ADHD and Spring Cleaning: 10 Survival Tips

5/ 8/08 11:43am

has anyone else ever felt like you have to be in" a mood" to clean? but then you wait for it to hit you and it never does. i remember when i was younger i would get into cleaning at anytime and really go to it and get it done right! now that i'm older, eventho it embarrasses me for anyone to see the mess i'v let my nouse get into, i cannot get myself to get into the mood to clean. EVER! WHY IS THAT?

Terry Matlen, ACSW, Health Guide

5/10/08 12:37am

Oh yes!

I'm missing a cleaning/organizing gene.

When things pile up too high, it only gets harder to tackle.

I lower my standards and accept that things will never look picture perfect. I choose clutter zones and clutter-free zones. For example, I try to keep my kitchen and family room presentable, but forget the upstairs.

There are some strategies that I find helpful, like having a to-do list and putting aside time to do things, but only for say, 15 minutes. Otherwise, I get overwhelmed.

Medication can do wonders, as well.

I also advocate hiring a professional organizer to help you set up systems. I've done that in the past and the money was ell worth it.

Hope this helps-!

Terry

chattycathy

5/ 8/08 11:43am

has anyone else ever felt like you have to be in" a mood" to clean? but then you wait for it to hit you and it never does. i remember when i was younger i would get into cleaning at anytime and really go to it and get it done right! now that i'm older, eventho it embarrasses me for anyone to see the mess i'v let my nouse get into, i cannot get myself to get into the mood to clean. EVER! WHY IS THAT?

chattycathy

5/ 8/08 11:43am

has anyone else ever felt like you have to be in" a mood" to clean? but then you wait for it to hit you and it never does. i remember when i was younger i would get into cleaning at anytime and really go to it and get it done right! now that i'm older, eventho it embarrasses me for anyone to see the mess i'v let my nouse get into, i cannot get myself to get into the mood to clean. EVER! WHY IS THAT?

chattycathy

5/ 8/08 11:44am

has anyone else ever felt like you have to be in" a mood" to clean? but then you wait for it to hit you and it never does. i remember when i was younger i would get into cleaning at anytime and really go to it and get it done right! now that i'm older, eventho it embarrasses me for anyone to see the mess i'v let my nouse get into, i cannot get myself to get into the mood to clean. EVER! WHY IS THAT? discussted with myself. what can i do to get myslef into that mood again?

Priscilla Galat

5/13/08 5:18pm

I find the best way for me to get organizing stuff done is to decide to do it first thing in the morning before the family is up and do it only for 20-40 minutes and do one shelf or one drawer or one box at a time. But I only do it 5 days a week and refuse to allow myself to worry about stuff like cleaning and organizing on the week end -

After I do a box or whatever - I put a label inside with the date it was done - on clear temperature resistant plastic mailing type tape (The best tape comes off easily when you need to relabel! )- also I label the outside of these boxes with this tape using a magic marker and covering the printing with another piece of tape to keep it looking good.

After doing a bit of organizing like this - I still feel good and happy to see progress but not be overwhelmed: and I often give myself a treat of a couple ounces of cottage cheese and a serving of fruit and nuts - I find it fun to organize and clean up the larger projects in my home this way. Perhaps this may be something that others are already doing or may try. And I do have ADD

melijack

5/11/12 9:07am

let alone deep Spring Cleaning, may not be an area of strength for us. Our ADHD symptoms prevent us from just jumping in and knowing how to attack the many chores needing to be done. Thanks for shring a good piece of info its really worthful article.

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