How To Organize Your Stuff
Description: In this episode, Melissa and Maribeth (from ADD Professionals) offer tips for organization when life gets too full of "stuff."
Written Transcript
ADHDers often complain that their lives are so disorganized – often referring to the mess their “stuff” is in. It is hard to stay organized when we are constantly fighting the “stuff”, trying to find things. However, it is also true that when our “stuff” is organized everything seems much easier.
Here are a few tips to help you get that “stuff” organized. Take it a little at a time, and you will get there!
Pace Yourself: Set a time limit or a task limit each time you tackle your “stuff”
Don’t try to do it all at once. You will become overwhelmed and quit. Set a deadline. “I’m going to organize the top of my desk by the end of today. Take breaks. After each chunk of organizing, stop for awhile, enjoy the view and reward yourself. A little bit at a time, day after day, will get you there!
Body Double: Often times we do better when we are performing for someone. If we have a friend with us to help, we always do an amazing job! If you cannot have this “body double” actually with you, imagine someone who will, sometime soon, see what a good job you have done. For example, imagine showing your organized space to an important friend next time they are there. Work with them in mind.
Hit the Hot Spots First: We all have areas that drive us crazy. Do those first and you will become really motivated to do the next job. It might be your car, your closet, your desk, your purse, your brief case, your kitchen counter, your dining room table or your laundry room. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel by just organizing these key areas!
Reduce Visual Clutter: Clutter creates visual stress by overloading the stimuli in your environment. Have a drawer, trunk or box that you can move things to until you can get to them. Or, just cover them up for awhile. Then, when the space “looks” clean you will feel more in control.
The 3- Box System: When you are organizing, put things in three boxes
- Keep – put it in its place.
- Trash – get the bags full and toss them!
- Give Away – someone else may need it. Let them store it.
There, that wasn’t so hard. Once your “stuff” is organized, it is easy to keep it that way. It is a great investment in feeling so much better – every day!