How to Get Organized When You Have ADHD

Becoming and keeping organized probably isn't high on anyone's list of things to accomplish unless you're a professional organizer. But, it may be incredibly challenging for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. All the confusion and fuss in your head will make it way more difficult to keep your obligations at bay and still have some quality time for yourself. The good news is that this does not automatically rule out the possibility. Here's how to get organized when you have ADHD.

Learn to accept your chaos

First things first. In order to even begin to think about improving your organization, you need to accept your condition to the fullest. It's easy for people with no ADHD to talk about healthy habits and make lists. But, when your brain is wired differently, general rules don't apply. Yes, we can talk about making lists and setting goals, but all of that needs to be adapted to your situation. You can't really begin to think about organizing stuff in your bathroom while denying the chaos in your head. When surrounded by chaos, you need to learn to swim in it to improve, not run away and deny its existence.

Accepting that your terms of living are way more challenging for establishing any organization is tough. But it's the only way that you can make any progress. When you suppress yourself, you can only make everything worse.

Seek professional help

If you haven't seen a mental health specialist because of your ADHD, it's a good idea to come to at least one session to consult about your organizational problems specifically. Why is that?

We can give you some general guidelines, but everyone's head is different because everyone's chaos is different. Only an experienced professional can give you a recipe to follow to solve the part of your problem. A one-on-one session will reveal what path is the best for you to follow according to your personal traits.

ADHD is a health condition and should be taken seriously 

Don't forget that this is, in fact, a diagnosis and that you shouldn't take it lightly. Now you might have a problem with the organization and other skills. But, if untreated, it can escalate to severe measures. Did you know that ADHD is strongly connected to substance abuse? The chaos in the head makes it unbearable to live without chemical additives for some people, and if they avoid going to a health professional, they often give in to drugs or alcohol. Addiction recovery experts at archstonerecovery.com suggest that the best cure is prevention, and one of the best preventions is going to a therapist on time.

Limit how long you have to make a choice

People with ADHD may take days to make choices others complete in seconds. Quicken the process by establishing a deadline or financial limit. This will keep the focus and help you get organized when you have ADHD. For example, suppose you're picking a summer camp for your kid. Give yourself a deadline and do everything you can to settle on a program before then. If shopping for a new phone, choose a maximum pricing point and only consider phones within that range. Or, if you're planning on executing roof repairs, put on paper all the expenses in advance and give yourself a deadline.

Before making a choice, it's vital to zero in on what matters most to you, whether that's cost, ease of use, aesthetics, functionality, or something else. Don't consider anything else except that in making your choice.

Resist the need to overcommit

Whenever you take on a new responsibility, it's important to release an old one. For example, if you want to help out with school fundraising, you'll have to step down from your position on the neighborhood watch. Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder sometimes try to do too much. In order to make a proficient organization, that's the spot to target.

Support groups can help

The benefits of support groups extend beyond simple consolation. When it's time to do the dull stuff, like taxes or paperwork, the members may gather together online. One by one, everyone gets up from their desks, works on the project for 15 minutes, and then checks their DMs to share jokes, vent, and celebrate successes. Having a support group can be a crucial part of the healing process if you have any additional problems, such as substance abuse. When you have a long-term recovery plan, people around you can help you stay motivated and focused after substance abuse recovery.

Say farewell to long lists

Create an index card with no more than five activities written in prominent, bold characters. You may then place any more information on the reverse of the card. When you've finished those five items, use the instructions on the reverse of the card to make a new to-do list and then throw away the old one. It's a good hack for organizing essential things in your life, simple and not-so-simple ones. For example, it can be suitable for organizing your apartment or for big tasks with a long-term effect. There are so many benefits:

• your output will increase

• your mood will stabilize

• your time management skills will improve

Is it possible to get organized when you have ADHD?

It might seem unlogical and impossible to use the words "organized" and "ADHD" in one sentence and make it make sense. But, if you follow our advice, you can get organized when you have ADHD. Of course, don't put a lot of pressure on yourself, as it won't be the kind of organization you see in magazines or people with OCD. But it will surely improve that part of you, and that useful skill will help you live your life easier.

5 Easy Ways to Organize Your Dog’s Supplies

Having a dog is like having a furry family member—they bring so much joy, love and activity into your life. However, even though they are often less messy than your spouse or your kids, dogs require a lot of supplies if you want to have a clean, healthy and happy pup. So where do you put all the food, bowls, brushes and toys to avoid clutter in your home? Well, here are a few organizational tricks and tips for a clean home and well-supplied dog:

Create a shelf or drawer for walking supplies

Dogs need daily walks, even those that live in a very big yard. And all responsible dog owners use proper collars and other things when going for a walk. For the most practical approach to walkies, it’s best to dedicate some space in your hallway for collars, harnesses, leashes and muzzles. You can dedicate one hook in your hanger for your dog’s walking supplies or dedicate one drawer in the hallway closet or console. This way, you can quickly grab everything you need before stepping outside with your pup and putting all items in their place when returning home.

Create a feeding station

Breakfast and dinner are most dogs’ favorite times of the day. If your dog is also obsessed with food and snacks, make sure to provide them with a nice experience while keeping your house free of dog food. If you have a free floor cabinet in your kitchen, place a plastic container with a well-sealing lid and keep all the food in there instead of leaving it in a big bag. If there’s a drawer above the cabinet, use it for doggy treats and vitamins. When you get healthy dog treats, they smell nice, come in practical packaging that fits nicely in any drawer and can be sealed well. Still, when you keep the baggies in the drawer, your dog’s food will stay fresh for longer and you won’t notice any smells in your kitchen.

Owners who use an elevated feeder can designate space under the bowl for storing the food in a nice and stylish way. When doing the feeding, make sure to place the bowl on a special feeding mat that will prevent the bowl from sliding around and catch any spills.

Handle bathing supplies

Dogs might not be thrilled about baths, but these are necessary for their health and the cleanliness of your home. It might not be the most hygienic to give your pup baths in your family bathroom, so it’s a great idea to create a separate bath in the laundry room or mud room. A simple elevated bath with a shower is super practical and will leave your home free of bath-time mess. Above the bath, put up a simple floating shelf where you can keep all the brushes, trimmers, shampoos, detangling sprays and doggy colognes. Both laundry rooms and mud rooms are usually covered in tiles, so they are easy to clean, making them a perfect location for bathing your dog and storing bathing necessities.

Prevent toy mess

It’s hard to resist getting your dog a new toy whenever you go to your local pet center, so your pup most likely has dozens of plushies, chew toys and enrichment toys. And while it’s fun to watch your dog play with their fun entertainment, they never pick up their mess. Because you have to go after your pup when cleaning up, at least make sure to provide yourself with easy pickup and seamless storing. If your dog can roam around the house freely, put one little box in every room, so you can quickly store toys lying on the floor. It’s best to get a box without a lid, so the puppy can dig around and help themselves to their toys. With this system, you’ll easily get to see which toys are the most popular in your household. Those at the top are the favorites and those at the bottom are rarely used and can be donated to your local animal shelter.

Don’t forget about the medication

Unfortunately, our pets sometimes get sick, no matter how much we try to keep them healthy and fit. When that happens, dogs get prescription medication that needs to be taken throughout the day. Many of these meds need to be kept in a cool and dark place and away from the reach of kids, so keeping them on the kitchen counter is out of the question. The best thing you can do is dedicate one drawer in your bathroom or kitchen to store all the pet medication. This is also a great spot for your pet’s paperwork. If your drawer has an insert for easy organizing, use the space under it to keep all the paperwork together and in a safe and dry place.

It’s amazing just how many things our pets require. It’s easy for dog supplies to take over your house, so make sure to follow these organizing tips and keep all the puppy stuff under control. 

Reward your furry friend with their favorite freshly made dog food. Making sure their bellies are filled enough can help them stay off the furniture, not beg at the table, or not get into the trash. It can also be a helpful tool to redirect their attention away from something they shouldn't be doing, like chewing on a shoe or digging in the dirt. Choose a high-quality, nutritious meal that aligns with your dog's specific dietary needs.

5 Effective Organizing Hacks for Your Apartment

One of the most common challenges is keeping their apartment clean and organized. People often have a problem with clutter accumulating in their homes, which makes it difficult for them to keep their apartments clean and organized.

It is hard to clean the apartment when so many things are scattered. Some people have a lot of clothes and shoes, and finding a place for them is challenging.

Some people live in a small space, making it difficult to find room for everything. It can be challenging to organize the bathroom because there is no storage in the bathroom, and it can be challenging to manage the kitchen because of how small it is.

No matter the reason for your difficulties with keeping your apartment organized, some organizing hacks can make it easier for you to manage your apartment.

1. Apply the one-in, one-out method

The one-in and one-out method is a simple way to maintain an organized apartment. The idea is that you take out a piece of trash every time you bring new items into your room. This method is easy for people who are not very good at maintaining their homes because it doesn’t require much effort or attention.

It is a way to declutter your space by only allowing in one new item and taking out an old article. For example, if you buy new clothes, you should consider getting rid of the same number of clothes you’re buying and bringing into your home.

This method helps you organize your space by giving you a clear idea of what items are needed and which ones need to go.

2. Find storage in unlikely places.

You must have a sound storage system to have a clean and organized apartment. And while there are many storage systems available on the market today, it can be challenging to find the right one. But with a few hacks and tricks, you can transform unused space into storage that will help you organize your apartment.

Organizing your apartment can be a daunting task. Sometimes, there needs to be more space to store your belongings. But, if you look in the right places, you will find plenty of storage options.

For example, if you have a corner in the living room with a lot of unused space, you can get creative and put up some shelves to store books or decorations. You could also use this space to place some plants and create an indoor garden even.

3. Tidy up every day

Organizing hacks for your apartment is less time-consuming than you might think. It is a process you can do in small increments of time, making your home feel fresh and new every day.

According to Home Cleaning NYC apartment cleaning service NYC, one way to make it easier to keep your apartment as organized as possible is by tidying up a little daily.

The first step to organizing your apartment is to identify what organizing tasks you need to do. Then, plan how much time you have each day, and start with the most straightforward task on the list.

You don’t need to deep clean your apartment every time. However, every little cleaning you do will make it easier not to feel like your apartment is dirty or cluttered.

4. Create multipurpose rooms

One of the best ways to organize your apartment is by using multipurpose rooms. They allow you to maximize the square footage of your living space and make it easier for you to store items.

Another great hack is to use furniture with drawers or shelves that are wide enough so that you can use them as storage units for books, clothes, and other items. This hack will save a lot of space in your room because you won’t have too many things on the floor anymore.

5. Move your things to meet your needs.

One of the best ways to organize your apartment is by moving your things to meet your needs. When you move items around, you will see that it is easier than you thought it would be.

If you want to organize your apartment, try these hacks

• Put all the furniture in one place, and move them around until they are in the right spot. This way, they won’t get in the form of anything else and will make more sense to you.

• Take everything out of a room and put it back differently. This step will give you a fresh perspective on how everything should go together when you finish organizing.

• Label all of the boxes so that they are easy to find when you need them again later on

With the proper positioning of some items in your apartment, you might find it easier to move around and live comfortably in your apartment after.

These organizing hacks for your apartment can make it easier to not only start organizing your apartment but also make it easier to maintain that organized state. Apply these hacks for yourself so that you don’t have to feel like you’re claustrophobic in your apartment.

Common Mistakes People Make With Their Smaller Home

There’s a lot to love about big homes, but they are a lot to manage. Instead, many people opt for something a little smaller and cozier. Still, they make some mistakes that leave them unhappy. Continue reading to learn which common mistakes people make with their smaller homes that you must avoid.

Bad Organization and Too Much Clutter

These two points go hand in hand; without proper organization, you will end up with a lot of unnecessary items. Clutter is your worst nightmare in a small home, but organization will be your best friend who keeps that nightmare at bay. Many first-time homeowners fail to implement a proper organization system when they move in. Slowly but surely, their home ends up full of junk. Organization is essential for small homes because it keeps everything in easy-to-reach places that aren’t out in the open for everyone to see or stumble over. To start organizing, you must:

• Declutter regularly

• Learn to maximize vertical space

• Create a “home” for every item

• Determine what you need and what’s non-essential

With these organization tips, you can keep the clutter at bay and enjoy all the positives a small home brings you!

Not Taking Advantage of the Outdoors

One mistake that is incredibly common to make, both for big and small house owners, is neglecting the outdoors. While it can happen to everyone, it’s an even bigger problem for small homeowners. Embracing the outdoors is one part of single-story home designs you can’t go without. Mansions have countless rooms and amenities to explore, so it’s possible you won’t go outside every day.

Sadly, you don’t get this luxury with a small home, which is why the outdoors is critical to your home design. You may spend time on your patio, build a fire pit to hang out with friends, and even create a garden. One of the joys of a single-story home is having the outdoors right there; you should take advantage of that as best as you can.

Bringing Everything Over

This point goes along with the organization mistake, but you cannot understate its importance. For many homeowners, a smaller home is a downsize. They’ve lived in a bigger home and are choosing to go somewhere smaller and cozier, but they try to bring all of their stuff with them. This is a recipe for disaster because your new home will feel cramped, you’ll have things everywhere, and you’ll lack the room to expand.

If you want to live life to the fullest in your smaller home, you need to do a little downsizing before you move. You should trade out some of your furniture and determine what is essential in your new home. For example, if you’re not the biggest cook, consider bringing fewer dishes, pots, and different ingredients. Doing so will give you more space for what you enjoy, whether it’s reading, arts and crafts, music, or anything in between.

People make many simple mistakes with their smaller homes, leaving them with a cramped space and none of what makes it great. Learn how to avoid these mistakes so you can live life to the fullest in your small home!