Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD, 3rd Edition: Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and Get Organized

by Susan C. Pinsky

8. Routine. If the household has a routine of bill-paying Monday, laundry Tuesday, or nightly kitchen clean-up, then nobody must go through the mental energy of picking a time for regular weekly projects. Everyone will know what to expect

themselves.

pause to put the date you will DO the project on your calendar (preferably within the week). If the project doesn’t get done, reschedule it, so those supplies stay on your radar.

My husband called our eldest daughter “the Randomizer” (said with a superhero sing song) because when we couldn’t find something, and would ask our daughter if she had moved it, while she may (or may not!) have done so, it would have often been in a moment of distraction and so she would not necessarily remember. She would laugh and say, “Maybe—I don’t know!” And then we would all laugh and sing “The Randomizer Strikes Again!” Because we all found it funny, and no blame, anger, or shame was assigned, we didn’t create a family drama of accusation, recriminations, and belittlement. The item may or may not be found, but that would be the case whether we are all laughing and loving or resenting and shaming. I’d rather live with the laughter—wouldn’t you?

We should only buy items for which we have an imminent plan or need.

an item of clothing is not yet ready for the laundry, then put it back in the drawer or bin. Do not worry that the lightly soiled clothing will “infect” the clean clothes. Instead worry that piles of lightly worn clothes will infect the bedroom with clutter.