing sustainable ADHD-friendly organization strategies.

• Traditional organization methods often fail for people with ADHD because they don't account for executive function challenges
• Every item needs a designated spot that's visually accessible—use open shelves, clear bins, and labels
• Organize by three principles: point of performance, keeping related items together, and minimizing steps
• Having multiples of frequently used items in different rooms dramatically improves tidiness
• Customize your space based on your specific challenges—my bedroom reorganization solved my lifelong clothing chaos
• Use the "scientific method" approach: try strategies, observe results, keep what works, and discard what doesn't

Join me next Tuesday when I'll talk about strategies to get control over your belongings.