Simple ADHD Decluttering Hacks
Transform Your Space with ADHD-Friendly Decluttering and Habit-Building Tips
Living with ADHD can make even the simplest organizational tasks feel overwhelming. The daily struggles of staying focused, battling distractions, and managing clutter can create an environment of constant chaos. However, with the right tools and strategies, it is possible to create an organized, functional space that works with your brain, not against it.
The key is to break tasks into small, manageable pieces and use systems that encourage consistency without overwhelming you. One helpful tool designed specifically for this purpose is the Simplify My Life 52-Card Decluttering Deck, which provides a structured yet flexible way to declutter and organize your home one step at a time. By drawing one card a week, you’re guided through achievable tasks that keep you focused and moving forward.
In this article, we’ll explore strategies tailored to ADHD, showing how to approach organization and decluttering in ways that feel manageable and even empowering. Along the way, we’ll highlight how tools like the 52-Card Deck, habit trackers, and a few ADHD-friendly organizing hacks can make a big difference, offering not just temporary fixes but long-term solutions for maintaining order in your home.
Start Small and Stay Focused
One of the biggest challenges for people with ADHD is feeling overwhelmed by large tasks, which can often lead to procrastination or abandoning the task altogether. Starting with too much at once can trigger frustration, making the prospect of organizing even harder. That’s why it’s crucial to focus on small, manageable steps that allow you to build momentum over time.
1. Break Tasks into Chunks
Instead of trying to organize an entire room in one go, break the task down into smaller areas, such as a single drawer, shelf, or corner of the room. The Simplify My Life 52-Card Deck makes this easy by offering weekly tasks that focus on specific areas. By drawing one card, you’re given a clear direction for the week, helping to narrow your focus and avoid the overwhelm that can come with large projects.
For example, instead of tackling your entire kitchen, you could focus on just the utensil drawer one week, and the pantry shelves the next. This method ensures that each step feels manageable and allows you to celebrate progress without the stress of trying to do it all at once.
Focus on just the utensil drawer one week... and the pantry shelves the next - instead of tackling the whole kitchen.
2. The Pomodoro Technique: ADHD's Best Friend
One simple yet effective method to stay on track is the Pomodoro technique, where you set a timer for 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. This technique plays to ADHD strengths by breaking down work into short, intense bursts of concentration, making it easier to complete tasks without losing focus.
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Set a timer for 25 minutes, pick one card from the deck, and work only on that task. Once the timer goes off, reward yourself with a break. If you're feeling up for it, you can set the timer again for another round.
ADHD Hack
Some people with ADHD find it helpful to use a visual timer, like a countdown clock that shows time passing, or even a time-blocking app. This gives a visual cue for how long you've been working, helping you stay in the zone.
3. Focus on One Room at a Time
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If organizing multiple rooms feels too chaotic, try focusing on just one room at a time. Set small goals for each space. For instance, choose to focus on the living room this month. Spend 10 minutes each day on a different task in that room—one day might be decluttering the coffee table, and another might be organizing bookshelves.
Visual Reminders and Accountability
For people with ADHD, the concept of “out of sight, out of mind” can be a major roadblock. When tasks or responsibilities slip from view, they often get forgotten. That’s why visual reminders are key to keeping you on track and helping you stay accountable to your goals.
4. Display Your Weekly Task
One of the great features of the 52-Card Deck is its flexibility. You can place the card you’ve drawn in a prominent location—like on your refrigerator, desk, or bathroom mirror—so it’s always in view. This serves as a gentle reminder of what you’re focusing on for the week, helping to keep the task top of mind.
ADHD Hack
Try using color-coded sticky notes or index cards in bright colors to signal important tasks. Each color can represent a different category—like blue for kitchen tasks, yellow for living room, etc. The more eye-catching the reminder, the more likely it is to grab your attention!
5. Whiteboards and Sticky Notes
Another useful method is to keep a whiteboard or sticky notes where you can jot down daily tasks related to your weekly organizing card. This way, even if you’re not actively working on the task at the moment, you have a clear reminder of what needs to be done. Digital tools like reminder apps on your phone or desktop can also be helpful, but a physical note you can see all the time may have more impact.
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Each Sunday, pick your new card for the week and place it somewhere you’ll see it daily. Pair it with a sticky note of daily steps to keep yourself accountable.
6. Use Visual Organizing Systems
ADHD Hack
When decluttering, it’s important that storage systems are visual—meaning you can see what’s inside without having to open bins or boxes. Use clear containers or open shelves to store items. Label everything clearly, so you know where things belong.
Creating Structured Routines
Building routines can be especially challenging for people with ADHD, as consistency is often difficult to maintain. However, creating a simple, structured routine around organizing can help reduce the chaos that often leads to clutter.
7. Set a Specific Time for Organizing
One way to build structure into your routine is to choose a specific time each week to draw a new card from the deck and focus on that task. For example, every Saturday morning could be designated as your organizing time. Knowing that you’ll spend a set amount of time on one specific task can make it easier to create and maintain momentum.
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Integrate the weekly organizing card into an existing routine. For example, every time you make your morning coffee, spend 10 minutes organizing based on the card’s task. This habit-stacking technique, where you pair a new habit with an existing one, helps you build consistency without it feeling like a massive effort.
Printable Habit Tracker for ADHD-Friendly Routines
For those looking to create more structure, the printable version of the 52-Card Deck includes a habit tracker, allowing you to track progress and build positive organizing habits throughout the year. This tracker encourages the development of 12 key habits to improve both your home environment and daily routine. Each habit is tied to specific cards, helping you link decluttering with habit-building.
8. Choose a Habit Each Month
At the beginning of each month, choose one of the 12 habits you’d like to build alongside your weekly organizing tasks. For example, you might focus on decluttering your workspace in January while building a habit of tidying up for 10 minutes before bed each night.
ADHD Hack
Instead of tracking multiple habits at once, focus on one or two habits at a time. ADHD brains thrive on simplicity, so pick just a couple of things to work on consistently.
Using Immediate Rewards for Motivation
Lack of motivation is a common struggle for people with ADHD, particularly when it comes to tasks that don’t offer immediate gratification. Decluttering and organizing can feel like thankless jobs that take a long time to show results, which makes it hard to stay motivated. Incorporating rewards is a great way to keep yourself motivated and engaged in the process.
9. Set Up a Reward System
For every organizing task you complete, allow yourself a small reward. The act of rewarding yourself for progress—no matter how small—helps to build positive reinforcement into the organizing process. This could be as simple as enjoying your favorite snack or taking a relaxing break after completing your weekly card.
10. Gamify Your Organizing
The 52-Card Deck can be transformed into a game. For every card completed, give yourself a point or a sticker. Once you’ve completed a certain number of cards, reward yourself with something bigger, like a night out or a new item for your home that you’ve been wanting.
ADHD Hack
Consider habit-tracking apps that let you earn points for completing tasks. Many apps are designed to gamify habit-building, which can keep ADHD users engaged and motivated.
Simplify Decision-Making
Decision paralysis is a common hurdle for people with ADHD. When you’re faced with too many choices—especially when it comes to decluttering sentimental items or belongings you’re unsure about—it can lead to feeling stuck and unable to make any progress.
11. Let the Cards Decide
By using the 52-Card Deck, you take the decision-making out of your hands. Instead of trying to decide where to start or what to focus on, the card you draw gives you a clear task for the week, simplifying the process. This eliminates the stress of decision-making and keeps you moving forward.
12. The Maybe Box Hack
If you’re struggling with whether to keep or donate certain items, set up a “maybe” box where you can place items you’re unsure about. Revisit the box after a few weeks or months. If you haven’t used the items during that time, it’s likely you can let them go.
Combat Restlessness with Movement
Physical restlessness is a common symptom of ADHD, which can make it difficult to sit still long enough to complete an organizing task. Incorporating movement into your decluttering efforts can help keep you focused and prevent boredom from setting in.
13. Work in Short Bursts
Instead of sitting for long periods of time, allow yourself to declutter in short, high-energy bursts. Set a timer for 10 minutes, tackle as much as you can during that time, and then take a short break. You can use this technique to move around the house while organizing different areas, keeping your energy levels up.
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Every 10 minutes, take a movement break—whether that’s stretching, doing a quick walk, or even dancing to your favorite song. Pairing movement with tasks can help alleviate restlessness.
Flexibility in Your Approach
Rigid schedules and strict plans often don’t work well for people with ADHD. When you feel locked into a plan that doesn’t allow for flexibility, it can lead to frustration or avoidance. That’s why it’s important to build flexibility into your organizing efforts.
14. Adjust Tasks to Match Your Energy Levels
The beauty of the 52-Card Deck is its flexibility. If you’re not feeling up to tackling a larger task one week, choose a card that addresses something smaller or easier.
ADHD Hack
Have a “low-energy task list” for the days when your energy is low. These tasks can be simple things like organizing your keys or sorting through mail. That way, you can still make progress, even on low-energy days.
15. Skip Around as Needed
The cards don’t have to be completed in a specific order. If one area of your home is too overwhelming at the moment, skip to a card that focuses on a different space. The goal is to keep moving forward, even if the path isn’t perfectly linear.
Incorporating Mindfulness and Breaks
Hyper-focus and zoning out are two common experiences for people with ADHD. It can be easy to lose track of time while deep in an organizing task, leading to burnout, or to get distracted and leave tasks unfinished. That’s where mindfulness comes in, helping you stay present and balanced throughout the process.
16. Practice Mindfulness While Organizing
As you work through your decluttering tasks, try to be fully present in the moment. Focus on the item in front of you, the task you’re completing, and how it makes you feel. Taking time to slow down and appreciate your progress can help prevent frustration and burnout.
ADHD Hack
Try using guided breathing exercises between organizing sessions. Just a few minutes of mindful breathing can help reset your focus and keep your energy up.
ADHD-Friendly Tools and Products
Here are some additional ADHD-friendly tools that can help support your decluttering journey:
17. Clear Storage Bins
For easy visibility and access to items. No more “out of sight, out of mind” issues. Use clear containers to keep track of your belongings, especially in clutter-prone areas like pantries and closets.
18. Label Makers
Clearly label bins and drawers to make it easier to maintain order. Labels create a system of accountability and remind you where everything belongs.
19. Turntables (Lazy Susans)
Turntables (also known as Lazy Susans) are fantastic ADHD-friendly tools for keeping frequently used items organized and within easy reach. They work especially well in pantries, cabinets, and countertops where small items tend to pile up. Because turntables rotate, they make it easier to see everything at once, which helps prevent the “out of sight, out of mind” issue that many people with ADHD face.
ADHD Hack
Use turntables for items that often get lost in the back of a cabinet, like spices, condiments, or small pantry essentials. By simply spinning the turntable, you’ll have immediate access to everything, keeping things organized without the need to search through cluttered shelves.
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Try using a turntable in the bathroom for toiletries or in a craft room for supplies. This keeps all your essentials visible and reduces the time spent searching for what you need.
20. Timers
Pomodoro timers are great for working in short bursts, allowing you to focus without losing track of time. Timers with visual cues, like countdown clocks, can also keep you motivated to finish a task.
Start Today and Create a Space that Works for You
Organizing with ADHD doesn’t have to be an overwhelming challenge. By breaking tasks into small steps, using visual reminders, and building flexible routines, you can create a system that works for you. The Simplify My Life 52-Card Deck offers a structured yet adaptable approach that takes the guesswork out of decluttering, allowing you to make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. When paired with helpful tools, rewards, and mindful habits, you’ll be able to create and maintain an organized space that brings peace and order to your life.
Are you ready to simplify your life? Start your decluttering journey today and take control of your space, one card at a time.
