How Can an Organizer Help Someone Who Has ADHD?
If you live with ADHD, it really is a superpower. You’re hilarious, probably always down for a fun experience, and your storytelling is super entertaining. You’re most likely insanely creative and come up with ideas I wouldn’t even imagine. I would know- my husband has been diagnosed with ADHD!
We met at Kent State University. He was an art kid skater boy (figures) I said see ya later boy and I was a type A middle childhood education major with straight As to match. I knew he was messy but didn’t think much of it at the time (lol). Now we look back and laugh at all the signs there were that I would end up as a professional organizer and he a digital artist/UX designer. We just couldn’t be more opposite! And when it comes down to organizing, we really could not be more different.
Since he *cough* struggles *cough* with getting and staying organized and I don’t, I invited him to do an interview to give us some insight into his perspective- how can an organizer help someone with ADHD?
What’s it like to stay organized as someone with ADHD?
Hanna: How does ADHD impact your day-to-day organization at home or in your workspace?
Micah: Being neurodivergent makes it incredibly challenging to stay on top of everyday clutter. Without clear, simple systems in place, everything just seems to pile up. You end up with things that don’t belong together shoved into random piles. And the problem is, you trick yourself into thinking it’s ‘clean’ because it’s out of sight, but in reality, it’s just organized chaos. For me, I’ll end up losing things like my phone, wallet, or keys because I never fully complete the process of putting them away—something else always grabs my attention before I’m done.
H: What areas of your home or life feel the most overwhelming or difficult to keep organized?
M: The garage is one of the hardest areas to organize for me. It’s this catch-all for so many different types of items—tools, sports gear, random household things—and I just rush in there, do what I need to do, and leave. Since it’s closed off from the rest of the house, I don’t feel the urgency to clean up after myself, so things just pile up. Other areas that overwhelm me include dishes, which feel like a never-ending battle, and my kids’ toys, which seem to take over the house faster than I can manage.
H: What strategies have you tried in the past to stay organized, and how successful were they?
M: Over the years, I’ve tried so many different strategies to stay organized, but none of them have really stuck. I’ve bought planners and started them, but I can never maintain the habit consistently. I’ve also set reminders on my phone and made notes in the notepad app on my computer. I’ve even scattered sticky notes everywhere, but none of it works unless I do it consistently, which is hard for me. I think the biggest struggle is finding something that’s easy enough to keep doing every day without feeling like a chore.
H: Do you find it difficult to maintain routines or follow through with organizing systems?
M: I’ve found that once I get into the rhythm of using a system, it becomes second nature, but that initial setup is key. For example, when I come home from work, I’ve gotten used to putting my shoes in a certain spot, hanging up my bag, and dropping my keys and wallet in a dish by the door. It helps that the system fits into my natural flow—it’s easy to use because it’s right there where I need it. If I’m in a rush or distracted, like when my kid is upset, I might drop things randomly, but otherwise, it’s become a habit. It’s crucial to have systems that are easy and accessible, placed in spots where you naturally pass by.
H: What organizational tools (like planners, apps, or reminders) have you used that were helpful?
M: When I actually use my planner consistently, it makes a huge difference. It helps me clear my head and get all those tasks and to-dos out of my brain and onto paper. That way, I’m not carrying around that mental load all day. ADHD makes it really hard to juggle everything in your mind, so having a system, like a planner, helps break that cycle. But the key is having a planner that fits your needs and using it regularly, which is where I tend to struggle—staying consistent.
How can getting organized make someone with ADHD feel?
H: How do you feel when a space is disorganized versus when it’s organized?
M: When things are disorganized, it creates this underlying tension that builds up over time. It might seem like a small thing at first, but before long, I’m feeling stressed and frustrated because I can’t find something, especially when I’m trying to get out the door. I end up running from room to room, cursing under my breath, and it just spirals from there. On the flip side, when things are organized, it’s like a weight has been lifted. I feel that the the energy spent cleaning up and taking care of things and putting them back where they belong is well worth it because I have peace of mind before I go into the next thing. There’s this sense of peace and control—everything is where it belongs, and I can focus on what I need to do without all that background stress.
H: Do you prefer a more structured approach to organization or a flexible one?
M: While I’m generally pretty unstructured in my day-to-day life, I’ve found that having structure in my organizing systems is actually really important. It provides a sense of stability and balance that contrasts with the chaos of everything else. When my home is structured and organized, it gives me a foundation to work from, so I don’t feel like everything is constantly spinning out of control. Having that structure in one area of my life makes it easier to manage the unpredictability of everything else.
H: How does clutter or disorganization affect your ability to focus or be productive?
M: Even though you might not notice it in the moment, clutter definitely affects your ability to focus. It’s like this underlying tension that builds up, and you don’t realize how much stress it causes until you finally clean up. The disorganization makes it harder to relax and concentrate, even if you don’t consciously realize it. When things are in their rightful place, though, there’s this sense of harmony in the space that helps you focus better. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that supports your mental state.
How would someone with ADHD benefit from organizing services?
H: What type of support do you think would help you stay on track after an organizing session?
M: For me, the key to staying organized is having systems that are super easy to use. The easier it is, the less time and effort I have to put into it. It’s not that I don’t want to be organized—I just don’t have the time or energy to constantly be decluttering or putting things away. If there’s a good system in place, it takes me a lot less time to tidy up, and I don’t feel as overwhelmed by the process. For example, having a designated place to throw shoes and bags when I walk in the door makes it so much easier to stay on top of things.
H: What are your biggest hopes or goals for working with an organizer?
M: What I’m really hoping to get out of working with an organizer is the support to help me make decisions about what to keep and what to let go of. The mental energy it takes to sort through items, especially things I’ve had for a long time or feel emotionally attached to, is exhausting. I tend to get stuck in indecision, and having someone there to guide me through that process would make a huge difference. It’s not just about decluttering; it’s about having someone else’s perspective to help me think clearly and make those tough decisions.
Final Thoughts
Thank you Micah for making this such a special post. He made it pretty clear that getting and staying organized can be a challenge for him. But he finds both of those are made easier when easy, accessible systems are created and taught to him. From there, developing a daily habit to maintain those systems can become a reality, even with a toddler running around, destroying everything you do. 😉 In addition, he was adamant that those most challenging part of it all is decluttering, and that it’s best to partner with a professional in order to tackle that part of the process.
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