Staying Organized Despite AD/HD

If those with AD/HD manage to overcome the initial hurtle of getting organized, they are immediately faced with a second - staying organized. Recently, we talked about organizational strategies; today, we will discuss how to stay organized.

You’ve just organized an area, so how do you keep it that way? First, realize that paper is the enemy. So many of us horde away various notes, newspapers, magazines, bills, etc. If you’re going to stay organized, you’ve got to eliminate the paper clutter. Do this by immediately throwing away all junk mail, unneeded notes, etc. If you receive a bill in the mail, pay it immediately, then file it away. Even better, help the environment and eliminate clutter by signing up for online bill-pay. You can also call the companies that send all those unwanted catalogs and opt out of the mailing list.

Next, make space-saving storage bins your best friends. Purchase stacked drawers so you can store up and not just across the space you're working with; once, while living in an apartment, I even draped a table cloth over my file-cabinet style storage drawers and used them as a makeshift stand for my fish aquarium. Organizers that hang from the backs of doors are also a great way to inconspicuously store things like shoes, jewelry, accessories, makeup, etc. I like to store some of my least used items (e.g. Christmas decorations) in long, thin plastic containers under my bed. Either way you do it, try to pack storage containers with similar items (e.g. arts and crafts materials, clothing/ accessories, holiday decorations, etc.) - if you randomly jumble things together, you'll never be able to find what you need. Also, try to store containers with similar items close together. Where appropriate, label the outside of the storage containers with the types of items they hold. If, like many individuals with AD/HD, you constantly lose important items (e.g. keys, wallet, phone), keep a small basket in a conspicuous location (e.g. near the door, on the kitchen cabinet) to place these necessary, yet easy to lose items.


Finally, continue to maintain your newly organized area. If you see something out of place, pick it up and put it where it belongs. Instead of throwing your clothes on the floor at the end of the day, put them in a clothes hamper until you have enough for a full wash load. You should set aside five to ten minutes each day just to tie up these little loose ends. You need to nip the clutter in the bud before it can become a problem again; otherwise, you're back to square one.

Information taken from www.help4adhd.org