Decluttering with ADHD can feel like going on a trip without a map. The journey seems too big, too overwhelming, and too easy to stop before you start. As a professional organizer, I’ve discovered some strategies that increase the possibility of not only starting the journey but coming to a happy end too. Here are five stories of people with ADHD who found success using some of my simple, ADHD-friendly strategies.

Use Zones Instead of Specific Places

Sarah, a busy teacher with ADHD, found it impossible to keep her home organized. She’d start organizing one area only to get distracted by something else, leading to half-finished projects all over her house. I suggest that Sarah think in terms of zones rather than specific places. For instance, creating a “Work Zone” for all her teaching materials, a “Relax Zone” for her books and knitting supplies, and a “Family Zone” for things her grandkids like to do when they visit. By focusing on zones, Sarah no longer feels the pressure to find the perfect spot for everything. Her home is easier to manage, and she finally feels like she has control over her space.

Work in Short Bursts by Setting a Timer

Karen, recently retired with ADHD, always struggled to keep her home clutter-free. When she retired, she figured clutter would no longer be a problem because she’d finally have time to declutter. However, it didn’t work that way. She’d start with good intentions, but after an hour or so, she’d be exhausted and overwhelmed by the mess. I advise that working in short bursts of time is much more effective. Set a timer for 20 minutes and focus on one task. When the timer goes off, take a break, refresh yourself, and tackle 10 more minutes. (If you created piles that need to be dealt with from the 20-minute session, you can use the 10-minute session to do this.) It’s amazing how much progress can be made in small, manageable chunks. Pro tip: using a timer is important because when you have ADHD, it’s easy to lose track of time.

Build in Accountability

Maria, a retiree with ADHD, has tried to declutter her garage for years. Every time she started, she quickly lost motivation and found herself back at square one. My suggestion for Maria is to use a body double. This gives Maria accountability to start decluttering and anchors her to help her maintain focus.

Embrace Your Visual Nature—But Don’t Keep Too Much

Lori, an artist with ADHD, loved keeping her supplies out where she could see them. Her studio, however, was so cluttered that she couldn’t find anything when she needed it. I don’t want Lori to change her painting style by “hiding” all her supplies (that’s what it feels like to her when everything goes in a closet or drawer). But if it’s important for her to see all her supplies and have them close by, she needs to compromise and keep only the materials she absolutely needs and uses. Placing what she does keep, the best of the best, on open shelves and creating a creative system for regularly purging items she no longer needs, gives Lori a studio she loves because she can see and access everything easily.

Celebrate Small Wins

Val, a retiree with ADHD, was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff in her home. Every time she tries to declutter, she feels like she’s getting nowhere. By implementing the four strategies above as well as some others I share, she can finally make headway. I encourage her to celebrate every small win. After each 20-minute decluttering session, she is encouraged to take a moment to acknowledge her progress. Whether it’s clearing off a table or organizing a drawer, these small victories gave Val the motivation to keep going. Over time, small wins added up, and Val is amazed at how much lighter and more organized her home feels.

These stories show that with the right strategies, decluttering with ADHD doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using zones, working in short bursts, building accountability, embracing your visual nature, and celebrating small wins, you can create a space that feels calm, organized, and peacefully yours.